Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-12-09
ANTI-SLAVERY BUGLE.
THE POSITION AND DUTIES OF THE
MERCHANT.
AN ADDRESS ri NON. CHARLES SUMNER.

'-"': 1|eS'deM and CeWtemcH 81 We MeTcdnNtc
Library ASSoc;dt'on
I have been honored by al invitation to de-
liver an address, introductory to OF the annual
of lectures, which your Association con-
tributes bountfuly to the pastime, instruction.
and elevation of our community. You know, sir,
something of the reluctance with which, embar-
rassed by other cares, | undertook this service
yielding to kindly and persistent pressure which
only nature sterner than minc, could resist
And now | am here TO perform what promised.
am to address the Mercantile Library Associa-
ton OF Boston, numbering according to your last
report, 207S members, and possessing library
of more than $4,000 volumes. With SO many
members. and s.. many books yours in an instu-
ton of positive power. Two distinct features ap-
pear in its name. It is primarily an association
Of persons in mercantile purGuis; and, 1t is next
an association for the improvement OF Its members,
particularly through books. In either particular
it is entitled to regard But it possesses yet ano-
ther feature, more interesting still, which does not
appear in its name 1t is an association OF young
men, with hearts yet hospitable to generous words
and with resolves not yet vanquished by the trials
and temptations Of life. Especially does this last
consideration fill me with deep sense at once Of
the privilege and responsibility of this opportun
ty. | am aware, that according to usage, the
whole circle of knowledge thoughtland aspiration,
is open to the speaker; but as often as have re-
solved the occasion in my minds-eyen as the
Greek poet who hoped to sing of Areus, was
brought back to the strain of love--I have been
brought back to n consideration Of the peculiar
character OF your association; and l have found
myself unwilling to touch any theme " hich was
not addressed especially to them, as merchants.
might speak to you of books and, here while
undertaking to consider the principles which should
govern the student in his reading, it would be
pleasant to dwell the profitable delights, better
than shower OF cent per cent" on the Society,
better than fashion or dissipitation; and on that
completeness Of satisfaction, outweghing the pos
of IN
library dukedom large enough :" all OF which are
found in b oks But leave this theme. l might
also fifty speak to you of young men, their claims
and duties. And here again. while enforcing the
precious advantages of Occupation, It would be
pleasant to unfold and vndlcate that reverence
which antiquity wisely accorded to youth, rs the
season OF promise and hope, pregnant with an un-
known future, aud therefore, to he watched with
tenderness and care; to show how IN every young
man the uncertain measure OF yet urdeveIoped
capacities gives scope to magntccnce OF antici-
patton beyond any reality and to ask what must
be done, that these anticipations may not wholly
die while the young man lived. But there are
other thing which becKon me away Not on
books, not on youth shall speak but on yet an
other topic, suggested directly Dy the name OF your
Association.
with your kind PERMISSION, snail speak T.
night on what the age requires from the nercantle
profession, or rather since nothing is justly re,
qulred which is not due, what the mercantile pro-
ciple by which we are to be guided in making the
account current between the mercantile profession
and Humanity, and might | so aspire hold up the
Looht"g Glass cf tie Good Nercham And since
example IS better than precept, ana deeds are more
than words, shall exhibit the career OF remark
able man, whose simple life, beginning as the
apprentice to a linnen draper, and never getting
beyond clerkship, shows what may be accom-
plished by faithful humble l"bors, and reveals pre-
clseiy those qualities, which IN tins age, are
n IA nh for nf Mar
chant.
Every man owes debt TO ms procession
was saying OF Lord Bacon, repeated by his con-
temporary and rival Lord CoEe; but this does not
toll the whoie truth IL restrains to the narrow
circie Oh ms procession oDhsationS whlch are
broad ana universal as humanity Rather should
oJ S'''i 'la. ny e.oty man IVES pept 10 nun
nha,t ,ra ,st srat r,,o H. ~ ',0
=; u 80. VI ~ - 49, ~
L;. ~ Wv ''''''' 3'0"'' '''' 'e'' ' 10 S''"e0 at
A. tho d,,r, of ,,lo,n .;,,os ..,J, ,,,, -,
WY ut ". .t; ,i'.ie ..'"o T"' "'i
"o,o "''I ~ ~ '"o' 'lNo " o:"h' q
s NJ o"' -. eAu"'So VI poiicS u
: i.su;anGe' ~ Ne'y 'eIn oii'''cIs 80 Soinpre-
=. -. "PF''o"''on, @ % -. Nneu az
.i '' ~ 10 .:.i' Wv i''i. eoe"''o,
ols.'e' .ne '''' Wv i',.nVIy VI Poiso',i
P"pol? ~ V''oSc u'9 ""on w.. lu"uie Gu '"eeP
WE mJre pru ny TI'us ~ Vi h.Jou iot cove
'eu ~ .o'"'.'' y. iiol.'''o ~ l"oo' VI '',no
distinguished themselves by the sword, and were
known under the various names of knight. baron,
count or--highost of all, Duke, DUE, the leader
in war.
-. tnese t,e teuant system was orgahlAeuc
80 y, " l"n' =" '"utu" 'e'''u,'e u
,,'t;To ,o.oJ 'u d" INV IoTiey i;r
,rhn on;ouod ~ D nd see1 Ii'a
s;hii;tu cnd G m,;noiod ,alo'n pI
of nh;oir nf,o tbc' INV INV -
,nos NJ LA .tn 60 e,,o .'ol III
was .te Mno ,ed .ne lotcea ~ was lhe counts
os eat,s mnU pi"ueu themselves y. .ne henu Vi thelr
esPe.e',e f GouI''s ~ M"s ene f'ents VINO went
iDLtn " 10 o'''.ie WIN u'''ggr, III Whatever ioL
wue'ne[ from ropoets Ut Mt'u beasts ~ was the
LaronS VI hunhyuleue-lhvre ere were no merShahtS