This was followed by an editorial article sustaining and vindicating Mr. Sumner’s bill. It began:—
“Yes. Mr. Sumner has our vote. He has always had it; he is always likely to have it. ‘How did Roger Sherman vote?’ asked our forefathers. They believed it was safe to vote with Roger Sherman. It is just as safe to vote with Charles Sumner.”
After explanation and argument, the article proceeds:—
“Not only is Mr. Sumner right as to the power of Congress in the present case, but long ago he was right as to the power of Congress to govern the unconstitutional States as conquered provinces. He then stood almost alone in the Senate in an opinion which he has since seen adopted by his brother Senators. We trust his compeers will agree to his present bill. We happen to know that Thaddeus Stevens—who, even when sick, is more well than most men—is preparing, on his sick-bed, an argument in support of Mr. Sumner’s plan. We happen to know, also, that Chief Justice Chase agrees with Mr. Sumner’s view.”
CELEBRATION AT ARLINGTON, ON ASSUMING ITS NEW NAME.
Speech at a Dinner in a Tent, June 17, 1867.
West Cambridge, originally part of Cambridge, Massachusetts, assumed the name of Arlington, with the consent of the Legislature. The change was celebrated in the town by a public dinner in a tent.