are no more. Where are Assyria and Egypt, the civilization of Greece,
the universal dominion of Rome? They founded empires of conquest, which
have perished by the sword by which they rose. Is it to be with us as
with them? I hope not--I think not. But if the day of our decline should
arise, we shall at least have the consolation of knowing that we have
left behind us a race which shall perpetuate our name and reproduce our
greatness. Was there ever parent who had juster reason to be proud of
its offspring? Was there ever child that had more cause for gratitude to
its progenitor? From whom but us did America derive those institutions
of liberty, those instincts of government, that capacity of greatness,
which have made her what she is, and which will yet make her that which
she is destined to become? These are things which it becomes us both to
remember and to think upon. And, therefore, it is that, as our
distinguished guest, with innate modesty, has already said, this is not
a mere personal festivity--this is no occasional compliment. We see in
it a deeper and wider significance. We celebrate in it the union of two
nations. While I ask you to return your thanks to our chairman I think I
may venture also to ask of our guest a boon which he will not refuse us.
We have a great message to send, and we have here a messenger worthy to
bear it. I will ask Mr. Garrison to carry back to his home the prayer of
this assembly and of this nation that there may be forever and forever
peace and good will between England and America. For the good will of
America and England is nothing less than the evangel of liberty and of
peace. And who more worthy to preside over such a gospel than the
chairman to whom I ask you to return your thanks to-day? I beg to
propose that the thanks of the meeting be given to Mr. Bright.

FOOTNOTE:

[2] Speech at breakfast held in London in honor of Mr. Garrison, June