WASHINGTON, June 4, 1860.
We have just had a four hours speech from Sumner on the “Barbarism of Slavery.” In a literary point of view it was of course excellent. As a bitter, denunciatory oration, it could hardly be exceeded in point of style and finish. But, to me, many parts of it sounded harsh, vindictive, and slightly brutal. It is all true that slavery tends to barbarism, but Mr. Sumner furnishes no remedy for the evils he complains of. His speech has done the Republicans no good. Its effect has been to exasperate the Southern members, and render it utterly impossible for Mr. Sumner to exercise any influence here for the good of his State. Mr. C. F. Adams made a manly, statesmanly speech in the House of Representatives, four days ago, which was attentively listened to by everybody. He read it, as did Mr. Sumner his.
Mr. Seward is now here, and made a speech in Executive session the other day on the Mexican Treaty, that to my view showed more intellectual vigor than did his speech which you heard. His speech to which I refer was short, extemporaneous, and very able, converting almost the whole Senate to his views.
The nomination of Lincoln strikes the mass of the people with great favor. He is universally regarded as a scrupulously honest man, and a genuine man of the people.
SOURCE: William Salter, The Life of James W. Grimes, p. 127-8
Some other news of the time in various newspapers”
June 3, 1860. Daily National Democrat, Marysville, California. Comments about Buchannan fighting against Douglas’s nomination and where the Democrat Party’s strength lies.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84038814/1860-06-03/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=06%2F03%2F1860&sort=&date2=06%2F03%2F1860&words=Democrat+Democratic+South&language=&sequence=0&lccn=&index=1&state=&rows=20&ortext=republican+democrat+south&proxtext=&year=&phrasetext=&andtext=&proxValue=&dateFilterType=range&page=1
June 4, 1860. Daily Exchange, Baltimore, Md. Indian attack in Nevada.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83009573/1860-06-04/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=06%2F04%2F1860&index=3&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=Indians&proxdistance=5&date2=06%2F04%2F1860&ortext=indians+savages&proxtext=&phrasetext=&andtext=&dateFilterType=range&page=1
June 4, 1860. The Press and Tribune, Chicago. Slaves as property. Effect of Squatter Sovereignty.
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014511/1860-06-04/ed-1/seq-2/#date1=06%2F04%2F1860&index=0&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=Canada+Douglas+Slave+slave+slavery+Slavery+Slaves+slaves+squatter&proxdistance=5&date2=06%2F04%2F1860&ortext=SQUATTER+Canada+slavery+slave+Douglas&proxtext=&phrasetext=&andtext=&dateFilterType=range&page=1