The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-11-14
Mr.. Summers Reception Speech.

May IL please your Eroeliency:
IL is pleasant to behold once more the ia.
miliar places of home-the State House.
tho Common-and well known streets. 1t
is more pleasant still to behold the countc-
nanccs of friends. And oil this pleasure is
increased by the welcome which you now
give me IN behalf of the beloved Common.
wealth, which for five years | have served
honestly, earnestly and constantly in an i'm.
portant field Of duty, where was placed
by an unsought suffrage. Sir, thank you
for this welcome. thank, also, the distin-
guishcd gentlemen who honor the occasion
with their company. thank, too, my fel-
low citizens oil who now in uncounted mul.
titudes give me the succor and strength
of their sympathics and my soul overaows,
especially to tho young men of Boston,
out of whose hearts, as from an exuberant
fountain, this broad-spreading hospitality
takes its rise.
My earnest desire, often expressed, has
been that might be allowed to return home
quietly, without show OF demonstration Of
any kind And this longing has been en-
forced by my physical condition, which,
though vastly improved at this time, and ad-
vancing surely towards complete health, is
still exposed t. the peril of relapse, or at
least to the arrest of those kindly processes
OF nature essential to the restoration of u
shattered system. But tho spontaneous
kindness OF this reception makos me forget
my weakness-makcs mo forget my desire
for repIse. ,.
More than Eve months have passed since
was disabled from tho performance of my
public duties. During this weary period ]
have been constrained to repeat daily the
lesson of renunciation-confined ut iint t0
my bed, and then only slowly rcsaining the
power even to walk. But beyond the con-
slant, irrepressible grief which must well
up in the breast Of every patriot US he dis
Germs the resent condition Of his country
my chief sorrow has been caused by the me-
ccSsity to which was doomed, Of renounc-
ing all part in tho contest for human rights
which, beginning IN Congress, has since en-
yeloped tho whole land. The Grecian chief
previously IN Of wound from the stcalthy
bite of snake, and left behind while hi
companions sailed to the siege Of roy, die
not repine more at his enforced seclusion.-
From day to day and week to week vainly
sought that health which We value most on
ly when lost, and which now pcrpetually
eluded my grasp. For health ! strove; fo'
health prayed. With uncertain steps
sought it at the seashorc and l sought 1t OF
the mountain.top. .......
l Two voices are there one is Of the sea,
One /. ~ N. mountains each mighty voice
i In both fro age 10 age thou dds rlolce,
\ they we're thy choss music. Lbery
| listened to the admonitions Of medical skill
and courted all the bracing influences ol
nature, while Time passed without the &C
customed healing on its wings. j had conf
IDENTIFY hoped to be restored so as to take m,
seat in the Senate, and to be heard Their
again long before the session closed. Bu
Congress adjourned, leaving mcstill an in
valid. My next hope was that might b
permitted to appear before the people dur
ing the present canvass, and with heart ant
mind plead the great cause which Is now IL
issue. But here again i havo been diap
pointed; and the thread Of my disability h
no. vet spun to the end. Even now, though
happily lifted from my long prostrati0n, ant
beginning to assume many Of tho condition.
Of health, ON constrained to confess tha
] am still an invalid-cheered, however. D,
| the assurance that shall soon, with unim
paired vigor be permitted to resume all tn
responsibilities Of my position.
i Too much have said about myself: bu
!. you will pardon it to the occasion, which
being pcponal in its character, invites thos'
~ t.rrYt u 1t ...s