The result was a humiliating exhibition of weakness, personal abuse, and vindictiveness on their part.
There was a conspiracy of silence on the slavery question in 1852.

Each of the national parties was definitely committed to the support of the compromise and especially to the faithful observance of the Fugitive Slave Law.

Free-soilers had distinctly declined in numbers and influence during the four preceding years.

Only a handful of members in each House of Congress remained unaffiliated with the parties whose platforms had ordained silence on the one issue of chief public concern.

It was by a mere accident in Massachusetts politics that Charles Sumner was sent to the Senate as a man free on all public questions.
While the parties were making their nominations for the Presidency, Sumner sought diligently for an opportunity in the Senate to give utterance to the sentiments of his party on the repeal of the Fugitive Slave Act.