An incident in connection with the delivery of this address at
Philadelphia illustrates the sensitive condition of the public
mind at the time. Mr. Sumner was announced to give it before
“The People’s Literary Institute,” when he received a letter
from the President of the Institute, which will be understood
by his reply.
“SENATE CHAMBER, December 19, 1860.
“DEAR SIR,--I have been honored by your official
communication as President of the People’s Literary
Institute of Philadelphia, bearing date 17th December,
in which you say, ‘that the patrons of the Institute are
persons of all shades of political opinion, and that in the
present excited state of the public mind it is desirable
that Slavery and Antislavery should not be touched by its
lecturers.’ This is written to govern me on the evening of
the 27th of December, when, according to invitation, I was
to address the Institute.
“With much misgiving I accepted the place urged upon me in
your course. For some time I declined it, and yielded only
to the most pressing solicitation. Afterwards, in reply to
an inquiry from one of your officers, I let it be known
that my subject would be ‘Lafayette,’ and I think you have
already announced the same in your course. You are too
familiar with the career of this constant friend of Human
Freedom not to know that it cannot be adequately presented
without touching upon the topics which you forbid. It was
the peculiar glory of this illustrious man, that from his
early days to his death-bed he strove always for Human
Freedom, and especially sought to remove the intolerable
evil of African Slavery. To leave so great a part of his
life untouched would be an infidelity I cannot commit.
Indeed, I do not think your careful judgment could approve
such an act. If at any other time it might be done, you
will see that at this moment, when persons acting in
behalf of Slavery openly threaten _treason_, silence upon
testimony so powerful would be nearly akin to complicity
with the treason. The pirates of the Caribbean Sea are said
to have carefully recited the Ten Commandments, omitting
‘Thou shalt not steal.’ A precedent like this I have no
disposition to follow.
“Even if the subject of my lecture did not require me
to infringe your instructions, I beg to assure you that I
could not consent to speak under any such constraint. For
many years I have addressed associations, societies, and
meetings of all kinds; but never before have I been met by
any hint of interference with the completest latitude of
speech, according to my sense of the duties and proprieties
of the occasion. Long accustomed to free speech, I am too
old now to renounce it.
“There are two recent events in Philadelphia which furnish
a commentary upon your letter. The first is a resolution
adopted at a public meeting, with the Mayor in the chair,
openly proclaiming that free speech must not be permitted
at the North; and the other is a practical illustration of
this tyranny in the refusal to hear the accomplished Mr.
Curtis, when announced to lecture before your Institute on
‘The Policy of Honesty.’ All this is done for the sake of
Slavery, and in the hope of soothing traitors. You can know
little of me, if you suppose that I can take part in any
such work. Of course my place in your list is now vacant.
“I observe that your letter, although signed officially
as President of the People’s Institute, is marked
‘_Confidential_.’ I have no desire to draw your name into
any public discussion; but it is obvious that my refusal to
take part in your course cannot be frankly stated without
reference to what you have written.
“I have the honor to be, dear Sir,
“Your obedient servant,
“CHARLES SUMNER.
“---- ----,
“President of the People’s Literary Institute, Philadelphia.”
December 22, Mr. Sumner received from the President of the
Institute the following telegram:--
“Permit me to withdraw my letter. Come and speak freely. Do
not decline. I have written you to-day.”
This was followed by a letter from the President, repeating his
request, and saying, among other things,--
“That the public are very desirous to hear you, and will be
greatly disappointed, if you cancel the engagement.
“That, in common with the Managers and patrons of the
Institute, I earnestly hope that you will reconsider your
determination not to speak on the 27th instant, and that
you will consent to deliver the lecture on ‘Lafayette,’
which has been advertised, and which the people expect,
without any feeling of constraint as to the treatment of
the subject.”
Accordingly, December 27, Mr. Sumner spoke for the first time
in Philadelphia. A few sentences from the _Press_ show how he
was received.
“The announcement that Hon. Charles Sumner would lecture
at Concert Hall, before the People’s Literary Institute,
last evening, attracted an immense audience. At an early
hour the hall was filled to its utmost sitting and standing
capacity, and there must have been enough turned away,
after the sale of tickets was discontinued at the door, to
have filled another hall of equal size. The audience was
also of the most respectable character.…
“When the lecturer entered the platform, he was greeted
with uproarious applause. For several minutes the
audience--the greater part of whom rose to receive
him--continued clapping, cheering, and waving their
handkerchiefs.…
“He was introduced to the audience by President Allen, of
Girard College, who said that the scholar, the eloquent
orator, and the steadfast friend of man, all found a
synonym in the name of the statesman who was now to address
them; and his subject was suggestive to all lovers of
Liberty. He had now the pleasure of introducing the Hon.
Charles Sumner, who was to speak on Lafayette. The lecture
which followed occupied two hours and a quarter in its
delivery, and was given without notes.”
The address on Lafayette was the last of a series during the
year, by which Mr. Sumner had striven to direct public opinion
against Slavery, so at least that it should not be carried
into the Territories. Amidst hostile criticism there were
friendly expressions, showing that he had not spoken in vain.
Of these, one is presented as applicable to the series. It is
the Dedication of the Thanksgiving Sermon, Sunday Evening,
November 11, 1860, by Rev. Gilbert Haven, entitled, “The Cause
and Consequence of the Election of Abraham Lincoln.”
“TO THE HON. CHARLES SUMNER:
“Who has spoken the bravest words for Liberty in the most
perilous places; who has suffered in behalf of the Slave
only less than those who wear the martyr’s crown; who
has come forth from that suffering with the profoundest,
because experimental, sympathy with the Oppressed, with
a more intense hatred of the Oppression, yet without
any bitterness of heart against the Oppressor; who will
stand forth in the future times as the clearest-eyed,
boldest-tongued, and purest-hearted Statesman of the
age: these few words of Thanksgiving and Praise, for the
manifestation of the Presence and Power of the ALMIGHTY
REDEEMER in this greatest work of our time, are most
respectfully dedicated.”