Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 10 (of 20)Sumner, Charles
History
Charles Sumner: his complete works, volume 10 (of 20)
Sumner, Charles
Slavery -- United States; Speeches, addresses, etc., American
David Dudley Field, Esq., who had been selected by the
Committee as Chairman of the meeting, introduced Mr. Sumner to
the audience in the following words.
“LADIES AND GENTLEMEN,--At no former period in the history
of the country has the condition of its foreign relations
been so important and so critical as it is at this moment.
In what agony of mortal struggle this nation has passed the
last two years we all know. A rebellion of unparalleled
extent, of indescribable enormity, without any justifiable
cause, without even a decent pretext, stimulated by the
bad passions which a barbarous institution had originated,
and encouraged by expected and promised aid from false men
among ourselves, has filled the land with desolation and
mourning. During this struggle it has been our misfortune
to encounter the evil disposition of the two nations of
Western Europe with which we are most closely associated
by ties of blood, common history, and mutual commerce.
Perhaps I ought to have said the evil disposition of the
governments, rather than of the nations; for in France the
people have no voice, and we know only the imperial will
and policy, while in England the masses have no powers, the
House of Commons being elected by a fraction of the people,
and the aristocratic classes being against us from dislike
to the freedom of our institutions, and the mercantile
classes from the most sordid motives of private gain. To
what extent this evil disposition has been carried, what
causes have stimulated it, in what acts it has manifested
itself, and what consequences may be expected to follow
from it in future, will be explained by the distinguished
orator who is to address you this evening. His position as
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has
given him an acquaintance with the subject equal, if not
superior, to that of any other person in the country. He
needs no introduction from me. His name is an introduction
and a passport in any free community between the Atlantic
and the Pacific seas; therefore, without saying more, I
will give way for CHARLES SUMNER, of Massachusetts.”
Amid the most marked demonstrations of satisfaction, expressed
frequently by long-continued applause and hearty cheers, Mr.
Sumner proceeded in the delivery of his discourse. The meeting
adjourned about an hour before midnight.
Three New York newspapers and two in Boston printed the entire
speech on the day following its delivery.
SPEECH.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account