“It is not too much to say that it is the boldest, most
thorough, and most uncompromising speech that Mr. Sumner has
ever delivered; and it is easy to see that it must prove the
most offensive to the slaveholders of any of his speeches. It
is a complete hand-book of their offences, and will excite in
them great and perhaps irrepressible rage.…
“In vigor of thought and style, this speech will rank among
the greatest, if not at the head, of Mr. Sumner’s productions.
It is straightforward, direct, logical, proceeding directly to
its mark and by the shortest line, striking the swiftest and
hardest blows, and never for a moment leaving the reader in
doubt as to its meaning, while it is enlivened by even more
than the orator’s usual wealth of classical and historical
lore. It is in every respect a remarkable speech, and will
arrest the attention of the whole country.”