“The Hon. Charles Sumner yesterday delivered an eloquent
speech at the Republican Convention at Worcester, Mass.,
which we print this morning. He confined himself almost
exclusively to a consideration of the subject of Slavery
in its relation to the war; he took the ground that the
overthrow of Slavery will at once make an end of the war,
and justified that policy by many historic examples.”
The _Tribune_ also published a dramatic sketch between a
Conservative and a Reporter, exposing the reports about the
reception of the speech. Here are a few lines.
“CONSERVATIVE. Men took his coming coldly, as they say.
“REPORTER. My Lord, they lie who say so. On my life,
The pillars shook with plaudits,--the wide hall
Was as a sea of joyous countenance.
“CON. You are mistaken.
“REP. With these eyes I saw it;
Heard with these ears.
“CON. Say they did not applaud.
So must we dress it in the people’s eyes,
As he had been a rash, unwelcome guest,
Who came with little call, and spake with less.
The Boston _Liberator_ spoke of it as “this dispassionate and
statesmanlike speech”; but a correspondent complained of Mr.
Sumner’s confidence in the Administration, saying:--
“No, we are not yet saved! And it is the Commander-in-Chief
of the Army, and the elected head of the nation, it is
Abraham Lincoln himself, who obstructs, by the exercise
of his individual will, the nation’s entrance upon that
movement against Slavery which Mr. Sumner has shown to be
the direct course, and the only course, to success against
the Rebellion.”