The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-11-06
,-oR SUMMERS RECEPTION IN BOSTON
.,....ss by Josiah Quincy, Governor Gardner,
s-ofsssor Huntington of Harvard College, and
:, Response Of Mr.. Sumner.


....as by Josiah Quincy, Governor Gardner,
A.-.s.ssor Huntington of Harvard College, and
=. Response of Mr.. Sumner.
,.udov was the day which had been appoint
no reception of Charles Sumner by his
"a n ~ o;t;zens of Boston. Contrary to the ply
ieiiOs fellow advice. he had left his quiet retreat in
sci an in order to cast his vote for Free
I'D Fremont. Having arrived at the
aon &c Amos A. Lawrence, in Brookline, on
,ts,irts of Boston, he was met early in the
'I n.rnoop by an immense procession OF people,
aoa-r;apes and on foot, by whom, after enter
IL Tho carriage, he was escorted to the city.
w III ,.,,orrsspondent of the New York Times thus
i ~ this great popular demonstration
,,- Simmer was saluted, as he was borne
h., everv man rising and uncovering his
heai -, - carriape with him were DIR. Perry, his
-, - and Professor F. ID. Huntington,
lnl.a,ear of the committee. He looked pale
: r-oarv and exhibited mournful traces OF
A"- ~, suffering. The precautions OF his ply
lg1', in imperatively forbidding all personal
,,rlat;ons. seemed absolutely necessary.
:, vas mite evident that Mr. Sumner was ut
,srlv UNEQUAL to such exertion.
The march was resumed IN the same olrec-
49,, viz through Brookline and Roxbury,
I'd constantly received new accessions as 1t
--ooeeded. An along the route, masses OF
r,onle had gathered, who greeted Mr.. sumner
- he passed-the ladies by waving tneir hahd-
p.rcbiefs, and the men with loud huzzas'
A the Roxbury line was approached, the
o-,vl became so dense as finally to be almost
impossible. .,-
lace Mr. Sumner was met by hon. JOSIAH
f,gipcy. sem, and welcomed home by HIM on
,fahsbalfofthe citizens there assembled. When
~. vehement cheering, which ever and anon
t,-st from the multitude, had at last subsidized,
NJ Quincy rose to deliver his brief address.
Mr., Samner stood up in his place at the same
me but 80 weak was he, that he was obliged
:, lean his hand on the side of the carriage for
support.
.z.e. and Mr.. Sumner replied briefly and to
the point: ;.
The carriages again fell into line, and pro-
coded through Washington street, which is
canrieued as road from Boston to Roxbury,
,ogard the city, passing the avenue of horse
men who were closely drawn up on either side
ar about a mile. AS soon as Mr.. Summers
carriage appeared before the horsemen at the
nearest end of the line, they sent up an enthusi-
asic cheer, which grew fainter until at length
/, seemed to die away in a subdued murmur at
the further extremity. When the van of the
n,1cession reached the city, the streets, on both
.iles. we're thronged with spectators. The
doors. windows and balconies of the houses
were filed, and many of the residences were
pls7anty draped with the national colors. On
Al SIDES the warmest enthusiasm was manifest
i. aud cheer upon cheer rose from the multi
,sie as the procession advanced.
Arrived at the State House, Mr.. Sumner was
received by Governor Gardner, to whom Pro-
tssor Huntington introduced him.
When the cheering which ensued had sub
sided. Gov. Gardner addressed Mr.. Sumner.
Mr.. Sumner, in uttering his first words of
acknowledgement, betrayed increasing weak
ness. bat. forgetting it in the excitement of the
occasion, he spoke with much of his ancient
lrrvor
NAV it please your Excellency," he began,
at il pleasant to behold once more the famil
lar faces of home-the State House, the Com
mon. and the well-known streets it is more
Pleasant still TO behold the countenances Of
friends; and all this pleasure is increased by
the welcome which you now give me, In behalf
of the beloved Commonwealth which for five
wears have served honestly and constantly in
an important field Of duty, where | was placed
By an unsought suffrage. / thank, also, the
distinguished gentlemen who honor the &C.
cason with their company. L thank, too, my
fJow-citizens all who now, in uncounted
mutitudes. give me the succor and strength
Of their sympathies; and my soul overfiows
especially to the Young men of Boston, out of
whose hearts, as from an eXuberant fountain,
this broad-spreading hospitality takes its rise.
Nv earnest desire, often expressed, has been
Thai might be allowed to return home quietly,
without show or demonstration of any kind ;
Aad this longing has been enforced by my
physical condition, which, though vastly i'm
proved at this time, and advancing surely
towards complete health is still exposed to the
peril Of relapse, or at least to the arrest of
those kindly processes of nature essential to
The restoration of shattered system. But the
spontaneous kindness of this reception makes
forget my weakness; makes me forget my
desire for repose. More than five months have
passed since / was disabled from the per-
iormance of my public duties.
During this weary period ] have been con-
strained to repeat daily the lesson Of renuncia
lion. Confined at first to my bed, and then
slowly regaining the power even to walk, but
beyond the constant, irrepressible grief which
must well up in the breast of every patriot as
ne discerns the present condition of his country,
my chief sorrow has been caused by the neces-
sity to which | was doomed, of renouncing all
part in the contest for Human Rights, which,
Beginning in Congress, has since enveloped the
whole land The Grecian chief, grievously i'll
Of a wound from the stealthy bite of a snake,
and left behind while his companions sailed to
the siege of Troy, did not repine more at nis
enforced seclusion. From day to day, and week
% week, | vainly sought that health which we
'ane most only when lost, and which now per-
petaally eluded my grasp. For health / strove,
and Cor health prayed. With uncertain steps
: sought IL at the sea-shore, and | sought it on
The mountain-tops. Two voices there are-one
Is Of the sea--one Of the mountains-each a
mighty voice. In both, from age to age, thou
didst rejoice. They were thy chosen music,
Liberty. listened to the admonitions of ins6
zeal skill, and | counted all the bracing inhu-
ence OF nature, while time passed without the
accustomed healing of its wings. ! had conf
IDENTIFY hoped to be restored, so as to take my
seat IN the Senate, and be heard there again be-
ore the session closed. But Congress adjourn
ed. leaving me still an invalid. NV next hope
was that might be permitted to appear before
the people during the present canvass, and with
head and mind plead the great cause which is
nov in issue-but here, again, have been dis.
appointed, and the thread of my disability is
not yet spun to the end. Even now, though
happily lifted from my long prostration, and be.
ginning to assume many of the conditions of
health, am constrained to confess that am
still an invalid, cheered, however, by the assu-
rance that | shall soon, with unimPsired vigor,
be permitted to resume the responsibility of nay
position. Too much have / said about myself,
but you will pardon it to the occasion, which,
being personal in its character, invites these
personal confessions. With more pleasure turn
70 the other things. / should feel that failed
IN one OF those duties which the heart prompts
and the Judgment confirms, if | allowed this