Pains and penalties I will endure; but this great wrong I will not do. I cannot obey; but I can suffer,' was the exclamation of the author of Pilgrim's Progress, when imprisoned for disobedience to an earthly statute. Better suffer injustice than do it. Better be the victim than the instrument of wrong. Better be even the poor slave, returned to bondage, than the unhappy Commissioner.

"There is, sir, an incident of history, which suggests a parallel, and affords a lesson of fidelity. Under the triumphant exertions of that Apostolic Jesuit, St. Francis Xavier, large numbers of the Japanese, amounting to as many as two hundred thousand-among them princes, generals, and the flower of the nobility-were converted to Christianity. Afterwards, amidst the phrensy of civil war, religious persecution arose, and the penalty of death was denounced against all who refused to trample upon the effigy of the Redeemer. This was the Pagan law of a Pagan land. But the delighted historian records that scarcely one from the multitude of converts was guilty of this apostasy. The law of man was set at naught. Imprisonment, torture, death, were preferred. Thus did this people refuse to trample on the painted image. Sir, multitudes among us will not be less steadfast in refusing to trample on the living image of their Redeemer.

"Finally, sir, for the sake of peace and tranquillity, cease to shock the Public Conscience; for the sake of the Constitution, cease to exercise a power which is nowhere granted, and which violates inviolable rights expressly secured. Leave this question where it was left by our fathers, at the formation of our national government, in the absolute control of the States, the appointed guardians of personal liberty. Repeal this enactment. Let its terrors no longer rage through the land. Mindful of the lowly whom it pursues; mindful of the good men perplexed by its requirements; in the name of charity, in the name of the Constitution, repeal this enactment, totally and without delay. Be inspired by the example of Washington. Be admonished by those words of Oriental piety: Beware of the groans of the wounded souls. Oppress not to the utmost a single heart; for a solitary sigh has power to overset a whole world.""

Though this speech failed to accomplish the desired effect, yet, like the imperishable orations of Demosthenes, Cicero, Chatham, and Burke, it will be studied and admired by posterity, when, perhaps, the great national evils upon which it dwells shall have been forever banished the country.

CHAPTER IX.

Delivers a Speech at the Plymouth Festival-its eroration qucted -makes his memorable Speech in the Senate, The Landmark of Freedom; Freedom National-extracts-his final protest for himself and the Clergy of New England against Slavery in Nebraska and Kansas-his remarks on that occasion.

ON the 1st of August, 1853, Mr. Sumner made a brilliant speech at the Plymouth Festival in commemoration of the embarkation of the Pilgrims. His remarks on that interesting occasion were particularly felicitous, glowing with the flame of patriotic eloquence. His address was truly a noble "Finger-point from Plymouth Rock," in the closing sentiments of which we have these words:

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Sir, if the honors of this day are not a mockery; if they do not expend themselves in mere selfish gratulation; if they are a sincere homage to the character of the Pilgrims-and I cannot suppose otherwise, then is it well for us to be here. Standing on Plymouth Rock, at their great anniversary, we cannot fail to be elevated by their example. We see clearly what it has done for the

world, and what it has done for their fame. No pusillanimous soul here to-day will declare their self-sacrifice, their deviation from received opinions, their unquenchable thirst for liberty, an error or illusion. From gushing multitudinous hearts we now thank these lowly men that they dared to be true and brave. Conformity or compromise might, perhaps, have purchased for them a profitable peace, but not peace of mind; it might have secured place and power, but not repose; it might have opened a present shelter, but not a home in . history and in men's hearts till time shall be no more. All will confess the true grandeur of their example, while, in vindication of a cherished principle, they stood alone, against the madness of men, against the law of the land, against their king. Better be the despised Pilgrim, a fugitive for freedom, than the halting politician, forgetful of principle, with a Senate at his heels.'

"Such, sir, is the voice from Plymouth Rock, as it salutes my ears. Others may not hear it. But to me it comes in tones which I cannot mistake. I catch its words of noble cheer:

'New occasions teach new duties; Time makes ancient good un

couth;

They must upward still and onward, who would keep abreast of Truth:

Lo, before us gleam her camp-fires! we ourselves must Pilgrims be, Launch our Mayflower, and steer boldly through the desperate winter sea.'"

The next great senatorial effort of Mr. Sumner was his speech against the repeal of the Missouri prohibition of Slavery north of 36° 30′ in the Nebraska and Kansas Bill, delivered in the Senate, February 21, 1854. This speech, which is known by the title of The Landmark of Freedom; Freedom National, is one of the ablest and most earnest vindications of national justice ever made in a legislative body. The opening remarks, which we quote, are very forcible and eloquent, and afford an excellent example of Mr. Sumner's character as a lover of right and a defender of freedom.

“MR. PRESIDENT: I approach this discussion with awe. The mighty question, with its untold issues, oppresses me. Like a portentous cloud, surcharged with irresistible storm and ruin, it seems to fill the whole heavens, making me painfully conscious how unequal I am to the occasion— how unequal, also, is all that I can say, to all that I feel.

"In delivering my sentiments here to-day, I shall speak frankly-according to my convictions, without concealment or reserve. But if any thing fell from the Senator from Illinois [Mr. Douglas], in opening this discussion, which might seem to challenge a personal contest, I desire to say that I shall not enter upon it. Let not a word or a tone pass my lips, to direct attention, for a moment,