Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and letters of Charles Sumner: volume 2

[326] filled with the desire to import from other States and nations whatever of improvement or light they may be able to furnish; in short, to naturalize in our own country the virtues of foreign lands.

As you have given new importance to the subject of education, so you have elevated the position and character of our schoolmasters; vindicating for them the esteem and consideration which are properly due to those into whose hands, as precious hostages for the future, are committed the children of the Commonwealth.

By means of your labors you have contributed essentially to the happiness and prosperity of the Commonwealth, and also to its fame in other States. Your name helps to make the name of Massachusetts respectable throughout our own country and in distant lands.

If it be true, as has been said, that he is a benefactor who makes two blades of grass grow where only one grew before, how much more is he a benefactor who infuses new energies into a whole people, doubling in ten thousand souls the capacities for usefulness and happiness!

In the contemplation of the successful results of your labors, you must find springs of encouragement to which little can be added by any words of ours. Such words would be drowned in the voice of all the good you have done, speaking from the past, and bidding you to be of good cheer for the future. Let hope elevate and joy brighten your countenance!

But we cannot dissemble from you what you discern so much more clearly than ourselves, that, although much has been done, much more remains to be done. In the warfare with ignorance there is neither peace nor neutrality. The enemy is always among us, in extensive encampment, wakeful, hardly so much as sleeping on his arms, ready for the contest. In this warfare you are our leader. Our services and sympathies will be always at your command. We would join with you on all possible occasions and in all possible ways to advance the cause in which you are engaged.

May God continue to you strength for your labors, and may the happiness which you have diffused among your fellow-men be reflected into your own fireside!

A personal testimonial to Mr. Mann was at first contemplated; but as this was found not agreeable to him, a plan was adopted for raising by private subscriptions five thousand dollars, to aid in the erection of new buildings for the Normal Schools at Westfield and Bridgewater, those in use having been condemned as unsuitable.¹ The amount was to be paid on condition of an appropriation of an equal amount by the State. Sumner took the lead in raising the money, and was chairman of the committee which presented the memorial to the Legislature² in favor