The town of Fall River was represented by Whigs; but it was a community where there was a strong anti-slavery feeling.

A town-meeting was called by the friends of Mr.
Sumner, and a motion made to instruct their representatives, according to the right of the people declared in the constitution of Massachusetts, to vote for Sumner.

An earnest and eloquent speech in favor of the resolution was made by Robert T.Davis, a young Quaker, since a distinguished member of Congress.
The resolution was carried, which Mr.Borden, one of the Representatives from Fall River, obeyed.

The result was Sumner's election by a single vote.
As stated in the preceding chapter, I was a member in 1852 of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, then consisting of about four hundred and twenty members.

It was, I think, as admirable a body of men for the training of a public speaker as I ever knew.