“He exhausted ancient and modern history in gathering
maxims and examples for the illustration of the points
which he made. Portions of the speech were marked by great
felicity of language and beauty of imagery. It exhibited,
perhaps, more of the speculative theorist than of the
practical statesman. Though he took pains to disavow
everything of this character, and to present his views as
the basis and guide of practical action, it was by far the
most elaborate and comprehensive speech made in Congress
for many years, and was heard with great attention by the
Senate and crowded galleries.”
A few extracts from newspapers will show how the speech was
received at a distance.
* * * * *
The _Independent_, of New York, in printing the speech, thus
noticed it:--
“Charles Sumner’s argument for the Rights of Men ought to
be printed by the hundred thousand, and scattered like
seed-grain throughout the nation. It is a speech worth
a lifetime to have achieved,--the greatest of all Mr.
Sumner’s great speeches. Standing in some respects almost
alone in the Senate, his position is all the more morally
grand for his isolation, and his plea all the more eloquent
for his moral heroism. Generous readers will overlook
their minor differences of opinion from Mr. Sumner, for
the sake of agreeing with him to the full in the masterly,
unanswerable, and incomparable argument which he has made
in behalf of securing to every American citizen his just
rights before the law.”