Hon. William L. Marshall, an able Judge of Maryland, wrote from Baltimore:—
“You have exhausted the subject, it seems to me, so far as it involves legal questions. I have been greatly pleased and much interested by your argument.”
L. D. Stickney, of Florida, wrote from Washington:—
“I have read your speech on the confiscation of the property of Rebels with the liveliest interest and with entire approbation. Long a citizen of the South, I have nevertheless been a steadfast Republican of the school of Jefferson and of J. Quincy Adams,—a Republican to elevate men to the proper status of freemen, not to degrade them to slavery. While the unthinking and those of violent prejudices call you fanatical, no man properly qualified to judge of men and events can survey your parliamentary history without acknowledging your claim to the highest plane of statesmanship. I reverence Sir James Mackintosh as the brightest example of great men whom the world will not willingly let die. Tried by no other standard than your speeches in the Thirty-Seventh Congress alone, you will stand unchallenged by the enlightened judgment of mankind, his co-rival in that fame which makes his name cherished by scholars everywhere, and by all men of good report.”
While expressing sympathy with this speech, many at this time, like the last writer, referred to the series of efforts by Mr. Sumner during this session. Among these was Hon. Samuel E. Sewall, of Boston, the able lawyer and tried Abolitionist, who repeated the kindly appreciation which he had expressed on other occasions.
“Your course during the present session has not only delighted your friends, but I think has given great satisfaction to the mass of your constituents, as well as to all throughout the country whose opinions are of any value.
“Any man might think his life well spent, who, in its whole course, had said and done no more in the cause of freedom and justice than you have in the six months past.”
Hon. Charles W. Upham, the author, and former Representative in Congress, wrote from Salem:—
“You have nobly presented and thoroughly exhausted all the subjects you have treated. I rejoice in your success, and cordially indorse your sentiments. May you live to witness the progressive triumphs of the great cause to which you are devoted!”