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[95] Secretary of State, under Mr. Filmore. His management of our foreign affairs—then somewhat complicated—commanded the confidence of the country, and the respect of foreign nations, which still left a broad field for the exercise of his consummate abilities in the public service. But it was felt then, as it was afterwards known, that his course on the Fugitive Slave Bill had been an act of political suicide. On the rock of Slavery the whig party had gone to pieces; and very few good men regretted its fate. Like some of the convicts of a celebrated judge, it had survived its usefulness, and was put out of the way. The illustrious sage of Marshfield had given place to the rising young statesman on whose broad shoulders Destiny had fixed the forlorn hope, not only of four million slaves, but perhaps of the Republic of Washington itself. But let us listen to the last trumpet-call to Freedom that Charles Sumner sounded out from the ranks of the people, before he went into the National Councils to lead the crusaders for the recovery of the tomb of the Father of his country from the long and deep disgrace which still overshadowed the soil of Mount Vernon.
United States Publishing Company, 1874.
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