In reality, Sumner was pressed heavily to support the Liberal Republican move to defeat President Grant.  The senator’s concern for his own failing health and his urgent desire to secure congressional passage of civil rights and amnesty legislation left him little time or inclination to participate in the Cincinnati movement.  In addition, he feared it could only injure his most cherished objectives if the liberals aligned later with the Democrats.  Sumner, however, opposed the president’s expansionist foreign policy and declared publicly that Grant was unfit for renomination.  Finally, on July 29, 1872, Sumner wrote an open letter to black voters, asking them to support the Greeley ticket.  He then left the country for a vacation in Europe.