Volume 6 — EFFECT OF A VOTE FOR BUCHANAN: APPEAL TO THE REPUBLICANS OF ILLINOIS.

Letter to a Committee of Republicans at Joliet, October 2, 1856.

The local paper reports that this letter “was received with tremendous applause.”

Philadelphia, October 2, 1856.

DEAR SIR,—I am sorry that I cannot be with the Republicans of Illinois at Joliet on the 8th of October, according to the invitation with which they have honored me; but inexorable, long-continued disability and the admonitions of medical skill keep me back still from all public effort, and even from return to my home, which I have not visited for more than ten months.

It is hard to renounce the opportunity which you offer me; for I have constantly hoped to visit Illinois during the present contest, and in plain language put to her people the questions which they are to decide by their votes. These are all involved in the Freedom of Kansas, but they are manifold in form.

Are you against the extension of Slavery? If yea, then vote for Fremont.

Are you especially against the extension of Slavery BY FORCE? If yea, then vote for Fremont.

Are you against the erection of the Slave Oligarchy as the dominant power in our Republic? If yea, then vote for Fremont.

Are you against the violation of the constitutional rights of American citizens? If yea, then vote for Fremont.

Audacious sophistry, often exposed, but still flaunting abroad, may seek to deceive you. It may foam with abuse and bristle with perversion of fact; but it cannot obscure the unquestionable truth, which now stares everybody in the face, that a vote for Buchanan is a vote for all these bad things. It is a vote not simply for the extension of Slavery, but also for the extension of Slavery BY FORCE, involving, besides, the erection of the Slave Oligarchy as the dominant power in our Republic, and the violation of the constitutional rights of American citizens. Surely, Illinois will not be led to sanction such enormities. Hers will be the path of Liberty, which is, of course, the path of true patriotism. Through her agency incalculable harm has already come to the Republic; but I cannot forget that she has begun a glorious reparation, by introducing to the National Councils a Senator of rare skill in debate, of sweetest purity of character, and of perfect loyalty to those principles by which Liberty will be secured, and our good name extended in history. I refer to Mr. Trumbull, who now belongs to the whole country, which is justly grateful for his eminent services. With his example before her, Illinois cannot wander again into the support of Slavery.

Give to the Republicans of Illinois my hearty God-speed, and let my absence speak to them.

Ever faithfully yours,

Charles Sumner.

To Hon. J. O. Norton.