The Portland daily press., 1862-10-11
COMMUNICATIONS.
Speech Of Hon. Charles Sumner.

speech OF Hon. Charles Sumner.
Below we give copious extracts from the
speech of Mr.. Sumner, delivered in Faneuil
Hall, Oct. 9th. The speech occupied over two
hours in delivery, and it would fill at least
eight or ten columns of our paper: of course
we can give only extracts, but these shall be
the most characteristic portions. Near the in
PRODUCTION, referring undoubtedly to the 'no
party movement to be the next day Inaugural
ted, he very felcitously said:
Surely this is no time for the strife of party.
Its jealousies and antipathies are now more
than ever irrational. Its clamors of opposi-
tion are now more than ever unpatriotic. I'm
happily there are some to whom its bitter un-
forgiying temper has become so controlling,
that even at this moment they would rather
enlist to put down political enemy than 10
put down the rebel enemy of our country:
they would rather hang Henry Wilson or John
A. Andrew than hang Jefferson Davis or Rob-
ert Toombs Such persons, with all their swell
tered venom, are to be found here in Massa-
chusetts. Assuming the badge of "no party"
they are ready for any party, new or old, by
which their predjudices may be gratifed, thus
verifying the pungent words of Col. Benton:
wherever you will show me man with the
words "no party" in his mouth, / will show
you a man that figures at the head or bangles
at the tail of the most inveterate party that
ever existed" OF course, such persons can
not be expected TO take part In a meeting like
the present, which seeks to unite rather than
to divide, while it rallies all to the support of
the President and of that policy of freedom
which he has proclaimed.
PROCLAMATION OF THE PRESIDENT
Thank God, that live to enjoy this day!
Thank God that my eyes have not closed
without seeing this great salvation. The skies
are brighter and the air is purer, now that
slavery has been handed over to Judgment.
BY the proclamation of the President all
persons held as slaves Jan 1st, 1868, within
any State or designated part of a State, the
people whereof shall then be in rebellion
against the United States, shall be then, thence
forward and forever free; and the Executive
Government of the United States, including
the military and naval authority thereof viii
recognize and maintain the freedom of such
persons, and will do no act or acts to repress
such persons or any of them in any efforts
they may make for their actual freedom. But
beyond these most effective words, which do
not go into operation before the new year,
there are other words of immediate operation,
constituting present Edict of Emancipation.
For myself | accept the proclamation with
out note or comment. 1t is enough for me
that in the exercise of the war power. it struck
at the origin and handspring of this rebellion,
for have never concealed the conviction that
1t mattered little where we struck slavery, pro-
vided only that we stsuck it sincerely and in
earnest.
We omit that portion Of the speech which
Is devoted TO a defence of the speakers official
acts.
SPEAKS NOT AS AN ABoLITIoNIsT
Not as an aboltionist, not as an anti-slavery
man; not even as phlanthropist, if | may
claim that honored name, do now speak. l
forget for the moment all the unutterable
wrong of slavery and all the transcendent
blessings of freedom; for they do not belong
to this argument. think only of my country,
menaced by rebellion, and ask how it shall be
saved. But have no polcy-no theory-no
resolutions to support; nothing which / will
not gladly abandon If you will show me any
thing better.
OBJECT OF THE WAR.
And now what is the object of the wal? This
question is often asked, and the object is not
always candid. 1t is sometimes said that il is
to abolish slavery. Here is a mistake or a mis-
representation. Ii Is sometimes said in flash
language, that the object is sthe Constitution
as it is,' and the Union as it was" Here is
another mistake or misrepresentation, which
is more offensive, when it is known that by
right to hold and hunt slaves; and by "the
Union as it was" is meant those halcyon DAYS
ofpro-slavery democracy when the balot-box
was destroyed In Kansas; when freedom OF
debate was menaced in the Senate and when
chains were put upon the Boston Court House
Not for any of these things Is this war waged.
Not to abolish slavery; or to establish slavery;
but simply to put down the rebellion. But
this question occurs; how can the object be
best accomplished?
The utter impossibility of peaceabe separ-
alton is demonstrated-that separation would
involve interminable war and chaos, and that
subjugation of, or submission to, rebellion, are
the only alternatives remaining.l
QUALITY OF OUR TROOPS.
Armies and men we have the rarest quality.
Better never entered field, or kept step TO
drum-beat. Intelligent and patriotic, they
have left pleasant homes in order to offer them
selves, if need be, for their country. They
are no common hirelings, mere food for pow
der, but generous citizens, who have deter
mined that their country shall be saved. Away
IN camp, or battle, or hospital, let them not be
forgotten. But better than gratitude even, we
owe them the protection which comes from
GOOD Generals, and courageous counses. Oh,
Godl Let them not be led to useless slaugh-
ter like sheep, and let them not be compelled
10 take the hazard OF death, from climate and
exposure, as well as from ball and bay
onet, without giving them at once all the al
lies which can be rallied to their support In
the name of humanity, and for the sake of vic
tory, make this appeal But the loyal every
where are allies to the soldier