New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-09-11
s p E ECH
HON. CHARLES SUMNER,
CITIZENS OF new. YORK. AT COOPER INSTITUTE,
September 10, 1868.
BrFOkF THE

Last evening Cooper Institute was filed to
oyerilowing with polite and enthusiastic audi
ence, convened to hear the Hon. Charles Sum.
ner deliver his address ON the subject Of our
Foreign Relations.
Long before the time appointed for opening
the meeting. every seat was occupied and the
platform and aislos were crowded with spec,a-
tors.
When the distinguished Senator made biz
appearance, he was greeted with the warlnest
demonstrations Of approval, cheer following
cheer until the vast hall shook with the ringing
plaudiis Of The enthusiastic and patriotic audi
tors.
The Hon. David Dudley Field introduced the
Speaker in few appropriate remarks, which
were loudly chcercd.
Mr. sliiher was in good health and spirits,
and spoke with his usual icryor and power
FmLow-C ITIzKss: From the beginning of
the IN which are nov engaged, the public
niercs, has slieruatcd anriously between the cur
rca or events at homo and the more dis,an; cuucnt
abroad forci.r bcla,ioys have bocH hardly iass
abforl .ng tlau Domestic Relations. AZ times the
latter have seemed TO saii upon the former and a
packet from Europe has been like q messenger from
the seat Of war. Rumors Of Foreign Intervention
ore constant, nov Ii the form Of Mediation, and now
In the form Of Recognition; and more than once
The country has been summoned 10 confront the
idea Of England and II France, too, In open COM
bin,iion with Rebel slayo-monecrs battling in the
name Vi Slavery 70 build an infamous Power on the
destruction Of this Republic
II mas be- well for us 10 turn aside nom battle and
siege here Ut hoine-from the blazing lines of Get
tysburg. NicishurF aud Charleston To glance for
momon, IT tho pclils from abroad. Of course mean
from England ~ France, for these are the only
Foreign Powers that thus far have been moved to
n,cu4cddlc on the side Of slavery. The subject to
which now invite attention may not have the at
traction Of waving standards or victorious marches
but more than any conlic, Of arms, IT concerns the
Civilization Of the age. II Foreign Powers can
Justly interfere against Human Freedom, this Re-
public will no, be- the only sufferer.
Then Is always q natural orlcr in unfoldiurasul.
oct, ard shall ~ 10 pursue 1t Oh this occasion,
uadc. the following heads;
F4E The p,rils 10 our country from Foreign
Poscrs especially as iorcshaiowcd in The uncy.
pcc;od and persistent conduct of England and
Franc, fnce the outbreak Of the war.
Second, Tho nature of Foreign Intervention by
Mediation, with tho principles applicable thereto,
a. illustrated by historic misunderstanding espc-
c.ally how England, by her conspicuous wide
spread and Undetermined Intcrycntionto promote
the extinction of African Slavery, Is ,rcrocrbiy
eommitfci ogaiAH oay acf or poicy nat en en-
courage M.s criminal prcfensi0A.
Tiild, The nature OF Foreign Intervention by
Recognition, with tie principles applicable thereto
as illustrated by historic misunderstanding that
by tie practice of nations and especially by the
declared sentiments OF British Statesmen there can
b. no Fo,cigH Recognfion If an Iasargcnt Pcrcr
chcre hc co.a~st jar Independence IS siH pending.
Fourth. The moral npossibility of Foreign Re-
cogntion. even il the pretended Power be dc facio
Indcpendcni, where it is composed of Rebel Slave
mongcrs seeking to found nc,c Power with slavery
for is declared cornerstone" Pardon he truth
nl plainncss of the terms which employ. l am to
sneak not merely of Shareholders; but Of people 10
whom Slavery Is passion and "A lusincss-thero-
fore sayemongcrs; now in Rebellion for the sake
ram: The absurdity and wrong Of concedng
O4ean Bcligerency to pretended Power, which
in the first place, is without Prize Cour,-so that
il cannot bc an Ocean Bclligorcnt IN fact-and
which, in the second place, even if Ocean Bolgcr-
cnt ia fact, is of such odous character that its
Recognition is moral impossibility.
From this review touching upon the present and
the past; leaning upon history and upon law; en-
lichtencd always by principles which an uner-
ling guide, our conclusion will be easy.
I.-PERrIs FROM FOREIGN POWERS.
The pcrils TO our country, as foreshadowcd in the
action of Foreign Powers since the outbreak OF the
war, first invite our attention.
There is something in the tendencies Of nations
which must not be neglected Like individuals,
nations influence each other; like the heavenly
bodies they may be disturbed by each other in their
appointed orbits. This is apparent even in peace;