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of your life, worthy of you and the cause.
When I read it in New Hampshire, I felt thankful that I had been able to do something for the cause of freedom by aiding our friends in placing you in the Senate, where you can speak to the nation.
All our friends are delighted; and even our Whig and Democratic friends speak of your speech in the highest terms.
All are pleased to find that you rebuked Everett.
His speech is generally condemned by all parties.
He has run his race,—flushed out.
Again, March 15:—
Your speech is the theme of universal commendation; all admire it, and above all your work. Your devotion to your duty receives the praise of all men.
Whittier wrote:—
I am unused to flatter any one, least of all one whom I love and honor; but I must say in all sincerity that there is no orator or statesman living in this country or in Europe whose fame is so great as not to derive additional lustre from such a speech; it will live the full life of American history.
Frederick Douglass sent thanks for the noble speech for freedom and the country.
Robert Carter wrote from
Cambridge:
Your speech is worthy of your reputation, or of any man's reputation.
I hear but one sentiment expressed about it, and that is admiration of its force and eloquence, and thankfulness that Massachusetts has a senator in Congress so ready and so able to represent her opinions and defend her rights.
Mr. Everett has fallen lower than I ever dreamed possible.
The change of tone in this vicinity on the slavery question has brought me into intercourse with many of what seemed to be the most hopeless of the Hunker set; and even they to a man condemn him, while they as uniformly praise you and your speech.
The revolution that a month has effected is incredible.
Were you to appear to-day in State Street, I am confident you would be received with a cordiality that would astonish you.
Rufus W. Griswold wrote from New York, February 22, expressing his admiration of the speech, and his gratitude for it, and reporting the general favor with which it was received in that city, particularly in contrast with
Everett's, which, however unobjectionable, gave very little satisfaction to his friends or to the public.
Rev. Leonard Woods wrote, April 19:—
Perhaps I am partial in my judgment, but I think your speech on the Nebraska bill was the best one on the subject; and so of your speeches on any subject when you take pains to be well prepared, as I believe you always do. Your speech on the Fugitive Slave law, and on the bill of Douglas, gave more important information on the respective subjects than has come out in any other way. So it was also in your speech in the convention on the