We say ominous silence, because we can only recognize it as something fearfully ominous,--ominous of mischief,--ominous of the revival in this capital and throughout the country of the Slavery agitation, with a tenfold bitterness compared with any previous stirring up of the fountains of bitter waters.
Here, Sumner expresses his belief that the silence in the Senate was a foreboding sign of renewed conflict over slavery in the nation.
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More from Charles Sumner
Consent of the governed necessary in forming new governments of, XII. 298.
Slave Power, necessity of political action against the, II. 207.
Slavery and the: speech in New York, XI. 433.
Disunion no remedy for grievances of, VII. 33.
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