29, 1867.




THE QUALITIES THAT WIN

BY CHARLES SUMNER


Mr. President and Brothers of New England:--For the first time in my
life I have the good fortune to enjoy this famous anniversary festival.
Tho often honored by your most tempting invitation, and longing to
celebrate the day in this goodly company of which all have heard so
much, I could never excuse myself from duties in another place. If now I
yield to well-known attractions, and journey from Washington for my
first holiday during a protracted public service, it is because all was
enhanced by the appeal of your excellent president, to whom I am bound
by the friendship of many years in Boston, in New York, and in a foreign
land. It is much to be a brother of New England, but it is more to be a
friend, and this tie I have pleasure in confessing to-night.

It is with much doubt and humility that I venture to answer for the
Senate of the United States, and I believe the least I say on this head
will be the most prudent. But I shall be entirely safe in expressing my
doubt if there is a single Senator who would not be glad of a seat at
this generous banquet. What is the Senate? It is a component part of the
National Government. But we celebrate to-day more than any component
part of any government. We celebrate an epoch in the history of
mankind--not only never to be forgotten, but to grow in grandeur as