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Show 312 LIBERTY AND SLAVERY. more powerful of the two. It is, indeed, the most elaborate speech ever made in the Senate of tho United States, or elsewhere, on tho subject of the Fugitive Slave Law. Even Mr. Woller found it "so handsomely embellished with poetry, both Latin and English, so full of classical allusions and rhetorical flourishes," as to make it more palatable than he supposed an abolition speech could possibly be made. As to the abolitionists themselves, they seem to know no bounds in their enthusiastic admiration of this sublime effort of their champion. We should not wonder, indeed, if many a female reformer had gone into hysterics over an oration which has received such violent bursts of applause from grave and dignified Senators. "By this effort," says Mr. Hale, he has placed "himself side by side with the first orators of antiquity, and as far ahead of any living American orator as freedom is ahead of slavery. I believe that he has formed to-day a new era in the history of the politics and of the eloquence of the country; and that in future generations the young men of this nation will be stimulated to efl'ort by the record of what an American Senator bas this day done," &c. We have no doubt that young men may at- THE FUGITIVE SLAVE LAW. 313 tempt to imitate tho speech in question; but, as they grow older, it is to be hoped that their taste will improve. Tho speech in question will make a "new era" in the tactics of abolitionism, and that is all. We shall see this when we come to examine this wonderful omtion, which so completely ravished three Senat01·s, and called forth such wild shouts of applause from the whole empire of abolitionism. Mr. Chase seems almost equally delighted with this marvellous effort. "I avow my conviction, now and here," says he, "that, logically and historically, his argument is impregnable-entirely impregnable." ...... "In my judg-ment," he _continues, "the speech of my friend from Massachusetts will make a NEW ERA in American . history." Indeed, Mr. Sumner himself docs not seem altogether dissatisfied with this effort, if we may judge from tho manner in which it is referred to in his other speeches. We do not blame him for this. We can see no reason why he should be tho only abolitionist in the universe who is not enraptured with his o1·ation. But when he so "fearlessly asserts" that his speech "has never been answered," we beg leave to assure him that it rn(ly be refuted 27 |
