“Several thousand copies of Senator Sumner’s recent speech
at Worcester, which disturbed the equanimity of some of
our contemporaries, have been circulated in Kentucky. A
Colonel of that State, now in the Union service, writes
thus: ‘Sumner’s speech strikes the key-note for the Union
cause in Kentucky, and his policy, if followed up by the
Administration, will insure us a speedy triumph.’”
The country press of Massachusetts espoused the speech warmly.
The New Bedford _Evening Standard_, always ready against
Slavery, declared its sympathy, while giving testimony to the
reception of the speech by the Convention.
“We have no apology to make to our readers for inserting
the noble speech of Mr. Sumner at the Worcester Convention.
Its perusal by all earnest and sincere lovers of Freedom
will no doubt be a rich treat, as it was to those who had
the pleasure of hearing it from the Senator’s lips. _The
manner in which it was received by nine tenths of the
Convention was a true indication of the state of feeling
in the Old Bay State._ We have been pained, as well as
surprised, to see the manner in which some Republican
papers, as well as individual members of the party, have
spoken in condemnation of this speech.”