"Curiosity has been greatly stimulated to see it in full, and it
will amply repay attention. Mr. Sumner has made more brilliant,
classical, scholarly speeches, but never one more effective,
nor one upon which his fame as Congressional debater can more
creditably rest. It was a full vindication of himself and of
Massachusetts, and its influence and effect have been marked at
Washington. It ended the discussion which the South so vauntingly
provoked. There has been no essay at reply. It carried the war into
the bowels of his opponents in a manner not ordinarily excusable,
but, after the provocation which had been given, in this instance
most abundantly justifiable. His annihilation of his accusers was
complete."
In a speech at Providence shortly afterwards, Mr. Giddings, of the
House of Representatives, referred to this effort, which he heard, in
sympathetic terms.
"They assailed Sumner because he said, 'Is thy servant a dog, that
he should do this thing?' in reply to the question, whether he
would assist in the capture of a fugitive slave? He was assailed
by the whole Slave Power in the Senate, and for a time he was the
constant theme of their vituperation. The maddened waves rolled
and dashed against him for two or three days, until eventually
he obtained the floor himself. Then he arose and threw back the
dashing surges with a power of inimitable eloquence utterly
indescribable.... I assure you that last week was the proudest week
I ever saw. Sumner stood inimitable, and hurled back the taunts of
his assailants with irresistible force. There he stood towering
above the infamous characters who had attempted to silence him,
while I sat and listened with rapturous emotion."
The interest awakened by the conflict in the Senate and the part borne
by Mr. Sumner can be understood only by reading the testimony of the
time in private letters, which have additional value in the light of
subsequent events. It will be seen how Mr. Sumner was supported, and
what already was the sentiment of the North.
Letters came from unknown persons, saying, "I want to thank you
for that speech." On the next day after its delivery Rev. Theodore
Parker wrote:--
"I never felt so proud of you as now, and can't go to bed without first
thanking you for the noble words which Apthorp has just read me of
yours from the _Transcript_ of to-night. Even phlegmatic---- is roused
up with your fire. God bless you!"
Hon. John P. Hale, of the Senate, wrote from Dover, N. H., under
date of July 3d:--
"As I came from Washington to this place, in New York, Boston, and
in steamboats and railroad cars, I heard but one expression in
regard to your speech, and that was of unmingled gratification.
I have heard all classes, Whigs and others, and there is no
exception. Ladies particularly are in ecstasies at it. Mrs.
Hale says, 'Give him my thanks for his speech.' The feeling of
gratification at your speech is so great, that people do not think,
much less speak, of the Billingsgate by which you were assailed."