“The great speech of Senator Sumner upon the Foreign
Relations of the United States will command the attention
of all intelligent men in Europe and America. It is a
thorough and exhaustive discussion of English and French
diplomacy, so far as either bears upon the present war. The
effect of the complete exposition of the policy of Great
Britain with regard to Slavery since 1807, proving, by
clear and irrefragable historical instances, the apostasy
of the existing ministry to the high principles so long
maintained, must be great among all reflective Englishmen.…
Mr. Sumner’s comprehensive views of International Law, the
extensive learning with which he enriches the discussion of
it, his convincing logic and kindling eloquence, together
with the results he reaches, make this address one of
great importance, and cannot but exert the most beneficial
influence in this country and in Europe.”
The _Independent_, of New York, in a leading article entitled
“Sumner and Burke,” presented an elaborate parallel between the
recent speech and that against Warren Hastings.
“The trial of Hastings was really a trial of England
herself. So Burke evidently felt it. The bill of charges
and the speech upon them was more of an appeal against
the rulers of England than the despot of India.… As he
arraigned England against herself, so does Sumner. As
he sought to flatter her to the right by appeals to her
highest professions and practices against the swift current
of her ruling passions and purposes, so does Sumner. As he
failed in his attempt, so, we fear, will Sumner.… Grander
is his position, as well as his appeal, than those of
Burke. He stood before a House of British nobles: Sumner
stands before the Congress of Nations. Burke impeached the
conduct of a satrap: Sumner the heads of powerful nations.
Burke denounced him in the name of justice and law outraged
by his abuse of subject provinces: Sumner denounces England
in the interests of outraged internationality and humanity,
for her conduct toward a free and equal nation engaged in
casting out the devils that Britain’s lust of gold and
power had forced upon her in the days of her helplessness.
He has constrained the haughty powers to appear at the bar
of the Nations. The world will hear his plea, and give him
the verdict.”
_Zion’s Herald_, of Boston, an able religious journal, said:--
“This speech is not hostile in its tone, unless our
transatlantic friends see fit to make it so. It is a grand
effort in behalf of those principles which are to underlie
our renovated nationality; it is a noble assertion of our
rights against wrongs which are emphatically condemned by
the best minds of England and France themselves. If our
sister nations will heed this appeal, and cease to give
the support hitherto accorded to our foes, it is not too
late for them to gain thereby the friendship of our people
and the praise of mankind; but if any European power
should now directly espouse the cause of the Rebellion,
the responsibility of war will rest with them and not with
us; and even if they continue to grant the Rebels their
sympathy and moral support, the severe words of Mr. Sumner
will be but a faint expression of the infamy to which an
indignant posterity will consign them.”
The New York correspondent of _The Congregationalist_, at
Boston, wrote:--
“The whole country owes Mr. Sumner a debt of gratitude
for this timely, thorough, and weighty exposition of our
Foreign Relations. Its facts and arguments must produce a
strong impression upon the popular mind in England; and
every American who has friends abroad should hasten to
put in circulation in Great Britain as many copies of the
speech as he can command. Its tone, at once dignified,
firm, and conciliatory, will help our cause wherever it is
read, while it cannot fail to ally to us all who really
value truth and honor between nations, and who abhor
Slavery and its abettors.”
* * * * *
Numerous letters, in harmony with the press of the country,
attested the extent to which Mr. Sumner was sustained, being
spontaneous testimony to the prevailing sentiment. Written as
they were for the purpose of sympathy and encouragement, they
show the general conscience and intelligence. Prompted by the
speech, and relating exclusively to it, they may be considered
among its incidents. The warm appreciation of Mr. Sumner’s
service was less important than the aspiration for country and
for mankind which they disclosed.