“My opinion of its merits may be of small importance to
you, but I cannot forbear to assure you that it has the
approbation and admiration of one of your constituents. I
cannot be supposed to be much versed in International Law,
but I understand your argument, and am sure that every one
who reads must understand. I see not how you could have
made it more clear or cogent. You condense the history of
a vexed question into a crystalline lens, and every eye
must see your point. I greatly mistake, if your views do
not produce conviction both at home and abroad. You have
performed a service to the true and the right which will
surely be appreciated and acknowledged.”
Rev. Caleb Stetson, the Liberal preacher, wrote from Lexington,
Massachusetts:--
“I must for a moment break in upon your vast public labors
to thank you for your admirable speech on the affair of
those two wretches, Mason and Slidell. You have said the
best things that could be said, in the best manner. I
greatly rejoice that the traitor villains are given up,
for we cannot afford a war with England when we have this
diabolical Rebellion. I am glad of your forbearance towards
her, but I fear this generation will not forgive.”
Rev. William H. Furness, the eloquent and Radical preacher,
wrote from Philadelphia:--
“Lend me your own gift, that I may tell you in fitting
words how admirable your speech is. It is cheering to see
how it has convinced people that all is right in regard to
the Mason and Slidell affair. With all its shortcomings and
shilly-shallying, what a glorious nation this North is!”
James Russell Lowell, eminent in our literature, wrote from
Cambridge:--
“Let one of your constituents thank you for your speech on
Maritime Rights. Excellent, as far as my judgment goes, in
matter and manner.”
Charles E. Norton, the accomplished author, and for a time
editor of the _North American Review_, wrote from Cambridge:--
“I read your speech last night with such great
satisfaction, that I desire to express my thanks to you
for it. The argument could not be more forcibly presented,
or in a manner better fitted to enlighten and confirm the
sense of national dignity here, and to give the right
direction to public opinion abroad. You have done a work of
the highest value.”
Orestes A. Brownson, the able writer and reviewer, wrote from
Elizabeth, New Jersey:--
“I have been absent from home, and have read only the one
on the Trent affair, which I think does you equal credit
as a lawyer and a statesman. The view you take is the one
which I myself took, when I first heard of the capture of
Mason and Slidell, but I knew not that it could be backed
by so many and such high authorities as you have cited.”
Hon. Amasa Walker, Professor of Political Economy, and
afterwards Representative in Congress, wrote from North
Brookfield, Massachusetts:--
“I am much obliged for your speech on Maritime Rights.
It is your grandest effort. A noble theme, and treated
in an able and most statesmanlike manner. You have never
made a speech that did your country more good or yourself
more credit. I am particularly glad that it draws forth
encomiums from presses in this State that have been
very hostile to you. They seem compelled to admit their
admiration of the speech, and that it is a great historical
document.”
Parke Godwin, the able writer, wrote from the office of the
_New York Evening Post_:--
“Let me add my congratulations to the thousands you must
have already received for the noble speech in defence of
our time-honored championship of the seas. It is thorough,
searching, manly, and unanswerable.”
Charles L. Brace, the enlightened Reformer and author, wrote
from New York:--
“Will you allow me, as one of your great ‘Constituency,’ to
express my admiration of your speech on the Trent affair,
as reported by telegraph to-day? Its enlightened views,
broad treatment, sound policy, and thorough historical
soundness make it, to my mind, the first of your many
public efforts in oratory.”