In the death of Mr. Livermore we have all lost a friend. He was
naturally and essentially kind. He was also most conscientious and
sincere. He was exquisite in simplicity. He was pure in heart. Though
retiring and modest, he was outspoken and courageous for the Right.
His instinctive earnestness was always on the side of virtue. These
qualities marked him in all the walks of life. To these must be added a
general intelligence, much acquired information, business talents of no
common order, and an immense love of books.
He was a merchant always, and his name will hereafter be inscribed
proudly among those who have done honor to the commercial life
of Boston. Men are remembered most by what they do outside their
profession. Although not unsuccessful in business, Mr. Livermore will
be commemorated as a merchant who excelled in refined tastes, in
generous sympathies, and in literary studies. He was an example of what
a merchant may be, not only at his counting-house, but at home, in
association with men, in the Sunday school, in counsel to the young,
and especially in his library.
Among his schoolmates was one whose reputation in the medical
profession is enhanced by acknowledged fame as writer and as poet,
who cheered him during his late illness.[239] I had not the advantage
of acquaintance with Mr. Livermore at that early day. I knew him first
as he was about to visit Europe, and I cannot forget his absorbing
interest at that time in the family of William Roscoe. He admired the
accomplished author of the history of Lorenzo de’ Medici and of Leo the
Tenth, because he was a merchant who cultivated letters, and while in
England one of his peculiar pleasures was to study on the spot the life
and character of this merchant author. His interest in bibliography was
recognized by Dibdin, the great professor of the science, who conceived
a friendship for his American disciple.
On his return, our merchant, while engaged in all the activities of
business, renewed his devotion to those other pursuits which made
him so dear to a large and growing circle. His library increased.
His specialty was Bibles, of which he formed a precious collection.
Among these is one which once belonged to Melancthon, with notes in
the autograph of this mild and scholarly Reformer. There is also a
very rare copy of “The Soldier’s Pocket Bible,” in antique print
and spelling, as published for the God-fearing Ironsides of Oliver
Cromwell. In other departments the library is rich and interesting.
Mr. Livermore read his books, but he had a true pleasure in looking
at them. He was choice in editions, and careful in bindings. Anything
in vellum or large paper had a fascination for him, showing that he
had not conversed with Dibdin in vain. This library, after overflowing
the rooms of his house, was gathered into a beautiful apartment,
built expressly for it. There, at the close of the day, after the
cares of business were over, he found a pleasant retreat, interrupted
only by the welcome visit of friends. His moderate desires were amply
gratified, and he was happy. The library of Prospero was not more to
him, when he “prized it above his dukedom.”
As a member of learned societies and of charitable associations, Mr.
Livermore was indefatigable. Perhaps nobody in our community was more
felt in these quiet and unobtrusive labors. His interest in public
affairs was constant also, and this became intense as the great issue
presented by the Rebellion loomed into sight. He busied himself to
raise troops. More important still, at a critical moment, before the
Government had determined to enlist colored soldiers, he prepared and
printed at his own expense a most instructive elucidation of this
question, founded on our Revolutionary history, which he entitled “An
Historical Research respecting the Opinions of the Founders of the
Republic on Negroes, as Slaves, as Citizens, and as Soldiers.” This was
read to the Massachusetts Historical Society, 14th August, 1862, two
months before the first Proclamation of Emancipation, and nine months
before the famous Fifty-fourth Regiment, of Massachusetts, commanded
by Colonel Shaw, sailed from Boston. Among the agencies which swayed
the public mind at that time, this work is conspicuous, and it is
within my own knowledge that it much interested President Lincoln.
While preparing the final Proclamation of Emancipation, the President
expressed a desire to consult it, and, as his own copy was mislaid,
he requested me to send him mine, which I did. But while performing
this patriotic service, our merchant did not forget his bibliographical
tastes. The many editions were all remarkable for faultless paper and
type, and one of them, now before me, is on large paper.
At the time of his death Mr. Livermore was fifty-six years of age,
which was also the age of President Lincoln, for whom he entertained
unbounded regard, deepening into affectionate reverence. By the
bedside, in his last illness, hung a copy of the immortal Proclamation,
signed by its author in his own autograph. There also within reach were
good books, which he enjoyed as long as he could enjoy anything, and
even after he began to lose hold of life.
The death of such a man must make many sad. To family, friends, and
neighbors it will be irreparable. To the whole community it is a
calamity. There is more than one mourner who will repeat, from the
bottom of his heart, the words of the great poet:--
“Farewell, too little and too lately known,
Whom I began to think and call my own!”[240]
THE NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE NATIONAL FAITH: GUARANTIES FOR THE
NATIONAL FREEDMAN AND THE NATIONAL CREDITOR.
SPEECH AT THE REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION, IN WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS,
SEPTEMBER 14, 1865. WITH APPENDIX.
Nor was civil society established merely for the sake of
living, but rather for the sake of living well.--ARISTOTLE,
_Politics_, tr. Taylor, Book III. Ch. 9.
* * * * *
This, Sir, is a cause that would be dishonored and betrayed, if
I contented myself with appealing only to the understanding. It
is too cold, and its processes are too slow for the occasion. I
desire to thank God, that, since He has given me an intellect
so fallible, He has impressed upon me an instinct that is
sure. On a question of shame and honor reasoning is sometimes
useless, and worse. I feel the decision in my pulse: if it
throws no light upon the brain, it kindles a fire at the
heart.--FISHER AMES, _Speech in Congress on the Treaty with
Great Britain, April 28, 1796_: Works, Vol. II. p. 56.
* * * * *
A spider in his natural size is only a spider, ugly and
loathsome, and his flimsy net is only fit for catching flies.
But, good God! suppose a spider as large as an ox, and that
he spread cables about us; all the wilds of Africa would not
produce anything so dreadful.--EDMUND BURKE, _Speech on the
Petition of the Unitarians, May 11, 1792_: Works (London,
1801-27), Vol. X. p. 53.
* * * * *
The Convention was organized with the following officers.
_President_, Hon. Charles Sumner, Boston.
_Vice-Presidents_, Hon. F. W. Lincoln, Jr., Boston; Gen. B.
F. Butler, Lowell. At large, Caleb Swan, Easton; E. F. Stone,
Newburyport; R. L. Pease, Edgartown; W. P. Phillips, Salem;
Eliphalet Trask, Springfield; Tully Crosby, Brewster; W. B.
Spooner, Boston; Alvah Crocker, Fitchburg; Rev. L. A. Grimes,
Boston; G. L. Davis, North Andover; E. L. Pierce, Milton; S. E.
Sewall, Melrose; C. O. Rogers, Boston; W. S. Clark, Amherst.
District 1, F. Hooper, Fall River; E. L. Barney, New Bedford.
2, F. M. Johnson, Quincy; G. B. Weston, Duxbury. 3, Ginery
Twichell, Brookline; A. J. Wright, Boston. 4, Charles Beck,
Cambridge; E. C. Fitz, Chelsea. 5, B. H. Smith, Gloucester;
William Howland, Lynn. 6, O. R. Clark, Winchester; Milton
Bonney, Lawrence. 7, C. R. Train, Framingham; John Nesmith,
Lowell. 8, A. M. Bigelow, Grafton; Caleb Thayer, Blackstone.
9, Henry Smith, Templeton; Joseph Hartwell, Ware. 10, Joseph
Tucker, Great Barrington; G. M. Fisk, Palmer.
_Secretaries_, C. W. Slack, Boston; S. N. Stockwell, Boston;
Thomas White, Randolph; G. F. Stetson, Hanson; H. S. Gere,
Northampton; G. S. Sullivan, Boston; Samuel Chism, Newton;
James Pierce, Malden.
* * * * *
Hon. Tappan Wentworth, of Lowell, and Hon. William Brigham,
of Boston, were appointed to conduct Mr. Sumner to the chair.
Enthusiastic applause greeted his appearance on the platform.
He then made the speech which follows.
* * * * *
The report of the Boston _Daily Advertiser_ says: “Mr. Sumner’s
Address, which we give on our second page, was heard with the
most profound attention, and was at many points greeted with
the most enthusiastic expressions of approval. The argument for
the exclusion of Rebels from political power was especially
applauded, and there could be no doubt of the sentiments of
the Republican party of Massachusetts on this question. When
Mr. Sumner concluded, the manifestations of applause were
vehemently renewed.”
* * * * *
After the speech, Hon. Amasa Walker offered resolutions in
tribute to Richard Cobden, recently deceased, in whom “our
country has lost one of its most earnest and devoted friends,
and England one of her ablest statesmen,” and tendering to his
family sincere and heartfelt sympathy in their bereavement,
which were adopted unanimously, and afterwards communicated by
Mr. Sumner to Mrs. Cobden.
A letter was read from Governor Andrew, declaring his purpose
to retire from office at the close of the present year, when
Hon. Alexander H. Bullock, of Worcester, was unanimously
nominated as the candidate for Governor. Hon. William Claflin,
of Newton, was unanimously nominated as candidate for
Lieutenant-Governor.
On the adjournment for dinner Mr. Sumner left for Boston,
and in the afternoon the chair was taken by Gen. Butler,
who addressed the Convention, declaring himself in favor of
Equality of Rights and justice for all. “We hope,” said he,
“that hereafter the great Massachusetts idea--that every man
has a right to be the equal of every other man--shall become
a vital essence of government upon this continent forever.”
[_Applause._]
Mr. Bullock, the nominee for Governor, followed in a brief
address, in which he said:--
“MR. PRESIDENT,--You cannot wish that I should enter upon
the discussion of national topics, overwhelming as they
are, at this hour. The distinguished Senator, who has so
long and so well represented the people of the State,--how
long and how well you all know [_applause_],--and the other
gentleman who has preceded me this afternoon, and who
has served with equal ability in the civil and military
departments of the Government [_applause_], have rendered
any words of mine superfluous. Only let me say that I
choose to abide by the Massachusetts doctrines, and that I
trust that some familiarity has taught me what they are.”
Hon. William Claflin, the nominee for Lieutenant-Governor,
spoke in the same strain.
* * * * *