“The great event of the day and of the session in the
Senate was Mr. Sumner’s speech. The galleries were crowded
to excess, as they have not been on any occasion before
in a long time. Frederick Douglass was in the gallery,
one of the most attentive listeners, and evidently
the best-pleased man in the Chamber, as he heard the
distinguished champion of his race plead so eloquently in
its behalf. Nearly every member of the Senate listened with
rapt attention to Mr. Sumner.”