The occasion will be of special interest. It would be pleasant to sit at feast with so many, who, as Authors, adorn our national name. And it would be pleasant also to be the guest of those active, enlightened, and generous Publishers who do so much for Authors. But I must forego this luxury. Only in “bare imagination” can I enjoy it. At your table there will be an aggregation of various genius and talent constituting a true _Witenagemote_, which may justly gratify an honest pride of country. Grateful as this may be as a token of power, it will be more grateful still as a token of that concord growing among men in all the relations of life. The traditional feud between Authors and Publishers promises to lose itself in your Festival, even as the traditional feud between England and France is absorbed in the welcome of Victoria by Louis Napoleon. This is beautiful. And the whole scene, where differing Authors commingle under auspices of differing Publishers, will be an augury of that permanent coöperation and harmony which will secure to the pen its mightiest triumphs. It is in honor of the pen that the company will be gathered together. If any word of mine be expected, please let me offer the following sentiment. _The Pen of the Author_,--Exposing error, defending truth, instructing the ignorant, cheering the unhappy, while charming and animating _all_, it can do better than the Sword, and will yet receive from the world a higher praise. Believe me, dear Sir, Very faithfully yours, CHARLES SUMNER. G. P. PUTNAM, Esq. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN NEW YORK. LETTER TO A NEW YORK COMMITTEE, OCTOBER 7, 1855. BOSTON, October 7, 1855. GENTLEMEN,--Your summons addressed to me at Newport was forwarded to me at this place. I wish I could be at your proposed meeting, but I cannot. Accept my best wishes for the Republican party of New York, which you represent. Among the multitudes already rallying spontaneously in this bodyguard of Freedom my presence cannot be needed. The infant Hercules strangled the serpents in his cradle, and the new party, just born, gives token of a like precocious strength. Believe me, Gentlemen, very respectfully yours, CHARLES SUMNER. E. D. MORGAN, LUMAN SHERWOOD, CHARLES W. ELLIOTT, Esqrs., Committee, &c. THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OFFSPRING OF THE AROUSED CONSCIENCE OF THE COUNTRY. LETTER TO A BOSTON COMMITTEE, OCTOBER 8, 1855. HANCOCK STREET, 8th October, 1855. MY DEAR SIR,--Your invitation for to-night, after a journey to Newport and back, reached me only yesterday. It finds me already engaged, so that I cannot join my fellow-citizens in the proposed ratification at Faneuil Hall of the nominations lately made by the Republican Party of Massachusetts.