“It is not only _the_ great speech of Charles Sumner’s
life, but it is the great speech of the age. It is
perfectly exhaustive, free from all personalities, free
from all idiosyncrasies, statesmanlike, philosophical, and
calculated to become a lasting memorial of its author’s
research, patient investigation, power of analysis, and,
above all, his undying devotion to the cause of popular
liberty and human rights.”