The New York _Independent_ published the speech promptly upon its delivery, with the remark:--
“The following masterly and patriotic speech was made by Hon. Charles Sumner at the recent Republican Convention in Massachusetts which renominated Governor Andrew.”
The same paper, in another issue, followed the speech with a tribute which has merit of its own.
“We thank thee, Sumner! Thou hast spoken the word God gave to thy safe keeping; thou hast set Life, Death, before the nation; thou hast hurled Thy single pebble, plucked from Truth’s pure stream, Into the forehead of a Giant Wrong, And it doth reel and tremble. Men may doubt, But the keen sword of Right shall finish well Thy brave beginning.
“Courage, then, true soul! Not vainly hast thou spoken; angels heard, And shook from their glad harps a gush of joy That the _One Word_ was uttered in men’s ears, The ‘Open Sesame’ by which alone True Freedom and true Peace might enter in, Making earth like to heaven.
“Then bide thy time. What thou hast spoken as ’t were in the ear Shall be proclaimed on housetops. God locks up In His safe garner every seed of Truth, Until the time shall come to cast it forth, Saying, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, and fill The broad earth, till it shouts its harvest-home.’ His purposes are sure; who works with Him Need fear no failure. By my hopes of heaven, I’d rather speak one word for Truth and Right, That God shall hear and treasure up for use In working out His purposes of good, Than clutch the title-deed that should insure A kingdom to my keeping!--so, in faith, I speak my simple word, and, fearing not, Commit it to His hands whom I do serve.
“And thus it is, O friend, that I have dared To send thee greeting and this word of cheer. God bless thee, Sumner, and all souls like thine, Working serene and patient in His cause! God give thee of the fruit of thine own hands, And let thine own works praise thee in the gates Of the new city, whose foundation-stones Thy hands are laying, though men see it not!
“The Hon. Charles Sumner yesterday delivered an eloquent speech at the Republican Convention at Worcester, Mass., which we print this morning. He confined himself almost exclusively to a consideration of the subject of Slavery in its relation to the war; he took the ground that the overthrow of Slavery will at once make an end of the war, and justified that policy by many historic examples.”