Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-06-13

lam not inseasible to the sentiments
which have been expressed this even
ing. Ibid not desire. however, to
speak at this meeting-not because /
could not sympathize with IL, for
have sympathizeo to degree which
I can truly say / hardly ever fel. be-
fors, in every resolution, in its gen.
eral drift and in its special language.
and in all the speeches that have been
made. But l did not wish in any
wise to interrupt the course OF meet
ing inaugurated so wisely. directed so
discreetly. designed and calculated to
have such weight with all parties. aud
with all men that are men. throughout
the whole country. II there Is one
thing that we ought to forget. it is
that we have ever been divided citizens.
If there is one thing that we ought to
remember. il is that we are united cit
liens now Tgreat applause. / know
not, IL we had the ordering Of all
things, that we could have conceived
anything more consummately wise.
looking 10 remote and hnal results to
arouse the dormant feeling Of the
North. than these things which have
now transpired in the order. as must
think, of a wise and watchful Provi-
dence. think the more readily that
the present events have taken place.
because know that sometimes Prov
idence employs Internal Instruments to
do his will [ Laughter. Had Senator
Sumner been man Of war. or man
Of brawling words--had he heen any
other than he vas--the case could no,
have been SO strong. ] know not thai
five had gone through our whole
land. from one end to the other. we
could have found q man so ct TO be
offered as sacrifice Of liberty upon
the great altar Of his country (Greai
applause No aspiring politician has
he been. A lawyer by profession. a
scholar by instincts and habits. a man
Of refined ideas. Of social and eslhelic
tastes. he was seized by one OF those
sudden waves Of popular feeling that
how through the nation and bear
away some man upon their bosom. ms
one Of George Steers clippers, that
has been building on the shore. would
be lifted by some Spring-tide that has
flooded so far in as TO buoy her up and
launch her intosthe sea Applausel
Office sought him. and too him rcluo
family: for while bis election was yet a
pending question. had the pleasure
Of q conversation with him. in his Of
Gee. as a private gentleman; |. being
clergyman. acted somewhat as con-
fessor on that occasion. and he told me
the secrets Of his heart. And | am
sure that. although he had an honor
able aud manly ambition. the Office to
which he was elected was not sought
nor desired by him. Since he ha.
been In Washington. his course has
been that which became a man. a gen.
tleman. n statesman, a scholar, q
Christian Great and enthusiastic ap'
plase. He has everywhere not mere.
y observed the rules Of decorum. but
with true "chivalry," with the noblesl
impulses Of a gentleman. he has main.
tanned himself void Of oifense. Sc
that the only complaint that have
ever heard against Senator Sumner
has been, that by bis shrinking and
sensitive nature he was not Ct for the
trough and tumble" of politics in ouI
day Renewed applause. 1t was be.
cause he held himself back, as he did,
that he was reproached and proved
and ia part gosded by the III judged
criticisms Of friends. he attempted n
last to spice and re-sp;ce his remarks
It was not TIE complaint that they hat
been too high. or too ken. or in one
whit too critical or severe. But every
man, in speaking. must follow the
rule Of his own nature. To attemp
to speak, as is not in his nature. Is q
mistake for any man. Senator Sum
ner, however. did not commit it; fol
when he began to speak, instead o
listening to the mistaken counsel o
his friends, he took the better counse
1 of his own Judgment and nature. ant
spoke from his conscience and hi
heart [applause. And il was undis
guisedly for that utterance. that b,
was prostrated by a felon's blow. All
It touches mel 1t touches me not 81
a citizen, but as q man. could no
walk the street and see the raggedes
wretch struck by man who was hi
superior, or in circumstances which
gave him advantage. without feeling
my blood boil (Applause l. wh'
ought to be man Of peace. yet say
that to defend q weak | would no
hesitate moment to peril life ant
limb Loud applause 1 tell 20,
that you may 60 through the Fiy,
Points and rake to the bottom. an,
you cannot bring up the most degra
ded wretch or gambler Of that whiel
has been once man who, il yo'
should ask him: "Would you strik
a man who is DOWN." and not be in
dignant at the question! Loud ap
plause You may 60 through th
Courts where we have had assemble.
within the last few months a learne,
body Of pugilists Laughter;] yor
may take the whole Of them; begi
and call over the names Of the firsts
seconds. bottle-holders--all the wa
to the bottom--and you cannot fn'
one who will not have n,anlines
! enough left in HIM to say. "Fair pla
is q jewel" Great laughter and ap
plause. II may not be known to a
Of you that Mr.. Sumner has that whic
by consent and courtesy, by laws an
public sentiment, exhonerates q ma
from the performance Of military du
ty; for II q man be near-sighfed. II
taken for granted that he cannot fgh
to advantage. Mr.. Sumner is neal
lighted. In the act Of writing, b
must needs have been bent down, an
even when be lifted his eyes. he mu.
have been unable 10 discover an I'D