Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-02-25

CEEBRATIoN OF WAsHINGToN's BIRTHDAY.
The Mercantile Library Association of Bos-
ton, had a pleasant time on Friday last, the
22d. in celebrating the anniversary of the
birthday of the Father of his Country. An
Grafton was delivered by Edward Everett, in
his most eloquent vein Among the invited
guests were the Governor, Lieut.. Governor,
President of the Senate, Speaker of the
House, Mayor Rice, and other official and So
cial dignitaries of the city and State. Letters
were read, from President Pierce, Gen. Cass,
Senator Summer, Washington Irving, and
others. The letter of Mr.. Sumner, so char
acteristic oil the man, and SO appropriate to the
time and occasion, we give below. There will
be noticed in it a tone in striking contrast with
the letter of the President, and with the tone
of the Grafton, which, of course, had the usual
palaver about 1.-THE Union" The President
might wisely draw lessons Of wisdom from
the Senator -
WASHINGTON, Feb, 1856.
Dear Sir:-I have been honored by your in
vitation to be with the Mercantile Library As
ISOLATION on the 22d inst You know we'll the
A"PptASss AHu III any cO-opeIEtlOH Win the
young men Of that associations; and need not
assure you of the qualification with which l
should participate in any services calculated to
exalt the eH ample of Washignton.
Particularly at this moment should it be in
Toked, when the republic, which he helped to
found, seems to shake with first throes of civil
war, engendered by an interest which was
condemned by him during life and formally
abjnred by him at his death. His great name
should now be employed for the suppression
OF that slave power, which is the fruitful
mother of SO much wretchednesA. 1t will not
be enough to quote his paternal words for
Union. His example must be arrayed against
the gigantic wrong which now disturbs this
Union to its centre, and which in the madress
of its tyranny, destroys the very objects of
Union.
The play of Othello without the part of
Othello would be barren spectacle, and the
example of Washington, without his testimony
against the malevolent force which now dis
turbs the republic, would be hardly less bar.
rem. Let the young men OF Boston be encoura
aged to dwell on those sentiments and acts,
which, while they elevate his name, apply
with prevailing power to the existing state Of
things among us. Let them bear in mind that
he declared it to be Z" among kis first ,cishes
to see some plan adopted by which slavery in
THIS country may De n00ttSHen Oy tao; That to
promote this purpose he expressed desire in
recorded interview with distingui she'd for
eigner for the formation of an anti-slavery So
cety; that on many occasions he condemned
slavery; that in congratulations to Lafayette
on his purchase Of plantation with view of
emancipating the slaves on it, he exclaimed,
" Would to God like spirit might diffuse it.
self generally in the minds OF the people of
Nhis country" and that, finally, by his last
will and testament, written within one year of
his death, he bone his practical testimony to
those ideas and aspirations, by the emancipa-
ton of his slaves. With these things taken
to heart, the exsmple OF Washington will ex-
ert its just conservative influence over the
country, holding il back from The extension
Of that evil, against which he set himself, and
arousing the general sentiment, to repuse the
aggressions which now threaten civil war;
Then, indeed, will the Father Of his Country,
though dead yet speak.
Believe me, my dear sir, very faithfully
yours, CHARLES SUMNER.
Charles g. Chase, Esq., &c., &c., &C.,