CARLOS PIERCE, Esq.
This letter was laid before a meeting of the subscribers
in Mercantile Hall, with Rev. F. D. Huntington, afterwards
Bishop of the Western Diocese of New York, in the chair. A
contemporary newspaper records what ensued.
“A beautiful design of the testimonial which it had been
proposed to offer Mr. Sumner was also submitted to the
meeting. It was to have been a massive and elaborate silver
vase, two feet in height, and was planned by Messrs.
Bailey, Kettell, and Chapman. Upon its summit was a figure
representing Charles Sumner holding his Kansas speech in
his right hand. On either side were the figures of Justice
and Freedom, crowning him with a wreath of laurels. A
winged genius sits at his feet, and is inscribing his name
on a tablet. Figures representing Victory are upon the arms
of the vase, heralding the triumph of Freedom. Above the
inscription to Mr. Sumner, and in the centre, was the coat
of arms of Massachusetts. On the foot of the vase was the
coat of arms of the nation, between masks and appropriate
emblems of Liberty and Slavery.
“Although all were unwilling to abandon this favorite plan
of expressing to Mr. Sumner by a substantial token their
sympathy and their support, yet they were of the opinion
that his letter left them no choice in the matter, and,
after discussing many plans for the disposition of the
funds already raised, the suggestion of Mr. Sumner was
unanimously adopted by the following resolves.
“‘_Resolved_, That the Secretary of this meeting be
instructed to subscribe the amount of funds in his hands to
aid the cause of _Freedom in Kansas_, in the name of Hon.
Charles Sumner.
“‘_Resolved_, That the subscribers be notified by the
Secretary of the above vote, and have leave to withdraw
their subscriptions.’
“The amount already subscribed is one thousand dollars,
and by the action of the meeting Mr. Sumner’s noble and
eloquent speech has ‘hardened into deeds,’ for which we
hope many a poor sufferer in Kansas will long have occasion
to bless his memory.”
The resolutions of the meeting were communicated to Mr. Sumner
by the Chairman in the following letter.
“CAMBRIDGE, June 25, 1856.
“MY DEAR SIR,--You have already been made acquainted with
the earnest movement of some of your host of friends in
this quarter to convey to you a tangible evidence of their
profound esteem for your character, and their enthusiastic
admiration of your conduct. The arrival of your generous
letter stopped their proceedings. At your own request one
thousand dollars will go to Kansas instead of to you.
“At the public meeting where this decision was taken, I
was directed, as being Chairman, to acquaint you with the
acquiescence of the subscribers to the testimonial in
your wishes, and to assure you that all your motives in
this act, and throughout the recent signal and portentous
events, are by us fully appreciated and honored. I will not
add to your fatigues, and to the crowd of communications
which must be pouring in upon you, by a long communication.
Your name is inseparably and nobly associated with
the history of Freedom, in America and in the world,
henceforth. We confide in you for the future. We thank
you for the past. We supplicate, in your behalf, from
the Almighty Source of Good a rapid restoration of your
health and strength, and ever-increasing powers of will, of
faith, of action, and of speech, in the infinite service of
Humanity.
“You will believe, my dear Sir, that my personal feelings
go undivided into these assurances of good-will.
“I beg you to account me, now as always,
“Your faithful friend and servant,
“F. D. HUNTINGTON.
“HON. CHARLES SUMNER.”
The following extract from a letter of Mrs. Lydia Maria Child,
the much-loved and always popular author, shows how this act
was regarded at the time.
“Your letter declining the testimonial proffered by your
native Commonwealth pleased me more than anything you
ever did. I had previously said, ‘I hope Massachusetts
will express her gratitude toward him with princely
magnificence, and I hope _he_ will transfer the gift to
Kansas: that would be morally grand on _both_ sides.’
And Mr. Child answered: ‘Depend upon it, he _will_ do
it. Nothing could be more characteristic of the man.’
That letter and Mr. Wilson’s answer to the challenge have
revived my early faith in human nature. It is impossible to
calculate the salutary influence of such examples.”