Mr. Sumner, yielding with reluctance to the pressure upon him,
consented to speak on this occasion, solely with the desire of
striking a last blow at a political heresy which stood in the
way of establishing Freedom in the Territories, and of helping
to save an important District of Massachusetts from being
represented by one of its partisans. The speech is confined
exclusively to the dogma or device of Popular Sovereignty,
often called Squatter Sovereignty, in the Territories, which,
after playing a conspicuous part in other sections of the
country, at last found a supporter in Mr. Thayer, who gave
to it certain importance, inasmuch as he had already done
excellent service in organizing that Liberty-loving emigration
which contributed so powerfully to the salvation of Kansas.
Though local in its immediate influence, the speech completes
the series of efforts by which Mr. Sumner sought to fix the
power of Congress to prohibit Slavery in the Territories,
which was the great issue in the Presidential election. It is,
perhaps, the last speech made anywhere on this topic, which
unquestionably belongs to the history of the Slavery Question
in our country. At its delivery there was much enthusiasm. The
large hall was crowded for an hour before the meeting. Many
hundreds, some from a distance, were compelled to return home,
while others thronged the aisles and passage-ways. The effect
of the speech was attested at the time by the public press, and
also by correspondents. Mr. Bailey, the successful candidate,
wrote as follows, under date of Fitchburg, November 10, 1860.
“Our District was carried on high points. Our triumph is
one of principle. We were in danger at one time, and felt
the need of a strong, manly blow from an authoritative
source. You gave such a blow, and the result is, Mr. Thayer
has a plurality in but eight of the thirty-seven towns
comprising our District.
“The victory is not in any sense a personal one for
me. But, as a member of the Republican party, a lover
of the principles of personal liberty cherished by the
Fathers, and an enemy of human slavery in all forms and
_everywhere_, I must thank you from a full heart for the
great and timely aid you then rendered to the cause in this
District. Your reward, I know, is not in these thanks, but
it is a satisfaction to me to express them.”
Edwin Bynner, an energetic citizen of Worcester, who took a
leading part in the canvass, wrote, under date of November 10,
1860:--
“I cannot refrain from tendering to you personally my
heartfelt thanks for your masterly speech in Mechanics’
Hall, which, in my opinion, did more to avert our
threatened defeat than any other instrumentality employed.
In saying this, I would not for a moment disparage any
effort put forth by others; but, having devoted my whole
soul to the contest, having expended every effort of mind
and body, and believing that I _know_, as well, if not
better, than others engaged in the fight, to whom the
laurels really belong, I cannot repress avowal of the
conviction, that, but for your speech, the event would have
been at least doubtful. I am impelled to tender you my
warmest personal gratitude for efforts which others halted
and hesitated in making.”
To these local testimonies may be added the words of Hon. Henry
L. Dawes, who wrote, under date of North Adams, November 6,
1860:--
“I desire to thank you, in the name of the Constitution,
justice, and the cause, for your speech at Worcester. The
argument was complete and unanswerable.”