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Samuel Rogers wrote, from St. James's Place,
London, Dec. 27, 1845:—
What can I say to you in return for your admirable oration?
I can only say with what pleasure I have read it, and how truly every pulse of my heart beats in accordance with yours on the subject.
Those sacred words, in Washington's Farewell Address to his fellow-citizens, must have inspired you on the occasion.
Whom, indeed, would they not have inspired?
Again and again must I thank you!
George Sand wrote to
George Sumner, of his brother's oration:
‘His ideal of Christian peace over the whole face of the earth is, without doubt, a great truth; but I do not think it applicable to one nation in particular,—even to the United States.
While all other nations are on a war-footing, land while England, like a bird of prey, hovers over all unguarded regions, I do not think we have come to that happy age when a Congress of Nations can regulate their differences without reserving a resort to the ultima ratio.’
After referring to unhappy
Poland, and that identity of nations which makes the cause of one the cause of all, she added:—
Perhaps I am mistaken; but I think that the most civilized nations owe a great duty to oppressed and enslaved nations, which prevents them from dispensing with war; for there are still rapacious and tyrannical nations, which belong to the fraternity of robbers and assassins.
Count Circourt also wrote, of the oration: ‘I agree with that remarkable performance on many points; and I still sympathize with that which I cannot fully admit.’
Sumner's letters in support or explanation of his oration are here given, although a portion of them were written some months later.
Tuesday [July], 1845.
my dear
Waterston,—Thanks for your most cordial letter of sympathy.
Your countenance, as I saw you before me while I was speaking, was better than an army for strength and succor.
You know the feeling with which I undertook the duty, and my determination to express exactly and unreservedly what I thought.
It has been to me a source of great happiness that I am sustained so zealously by my friends, and by all ingenuous youth.
The city will print my oration; and the Peace Society are desirous of circulating it as a tract.
The secretary wishes to obtain subscriptions for this purpose.
I told him that you and
Hillard could undoubtedly aid him in this
