Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and letters of Charles Sumner: volume 3, Chapter 30: addresses before colleges and lyceums.—active interest in reforms.—friendships.—personal life.

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[28] The address abounds in literary and historical allusions. In stating the compensations of a life, with duty as its guide and aim, he may possibly have referred to some experiences of his own. ‘the world with ignorant or intolerant judgment may condemn, the countenance of companion may be averted, the heart of friend may grow cold; but the consciousness of duty done will be sweeter than the applause of the world, than the countenance of companion or the heart of friend.’¹

When preparing or ‘conning’ the address, he wrote Longfellow as follows—

at your home, Sunday, Aug. 8, 1847.
Dearly beloved Henry,—I came here yesterday morning, and an monarch of all I survey; my right there is none to dispute. I seize a moment in the 1111 of the grinding labor of committing my address to memory, to send you and Fanny a benediction. I wander through the open rooms of your house, and am touched by and indescribable feeling of tenderness at the sight of those two rooms where we Have mused and mourned so often together. Joy has washed from your mind those memories, but they cling to me still. I looked at the place where stood the extempore cot bedstead. I hope that is preserved; if I ever have a home of my own, I shall claim it as an interesting memorial. Then the places where we have sat and communed, and that window-seat,— all seemed to speak to me with soft voices. Most sacred is that room to me,— more so, than any other haunt of my life.² I remember all your books as they then looked upon me gently from the shelves. Have you forgotten the verses of Suckling which we once read together? I leave for Armherst on Tuesday, and shall be back on Friday. Let me have a note for you or Fanny. I wish I were not quite so sad as I am disposed to be. Felton says my address is very fine. How says it will astonish by its practical character. It is more plain, less ornate, than the others. Its title is “Fame and glory.” I have said nothing, however, which your “Psalm of life” does not embody. One touch upon your harp sounds louder and longer than all I can do.
Ever and ever thine,
C. S.

Of the coming time when other and higher standards of character should prevail, he said:—

Then will be cherished, not those who from accident of birth, or by selfish struggle, have succeeded in winning the attention of mankind; not those who have commanded armies in barbarous war; not those who have exercised power or swayed empire; not those who have made the world tributary to their luxury and wealth; not those who have cultivated knowledge, regardless of their fellowmen. Not present fame, nor war nor power nor wealth nor knowledge, alone,

1 The Springfield Republican, and other newspapers in western Massachusetts, gave sympathetic notices of the address, dwelling upon the matter and style, and the effect on the audience. There is a review of the oration in Whittier's ‘Prose Works,’ vol. II. p. 85.

2 Longfellow's ‘Life,’ vol. II. p. 92. The poet in his reply, August 14, ‘regretted the dismantling of that consecrated chamber.’

Cambridge, MA. Press of John Wilson and Son. 1877.

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

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