Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-11-14
ECFPT1ON OF
HON. CHARLES SUMNER.

HON. CHARLES SUMNER.
The reception Of Hon. Charles sumner hv
the citizens of Boston and vicinity. on Mon
day last, was attended by an uncommon dis
play of deep and patriotic interest. The
feeble state of his health forbade cxtrlor-
binary parade and those outward mnniG'sta-
tions which the people c1rnrstly desired to
show. 1t was his first visit to his own home
since, on the 1oor of the Scnltc chamber. he
fell beneath tho assassin-liko assault of Mr..
Brooks of South Carolina. The quiet throng
which filled tho streets to show him their
respect ana sympathy was very large, He
was not able to address the assembly nor H.
decd to utter more than a few sentences Of his
reply to the Governor Of the State, who for
mally received him--the rest he was Obliged
to hand in manuscript to the reporters. OF
bis appearance the Atlas remarks -
"Thc personal appearance Of Mr.. Sumner, SO
hlggard and carcworu, the eye, once $, braminc.
now lnnguid. the hcnthiul check, now ralc and
thin, and the dark lines Hr'uud the brow. chilled
the hearts of all who hohcll him, The r>in cheers
died away, and enthusiasm gave place to silcnc'.-
Strong, athletic men, uuaccust ,mcd to emotion,
drew stihed breaths, and were not 9slnwcl TO let it
be known that they, too, suffered with Mr. sumner
lie was addressed on the part of the cti
zens by the venerable Josiah Quincy. We
quote few of his words
al rejoice that my life has been prolonged TO this
day-that am permitted to behold tn. dawuiugs
of ancient liberty through the broken openings Of
the clouds, which for than fftv ycnrs the spir
of slavery has extended over this Union. 7 thank
Heaven, that now Mt last. tic Free States are begin
ming to awaken to sense Of their dang and their
dutios-that, Mt length, they begin 10 realize that
the Slave States have overloapct the bounds of the
Constitution. The apathy 'f laf century may
delay. for a time. the triumphs Of freedom but come
they will. Final success is certain. Never again
will the Free States, in silence aclicscn in the far
ther extension ofslavc dominion Loud anplause.
and cries of Never never! u Hence 'oIth they
will hear and attend to the warning voice Of Wash
ington, solcmnly uttered in his farewell address :-
'SuBMrT NOT TO rsuRrArIoy - RESIST. WIN GAZE.
THE SPIRIT or INNOVATION UPoN THE PRINCIPLES uF
THE CoNsTG1uTIoS.'"
Gov. Gardner welcomed Mr. sumner in
behalf of the State and pledged the support
of the State for him who had supported
cause so dear to her. She does stand by
you to-day, she will stand by you tomorrow.
and she will stand by you in her ielsns, for>
ever
Mr.. SUMNER, who stood up in tie carriage
during his Excellency's address Of welcome,
spoke in a very low tone, and evidently la-
boring under physical disability, as follows
HON. CHARLES SUMMERS REPLY.
MAY il please your E>ceHcncp 1t is ricas-
ant to behold once more the familiar places of
home-the State IIouse-the Commou-Hnd
well known streets. 1t is more lrnslnt still
fc LoI~1t - Of f,i, t,,J
<Rhis plea si.Tn ~ in"rnl sod lv th. ~"l~on,"
which YOU now give me in bnhalt Of the he
loved Commonwealth. which for five years
have served honestly. earnestly nud cpnstaut-
" in an important field of duty. whore | was
placed by an unsouCht suffrlge. Sir. thank
you for this welcome. thank. a's1. the
distinguished gentlemen who honor ,he ocpl-
sion with their company, thank. too. my
fellow citizens. all who nov in uucruutcd
multitudcs give me the snccrr and strength
of their symrathioS and my soul ovrIl wS.
especially to the Young men of Boston. out
OF whose hearts. as from an cYuhnrlnt fnnu-
tain, this broad spreading hospitality tax
its rise.
Ny earnest desire. often expressed. has been
that | might be allowed to return home qui-
etly, without show or demonstration e any
kind. AMI this longing has leon enforced
by my physical condition, which though vast
ly improved at this time, and advancing
surely towards complete health, i still OK
posed to the peril ofroapsc, or at Least 10 the
arrest of those kindly processes Of nature cs-
sential to the restoration ot a shattered sys
TEN. But the spontancous kinlnrs, of this
reception makes me forget my we kucss-
makes me forget my desire for rop)sc.
More than five months have passed since |
was disabled from the performance Of my
public duties. During this weary period |
have been constrained to repeat daily the les
son Of renunciaton-c confined at first to my
bed and then only slowly regainns the power
even to walk, Beyond the constant, irreprcs-
sible grief which must well mp in the breast
of every patriot ms he dsccrnS the present
condition of his country, my chief sorrow has
been caused by the necessity to which was
doomed. of renouncing all part IN the contest
for human rights, which. beginning in Con-
gress, has since enveloped the whole land
the Grecian chief, grieyously illof the wound
from the stealthy bite Of "A snake, and left
behind while his companion sailed on to the
siege of Troy, did not repinr more at his en-
forced seclusion, From day to day and week
to week | have vainly sought that health
which we value most only when lost, and
which now perpetually eluded my grasp. For
health ! stroye : for health | prayed. With
uncertain steps sought it at the sea shore,
anu 1 SOUGHT IL On tuc lNuuntuln-tOn.
Two voices there one is Of tho sea,
One Of the mountains each almighty voice
In both from age to age thou did-t r,ioice,
They were thy chosen music. Liberty,
listened to the admonitions Of medical skill
and | courted all the hracing Influences of
nature, while Time passed without the ac-
oustOmed healing of its wings. | had conf
IDENTIFY hoped to he restored so as 10 take my
seat in the Senate, and to he heard there
again long before the session closed, But
Congress adjourned, leaving me still an inva-
lid. My next hope was that might he per-
mitted to appear before the people during the
present canvass, and with heart and mind
plead the great cause which is now in issue.
But here again have been disapI ointed ,
and the thread of my disability has not vet
spun 10 the end. Even now. though happily
lifted from my long prostration, and begin
ming 10 assume many Of the conditions ol
health, | am constrained to confess that an
still an invalid-cheered, however, by the ns
surance that shall soon. with unimplir
~, vigOr, he permitted to resume all the respon
sibilities Of my position.
Too much have | said about myself but
you will pardon il TO the occasion, which
being personal in its character invites thes,
personal confessions. With more pleasure
turn 10 other things.
should feel that failed in ona If thos,
duties which the heart prompts and the iudg
ment confirms, if | allowed this first oppor
tunity TO pass without the sincerest acknow
Judgments to my able, generous and hithfu
colleague, Mr. Wilson. Tog we labore
in mutual trust, honorably laning upon eael
other. By my disability he was left the sol
representative OF Massachusetts, on the 400
of the Senate, throughout months Of heate
contest, involving her good name and he
most cherished sentiments. All who watchc
the currents of the debate, even as imperfect
ly as did in my distant retirement, kno,
with what readiness, courage and power b
l. L l. i L