Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 07 (of 20)Sumner, Charles
History
Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 07 (of 20)
Sumner, Charles
Slavery -- United States; Speeches, addresses, etc., American
“In the reality of the present behold the promise of the
future, when all traitors like them shall meet a similar
doom. Still devoting himself to the cause of his country
and to the freedom of the oppressed, the advocate and
friend of all, of whatever rank or condition or color, the
scholar, the philanthropist, the martyr, the statesman
has come again among us, and it is with equal pride and
pleasure that I present to you the Hon. Charles Sumner, not
of Massachusetts, but of the United States of America, one
and indivisible.”
Mr. Sumner then came forward, and was received by the vast
audience with tumultuous applause, in which the ladies joined
with every manifestation of delight. The cheers, and waving of
hats and handkerchiefs, lasted several minutes.
SPEECH.
MR. PRESIDENT,--It is my nature to be more touched by the kindness of
friends than by the malignity of enemies; and I know something of both.
You make me feel that I am among friends. Beyond this satisfaction, I
have additional pleasure in being welcomed by the Republican Union:
first, as you represent the young men, who are the hope and strength of
the country; and, secondly, as you constitute an association which has
rendered already signal service in saving the country from the rule of
the Slave Oligarchy. I know well how you brought forward and supported
Abraham Lincoln for the Presidency, and how you adopted and circulated
that masterly speech, made in this very hall, which completed those
titles to regard that caused his nomination at Chicago and his triumph
with the people.
* * * * *
FELLOW-CITIZENS OF NEW YORK:
In the presence of such an auditory, so genial and almost festive in
character,--assembled for no purpose of party, or even of politics, in
the ordinary sense of the term,--I incline naturally to some topic of
literature, history, science, or art,--to something, at least, which
accords with peace. But at this moment, when our whole continent
is beginning to shake with the tread of mustering armies, the voice
refuses any such theme. The ancient poet, longing to sing of Achilles
and the house of Atreus, found that he could sing of love only; and he
snatched from his lyre its bloody string. Alas! for me the case is all
changed. I can speak to you of war only; but be assured, that, if I
speak of war, it is because, unhappily, war has become to us the only
way of peace.
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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