The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-03
A LETTER FROM SENATOR SUMNER.
Boston, June "a, 1876

BoSTON, June "a, 1856.
The following letter from Senator Sumner,
intended ior the Republican demonstration in
Faneuil Hall last evening, was hot received
till this morning:
81 am not strong enough for public speak
ing, even # | were strong enough for journey
to Boston. Besides, my duties in the Senate
have the first claim upon me, and to them |
must give my first returning strength there.
fore am / constrained to decline the invitation
with which you have honored me. But am
strong enough to send from my present retreat
a brief expression of my cordial concurrence
in the nominations made by the Peoples Con.
vention at Philadelp hia, and also of the glad
ness with which l shall support them by voice
and vote, with mind and heart. / have long
honored Colonel Fremont for his genius in geo,
graphical enterprise, for his manly fortitude,
for his perfect integrity, and for his easy com
mand of men-swaying to his own beneficent
purposes even the sayages of the forest, while
Nature herself, in her winter Businesses, bowed
before his march. 1t is we'll at this moment,
when great crime is instigated and sustained
by the National Government, that such man,
with courage which will not be questioned,
and with a sensitiveness to right which will not
sleep, should be summoned to grapple with the
wrong-doers.
"And permit me to say that find no force in
the objection that he has not been politician.
Your candidate for Vice President is worthy to
enjoy the same enthusiastic support. As a
lawyer, as Judge; as Senator Mr.. DAYTON hac
been conspicuous for character and ability,
and rejoice to believe that he will soon have
a larger field of activity, where they will be
employed for the good of our common country,
while the Senate, which is the stronghold of
Human Slavery will be compelled to receive as
its presiding officer representative of Human
Freedom. But better even than the candidates
is the declaration of principles under which we
now 60 forth to conquer. Such declaration,
promulgated by such a Convention, is in itself
the beginning of victory. Strong in its sim
plicity and truthfulness it must prevail lust so
soon as it is comprehended. 1t expresses OBJ
iects which must enlist the Conservative and
also must enlist the Reformer, which must rally
all who turn with respect to the example of the
fathers of our country, and also must rally all
who are filed with aspirations for brighter
future on earth. 1t proposes to save Kansas
from the revolving usurpation which is now
established in that fair Territory; and in this
good work it joins issuue with the Slave Oil
carey which now sways our whole country, so
that in saving Kansas we shall necessarily over
throw this despot.sIi and save ourJeiyes.
"For its support it appeals to all, without
distinction of party, who love their country. 1t
appeals to the Democrat whose Democracy is
founded on a recognition of human rights; it
appeals to the true Wing, who is animated with
that hatred Of despot;c power WHICH inepi-ea
those who earliest wore the name; it appeals to
the true American, who is ready to forget all
other questions for the sake of union to save
Liberty, now endangered; and it appeals to the
foreign born, who, rejoicing In the privileges of
American citizens, Will not hesitate to Join in this
holy endeavor to vindieate them against the
aggressions Of an oligarchy worse than any
tyranny from which they have fed. In this
contest, there is every motive to union and also
every motive to exsrtion. hoy or never, nov
and forever! Such was the ancient war-cry
which, embroidered on the Irish flag, streamed
from the castle of Dublin, and resounded
through the whole island, arousing a generous
people to new struggle for their ancient rights,
And this war-cry may be FLY inscribed on our
standard now. Arise now, or an memorable