“I have read your speech on the confiscation of the
property of Rebels with the liveliest interest and with
entire approbation. Long a citizen of the South, I have
nevertheless been a steadfast Republican of the school of
Jefferson and of J. Quincy Adams,--a Republican to elevate
men to the proper status of freemen, not to degrade them
to slavery. While the unthinking and those of violent
prejudices call you fanatical, no man properly qualified
to judge of men and events can survey your parliamentary
history without acknowledging your claim to the highest
plane of statesmanship. I reverence Sir James Mackintosh
as the brightest example of great men whom the world will
not willingly let die. Tried by no other standard than your
speeches in the Thirty-Seventh Congress alone, you will
stand unchallenged by the enlightened judgment of mankind,
his co-rival in that fame which makes his name cherished by
scholars everywhere, and by all men of good report.”
While expressing sympathy with this speech, many at this time,
like the last writer, referred to the series of efforts by
Mr. Sumner during this session. Among these was Hon. Samuel
E. Sewall, of Boston, the able lawyer and tried Abolitionist,
who repeated the kindly appreciation which he had expressed on
other occasions.
“Your course during the present session has not only
delighted your friends, but I think has given great
satisfaction to the mass of your constituents, as well as
to all throughout the country whose opinions are of any
value.
“Any man might think his life well spent, who, in its whole
course, had said and done no more in the cause of freedom
and justice than you have in the six months past.”
Hon. Charles W. Upham, the author, and former Representative in
Congress, wrote from Salem:--
“You have nobly presented and thoroughly exhausted all the
subjects you have treated. I rejoice in your success, and
cordially indorse your sentiments. May you live to witness
the progressive triumphs of the great cause to which you
are devoted!”