Beyond this appeal from heart to heart, I should rejoice to show clearly _how to hamstring this Rebellion and to conquer a peace_, all of which I am sure can be done. To this _single practical purpose_ all theories, prepossessions, and aims must yield. So absorbing at the present moment is this question, that nothing is practical which does not directly tend to its final settlement. All else is blood-stained vanity. And the citizen soldiers you send forth to battle may justly complain, if you neglect any means by which they may be strengthened. Good Democrats, who have enjoyed the confidence of their party and also public trust,--Daniel S. Dickinson, of New York, and Robert Dale Owen, of Indiana,--bear their generous testimony. So also does Parson Brownlow, of Tennessee, in a letter which I have just read, where he says that the negroes “must be urged in every possible way to crush out this infernal Rebellion.” Butler bore his testimony, when, by virtue of an outstanding order of the Rebel Governor of Louisiana, he organized a regiment of colored persons in the national service. Banks also symbolized the idea, when, overtaking the little slave-girl on her way to Freedom, he lifted her upon the national cannon. In this act--the brightest, most touching, and most suggestive of the whole war, which Art will hereafter rejoice to commemorate--our Massachusetts general gave a lesson to his country. Who can doubt that the country will yet be saved? I hope you will excuse me to my fellow-citizens of the Convention, and believe me, with much regard, Very faithfully yours, CHARLES SUMNER. TO HON. WM. CLAFLIN, _Chairman of State Committee_. THE PROCLAMATION OF EMANCIPATION: ITS POLICY AND NECESSITY AS A WAR MEASURE FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF THE REBELLION. SPEECH AT FANEUIL HALL, OCTOBER 6, 1862. WITH APPENDIX, ON THE NOMINATION AND REËLECTION OF MR. SUMNER AS SENATOR. A patriot’s blood, Well spent in such a strife, may earn, indeed, And for a time insure to his loved land, The sweets of Liberty and Equal Laws. COWPER, _The Task_, Book V. 714-717. * * * * * I assure you, He that has once the Flower of the Sun, The perfect ruby which we call Elixir, Not only can do that, but by its virtue Can confer Honor, Love, Respect, Long Life, Give Safety, Valor,--yea, and Victory,-- To whom he will. BEN JONSON, _The Alchemist_, Act II. Sc. 1. * * * * * Rendez-les libres,--et plus près que vous de la nature, ils vaudront beaucoup mieux que vous.--CONDORCET, _Note 109 aux Pensées de Pascal_. * * * * *