New-York daily tribune., 1856-04-26
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
SUMMERS SPEECHES.

RECENT SPEECHES AND ADDRESSES By CHARLES
SUMNER l2IDO. Up. o. BO'io" T,cknor x Fie'd.
The contents Of this volume embrace period
of nearly five years from the authors acceptance OF
the Office of United States Senator from Massachu-
sets, in May 1851, to the delivery of his speech
in Faneu Hall, on the Slave Oligarchy, ia Novem-
Der, 1865.
Few public men are able 10 give so gratifying an
account of iheir official service during an eq1d
space of time. Mr. Sumner became member Of
the Senate after contest OF unprecedented length
and earpe.ness, in the Legislature of Massachu-
setis. Devoted to the duties of private pro-
fessopal station, and TO the liberal studies which
have always occupied large share ofhis attention.
he had cherished no ambition for the attainment of
political Office. He entered upon the high trust to
which his election was triumph OF Freedom, with
profound sense Of responsibility and spirit Of
noble devotion to the cause of which be hs1 been q
vigorous advocate. His political creed was compris
ed IN a few words He believed in the principles of
the Constitution, as on instrument for the common
good Of the whole country, irrespective of par
tlal and local interests and in the exposition of its
principles instead OF following any of the leaders of
theday be selected lOr his guides the great triumv
rate of American Fre.dOm-WsshingtOn Frank
lin. and jefferson. The consistency of Mr.. Sum-
ners career with hs professions, is fully exempled
in the present volume. Although composed OF pro-
ducons on great diversity Of topics, called forth
by widely different occasions, and covering all ex-
tensye field of discussion, il possesses the unity of
purpose aud of doctrine which can come only from
Fixed and profound convictions, and reliance on
the permanent suggestions Of reason and justice,
rather than on the shifting lights of prejudice and
policy.
With Mr.. Sumser legislation is not a crafs nor q
trade, but branch of moral science. True poll
ties in bis view, are simply morals applied to pub
lie affairs, and hence subject to those "eternal
rules of right and wroDg which are 8 law alike 20
individuals and communities, and which even con-
strain the omnipotent God in self-imposed bonds"
The realizaton of justice, accordingly is the am
Of legislation. IL seeks to embody, in human
codes the divine principles which underlle the
universe Instead of curailine the natural rights
of man. BY arbitrary restrictions, it would provide
for their fullest development and most active e1er-
ci.e. But of all human righ,., freedom 10 the
most eECIcN ana ctstItlNI. H. 10 INC tuAciOEl
versh birthright of the race, and should accord
inely be protected by ,rae legislation without re-
gard 10 artificial differences. Such are the views
which form the basis OF this Volume. They are
not held in any barrow, fanstica spirit but cher
ished as the deductions OF the loftiest wisdom, aud
enforced with sobriety Of statemest, richness
Of illustration, strength OF argument and clas-
vli i.h rar.lv
bined in any American statesman.
A large proportion OF the speeches are devoted
IA the institution of Slavery in is relations with .he
Federal Government. on these seversl have gone
through nun crous editions in EuglanL and haye
attracted much attention among the promintu.
thnke1s OF that country We may observe, n
passing. that this Is an uncommon distinction Sr
American Congressional speeches. /" we are not
aware that asy have been reprinted N separate
English edition. with the exception many years ago
of speech by John Randolph
One Of the most importan. d-cogrses in the
volume is the speech on the Fusi.,e Slave Bill
entitled Freedom NA;on4-S'ayesy Sec:on.l,
4 phrsse. We believe which Was frs. eEIEclsted By
Mr.. Sumper and which here receives u most elab-
orate aid corclasiyr vinGcAtion. With regard 20
the difficulty of discussing the subject OF Slavery
in Congress, We nud passage Of chNte and for
chile eloquence
s.r severe l.ws.veT Of early Greece vsiny sought
t. -ecme peImsnence for lis iHseife'.t ins lons by
providing that the citizen who, al sLy time, attempt
"a their alteration or repea should appear in tue pub
Hc assembly with halter about lis neck ready 70 De
drawn if bis proposition failed TO be adopted. tyran
nica spirit among Us in unconscious imitation Of this
srtique and discarded barbarsn seeks to su-oucd al
offensive institution with similar safeguard. In the
existing di.temptr the pubic mind and a. this pres.
en-, uncture eLteT upon the service whIed
| COW undertake w-thou. 4 oar.o11l respo14oLi,y