C. Edwards Lester, Life and public services of Charles Sumner: Born Jan. 6, 1811. Died March 11, 1874.

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Lvii.

It had been claimed by the friends of a more vigorous policy than the President had hitherto adopted, that the cause of the Union would gain strength after the Proclamation of September 22d. Their prophecies were more than fulfilled: for when the one hundred days, of which the President had given notice, had expired, and the full and Great Proclamation, as it was well called, of January 1st, 1863, appeared, the skies everywhere began to brighten. A new spirit of hope dawned over the popular mind; a fresh spirit of Freedom and enthusiasm for Liberty inflamed the popular heart; new zeal went [443] through the army. Slavery was losing its last hold upon the North, and the star of Hope, which had hitherto sent but feeble rays through the clouded air, was to give place to the full-orbed sun of Liberty.

The leaders of the Rebellion saw the rising tide at the North swelling against them, and they began to display a vigor and determination, which, desperate as their cause might seem to impartial and well-informed observation, were to indicate how fearfully the agencies of a bad cause may be multiplied, as they are marshalled for the final conflict, which gives the last energy to despair.