tory and logic of this speech as
to make it his own. Hence, in replying to the one of these Senators, we
at the same time virtually reply to the other.

We select the speech of Mr. Sumner for examination, because it is
generally considered the more powerful of the two. It is, indeed, the
most elaborate speech ever made in the Senate of the United States, or
elsewhere, on the subject of the Fugitive Slave Law. Even Mr. Weller
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
effort by the record of what an American Senator has this day done,"
etc.

We have no doubt that young men may attempt to imitate the speech in
question; but, as they grow older, it is to be hoped that their taste
will improve. The 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 oration, which so completely ravished _three
Senators_, 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 judgment," he continues, "the speech of my friend
from Massachusetts will make a NEW ERA in American history." Indeed, Mr.
Sumner himself does not seem altogether dissatisfied with this effort,
if we may judge from the 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 the only abolitioni