“Welcome, thrice welcome!”
At the corner of Shawmut Avenue and Dover Street, on the house
of Rev. Mr. Sargent, was the following significant motto:--
“To the _Right_!”
pointing the route of the procession.
The house of Dr. Parks, No. 88 Dover Street, was beautifully
decorated,--an eagle above the upper-story windows, holding a
number of streamers, which were gathered below. The following
was inscribed upon the building:--
“Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God.”
The piano-rooms of T. Gilbert were decorated, with the words in
front,--
“Welcome, Freedom’s Defender!”
There were many other similar decorations. If longer time had
been given, the demonstration would have been other than it
was.[2] But it was not in decorations that the citizens of
Boston welcomed home the beloved son of Massachusetts; it was
rather with emotion too deep for utterance that they received
him.
The scene at the State House was beyond description. The area
in front, the long range of steps leading to the Capitol, the
Capitol itself, the streets in the vicinity, the houses even
to the roofs, were packed with human beings. The assembled
thousands greeted him with long continued cheering.
Mr. Sumner arrived in front of the Capitol, where a platform
had been erected. His Excellency Governor Gardner, the
Executive Council, and the Governor’s Staff were escorted by
the Sergeant-at-Arms, Benjamin Stevens, Esq. Mr. Sumner was
then introduced by Professor Huntington in an eloquent speech,
as follows.
“MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY,--In behalf of the
Committee of Reception, I present to your Excellency the
Hon. Charles Sumner, Senator of Massachusetts in the
Congress of the United States. It is needless to recount
here his services to our Commonwealth, to the whole
Republic, to the principles of a pure and just nationality,
to elegant learning, to Christian statesmanship, to the
liberties and the rights of man. These are all safely
recorded in the imperishable history of the country and
the race. How deeply they are written in the hearts
of his fellow-citizens let this vast and enthusiastic
concourse bear witness. He returns to his friends; but
his friends are wherever justice is revered. He returns
to his neighbors; but he has a neighbor in every victim
of wrong throughout the world. He returns to the State
that entrusted her interests to his charge, having
proclaimed--according to the spirit of her own institutions
and her people--the doctrine of the Brotherhood of all
States, in the bonds of universal Peace. He stands at the
door of her Capitol, and in the presence of her Chief
Magistrate,--stands here her faithful steward, her eloquent
and fearless advocate, her honored guest, her beloved son!”
His Excellency replied briefly as follows.
“SIR,--I am admonished by the Committee of Arrangements
that my words must be few and brief.
“This is no political ovation. The Chief Marshal of the
procession announces that no political mottoes will be
admitted into the ranks. By the same sense of propriety I
am admonished that no political phrases are appropriate
here.
“This is the spontaneous outpouring of your friends and
neighbors and fellow-citizens to welcome you from your
field of intellectual victory,--and to welcome you also
from your bed of pain and suffering. I cordially add my
tribute, humble, save what my official station imparts to
it, to crown the just and welcome offering.
“We hail you with warm hearts, not only as the eloquent
orator, the accomplished scholar, and the acknowledged
statesman,--not only as the earnest friend of suffering
humanity and of every good cause,--not only as one
who, educated in the institutions and by the altars
and firesides of Massachusetts, has won for himself
imperishable laurels on the arena of the nation’s
conflicts,--but especially now do we welcome you as the
successful defender of her integrity and her honor.
[_Cheers._]
“In her name I declare that the base and cowardly blows
which fell on you struck through you into her. Within the
circuit of the sun’s flight after I heard of that assault,
before such an assemblage as rarely gathers in Faneuil
Hall, I pledged Massachusetts to stand by you. [_Loud
applause._]
“And she does stand by you to-day. She will stand by you
to-morrow [_enthusiastic cheers_]; and she will stand by
you in her defence forever. [_Loud cheering._]
“I welcome you, then, most cordially and warmly, in her
name, again to her borders. Every thrilling breast and
kindling countenance around you in this immense throng
welcomes you,--Boston welcomes you,--Massachusetts welcomes
you.
“In her name I trust that the quiet of your home may
speedily restore you to perfect health, so you can again go
forward to your sphere of duty, to new achievements, and
new victories.
“And now, Gentlemen, fellow-citizens, one word to you.
The duty of the day over, let us, one and all, leave our
distinguished friend to the undisturbed quiet of his own
home, to the fond caress of one whose ear is at this moment
bent in anxious watching for the earliest warning of his
approach, that he may there recover, not only from his past
illness, but from the present excitement and the fatigues
of travel. At present our kindest attentions will consist
in scrupulously avoiding exacting intrusions.
“To you, Sir, again, in the name of our glorious old
Commonwealth, I extend a cordial welcome. [_Loud cheers._]”
Three times three cheers were then given for Mr. Sumner, who
attempted to reply; but his voice was more feeble than in
replying to Mr. Quincy. He spoke, with great difficulty, as
follows.