Though he took full advantage of the privilege, he also felt frustrated by it. “From early morning till late at night I see nothing but the contests of politicians & the incapacity of men in power,” he lamented to a friend. “I long for my old place in Opposition, free, open, unembarrassed.” Sumner always had a distaste for the politicking and backroom deals that were necessary for any politician. Although he was occasionally successful on the inside, he thrived best when he could use his thundering voice on the outside.
