It is sometimes said, somewhat lightly, that France is a Republic without Republicans. A great mistake. Was not Lafayette a Republican? And I now have the honor of presenting to you another.
THE GREAT FIRE AT CHICAGO, AND OUR DUTY.
Speech at Faneuil Hall, at a Meeting for the Relief of Sufferers at Chicago, October 10, 1871.
The meeting was at noon, and the chair taken by the Mayor, Hon. William Gaston. Hon. Alexander H. Rice introduced resolutions, and spoke, when Mr. Sumner followed:—
Mr. Mayor and Fellow-Citizens:—
I come forward to second the resolutions moved by my friend Mr. Rice, and to express my hope that they may be adopted unanimously, and then acted upon vigorously.
Fellow-Citizens, I had expected to be elsewhere to-day; but, thinking of the distress of distant friends and countrymen, my heart was too full for anything else, and, putting aside other things, I have come to Faneuil Hall, as a simple volunteer, to help swell this movement of sympathy and beneficence.