Such was my own opinion at the time, but the result showed
the wisdom or good fortune of the selection that was made. Mr.
Phillips was a man of education, a merchant by profession, and a
gentleman who enjoyed the confidence of the public. He was an Anti-
Slavery man upon principle, but his intellectual movements were slow,
and his power as a forensic speaker was moderate only.
In January, 1851, when these events were occurring, the prospects of
the National Democratic Party had improved. The Henshaw wing of the
party in Massachusetts were anticipating a success in 1852. Mr.
Webster had made his famous and fatal speech on the 7th of March, 1850.
President Taylor had died, and Mr. Fillmore was President. He had
reorganized the Cabinet and endorsed the Compromise Measures, and
finally the Whig Party was divided, hopelessly. In this condition of
affairs, Greene and Hallett entered upon a vigorous opposition to the
election of Sumner. The Boston _Post_ called upon the Democratic
members of the House to oppose his election. About twenty-eight
members known as "old hunkers" followed the lead of the _Post._ After
a long contest Mr. Sumner was elected by a single vote. As far as I
know, Mr. Sumner was not a party to any arrangement as to a division of
the offices, and I am sure that I was never consulted upon the subject.
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