Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and letters of Charles Sumner: volume 3

[502] in the political movement against slavery. He wrote, June 14: ‘You have escaped the crown of martyrdom by a narrow chance, and have got all the honors, which are almost as dangerous to one's head as a gutta-percha cane. There are few in old Massachusetts, I can assure you, who do not feel that every blow on your cranium was a blow on them.’ John Jay wrote, May 23: ‘You have our deepest sympathy and love in the martyrdom you are suffering for truth and freedom.’ Charles Allen wrote, June 9: ‘The scars which will remind men hereafter of (I trust) a glorious revolution will, more than laurel wreath, grace your stricken head.’ Dr. Wayland wrote, June 9: ‘I will not say that I, but the whole nation, or the free portion of it, sympathize with you; and what is far better, I believe them to be seriously moved. At least I have seen nothing like it before. With us the wave has reached an elevation which it never before touched;’ and he remarked how it carried along the most conservative me,—those who were calm, considerate, and constitutional in their aims. Mrs. Seward, who was constant in her attentions until she left Washington, wrote, July 4, from Auburn, to dissuade him, for his own sake and for the sake of the great cause, from immediate public efforts, and said: ‘Dear Charles, your enemies have placed upon your brow a chaplet greener, brighter, and more unfading than any that could have been woven by the hands of dearest friends. You have served the cause of justice and humanity faithfully, fearlessly, and effectually. Nothing you can say or do at present can strengthen your hold upon the affections of the North, of the enlightened, benevolent, the just everywhere, now and in coming time.’ Her letters were frequent, always affectionate and motherly. She wrote, August 12: ‘Henry writes, “We hear Sumner's name called in the Senate. I miss his loud and clear and emphatic and yet cheerful response.” ’

Lydia Maria Child wrote, July 7:—

I have never been so overpowered by any public event. I was rendered physically ill by excess of painful excitement, which never before happened to my strong constitution. It seemed as if the necessity of reining inactive at such an eventful crisis would kill me. My first impulse was to rush directly to Washington to ascertain whether I could not supply to you in some small degree the absence of a mother's or sister's care. Had I not been tied to the bedside of my aged father, I verily believe I should have done it; for I thought I might trust to my venerable years to sanction the proceeding. Doubtless Mr. Douglas would have been shocked; but you know it is difficult to avoid