Interesting Correspondence with Honorable Charles Sumner

Interesting Correspondence with Honorable Charles Sumner.

When, several weeks since, the very favorable reports of Mr. SUMNER’S improved health reached the City, it was suggested by several of our leading gentlemen that a request be at once forwarded to the Honorable Senator, respectfully inviting him to again address the citizens of the Metropolis, and particularly the young men, upon the great moral and political questions of the day. In accordance with this suggestion the following paper was prepared, and a portion of the signatures obtained, before it was known that Mr. SUMNER meditated so early a departure for Europe. It was then determined to still present the request as a deserved compliment.

LETTER TO MR. SUMNER

NEW-YORK, Feb. 20, 1857.

Hon. CHARLES SUMNER.- Dear Sir: The undersigned, citizens of New-York, having heard with unfeigned delight of your comparative recovery from the serious illness so long preventing your appearance in public, respectfully ask that you will consent to address the “Young Men’s Central Republican Union” of this City, at such early day as may best suit your convenience, assuring you that it will afford us much gratification to listen once more to your eloquent arguments for Freedom and the right; and especially to have them presented to the young men of the metropolis.
With sentiments of high regard, we are
Your very obedient servants,

William G. Bryant, John Jay, Charles King, Moses H. Grinnell, Horace Greeley, Edwin D. Morgan, William Curtis Noyes, Jacob Little, Charles A. Dana, William M. Evarts, Henry J. Raymond, Thomas B. Stillman, David Dudley, George H. Andrews, George William Curtis, Horace B. Claffin, Rollin Stanford, James T. Hedge, Benjamin F. Munierre, John E. Williams, Edgar S. Van Winkle, William H. Mellen, Henry G. Bowen, William Allen Butler, J. F. Butterworth, Joseph Hoxie, David H. Gildersleeve, William V. Brady, George W. Blunt, Theodore McNamee.

MR. SUMNER’S REPLY

NEW-YORK, March 6, 1857.

GENTLEMEN: On the eve of sailing for France, to assure and complete my procreated convalescence, I am honored by your communication inviting me to address my fellow-citizens of New York. Were my health such as to justify any public effort, I should gladly seize the opportunity which I am now compelled to forego. About to visit a foreign shore, I should with pleasure attempt once more to fill my fellow citizens with something of that inextinguishable love which I bear to the institution of Freedom here established, and also with something of that inextinguishable hate which springs spontaneous in any breast for that organized Barbarism which, having its origin in Slavery, now torments our country, perverts its public policy, degrades its public men, and stamps its name upon our national history. With valedictory words I should seek to strengthen at once the love and the hate; believing that only in this way can Kansas be kept from being the prey of Slavery; only in this way can our liberties be preserved; and only in this way can the Republic be saved from becoming the mockery of the world.

Especially to the young men should I appeal. It is always a privilege to labor, and if need be to suffer, for a great cause; and let them well understand that this privilege is now theirs.

Accept my thanks for the honor of your invitation, and believe me gentlemen, with grateful respect.

To Messrs. W. C. Bryant, M. h. Grinnell, Chas. King, C. A. Dana, D. D. Field, W. M. Evarts and others.