New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-05-20
To this invitation M Sumner has retained he bE
low ing graceful and eloquent reply;

" HOTEL PAIs Rue de la PAX, April 81.
GEsrLENEs: have been honored by your com
muncation Of the 2sth April in which after referring
to my services az Senator of the United States, IN
language which il generous beyond the ordinary eI-
p.rience Of political life, you are pleased 10 invite me-
IN the name Of the American merchants residing az
Paris TO public dinner, az such time az may be Ho-'
convenient 10 myself.
THE voice OF hospitality is pleasant in a strange
lard. Bat the hospitality which you Offer ne - en-
HANGED by the character and number oi tho-s VINO
unite in it-among whom | recognize well-known
names which are intimately associated with the COM
merCe Of nv country in of It's most important OUT
posts.
especially grateful L, Is this II have been able 70
do ANYTHING not unworthy of your appreciation II l.
because have never failed whether in pajouties or
Hiuorities agaip-t all oboquy and at every hazard,
20 uphold those principles OF Liberty winch, lus Ia
proportion n they prevail under our constitution,
make Us an example 10 the nations. And since my
pubic course cannot BE- unknown 10 you, am per-
nit,,d 10 infer that the public testimony with which
YOU now honor Is offered in some measure TO those
pin oipes-dearer TO than any personal distinction
with which am proud 10 know thai my name y
associated.
THE invitation you sent me, coming from such
source, couched in terms 80 tattenng ana possessing
such al import, presents temptation dhcult 10 re-
sit But am admonshed by the state OF my health,
which is yet far from is natural vgor that must MT
ten to il exceptto express my gratitude. In making
this excuse let me fortify myself by the confession
that left home mainly 10 withdraw from the excite
ment- of public life aud particularly from all public
speaking in the assurance that by such withdrawal,
accompanied by that relaxation which il found in u
char ge of pursuit, my convalescence would be com,
prt.d. The good physician under whose advice L
have acted would not admit that by crossing the sea
had been able at 10 alter all the conditions I'M
der which his advice was given.
But cannot turn cOldly from the opportunity you
offer me- My heart overtiows with best wishes for
yourselves individually and also for the commerce
which YOU conduct mingled with aspirations that your
influence may always add TO the welfare and just re-
nown Of our country. A. American merchants at
Paris YOU are representatives Of the United States on
a foreign mission, without diplomatic salary or dipo-
matte privilege. But it belongs 10 the felicity OF your
position that what You do well for yourselves will be
ell for your country, and than any diplomacy,
will contribute ~ strengthen the friendly ties OF two
powerful nations. Pardon the allusion when add
that YOU ore the daily industrious workmen III that
mighty loom whose frame stands on the coasts OF OPP
posite contnents-whose threads are Atlantic voy-
aees-whose colOrs the various enterprises aud
activities of benefeeDt commerce, and whose Well
wrought product il a radiant, speaking tssue-Inore
beautiful to the minds eye than any fabric oi rarest
French skll-more marvellous than any tapestry
woven for kings-where every color mlngles with
every thread in Gompetet harmony and on the grand
est scale TO display the trumphs and the blessings OF
peace. ~, , Iii, .,,
ia,c;,i,en CHARLES SUMNER
To Jobn Munroe B. c. Wainwright Elliot G. Cowdn, esqs
and Others, American merchants at Psris'