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eloquent, and the tone of the whole impressive.
It was at once instructive, persuasive, and inspiring.
The fair-minded listener, spite of adverse preconceptions, could not but confess as well the practical aims as the sublimity of the cause.
This address, and the senator's speech, five years later, on ‘the Barbarism of Slavery,’ make together the most complete forensic argument for the antislavery enterprise which was made during the entire contest.
Mrs. Seward, who never failed in affectionate interest, in sending to him some poetry written in an Auburn paper concerning his antislavery address, wrote, April 29:—
Once more let me entreat you to take care of your health.
Great powers are given for beneficent purposes; but the highest mental endowments avail little comparatively without physical strength.
Do not think me importunate.
George William Curtis, who was present at the delivery of the address (probably at
Providence), and now heard
Sumner for the first time, wrote, April 6:—
There is but one opinion of your address.
It will be a sword in the hands of all who heard it for their future battles in the cause.
Rev. Convers Francis wrote, April 2:—
Thanks to you—most hearty thanks—for that masterly lecture of last Thursday evening. It is not easy to tell you how much I, in common with the great multitude, was enlightened and gratified.
No one left the house that evening, I venture to say, without a conviction, never to be removed from his mind, that the antislavery enterprise was most truly necessary, practicable, and dignified.
Coming out I met Mr. Garrison, who said, “Well, Mr. Sumner has given us a true, old-fashioned antislavery discourse.”
Rev. C. E. Stowe wrote, April 9:—
You are happy in having stood for the cause at the lowest point of depression and in the imminent deadly breach.
The Lord give you many days and the strength corresponding!
Oliver Johnson wrote from New York, July 9:—
People here have not forgotten the triumph of last May.
You made a deeper impression in this city, I believe, than it was ever the good fortune of any other antislavery speaker to make,—an impression that will last till the final jubilee.
Oh, how I wish we might hope that you might strike another blow for us the next session!
