BY CHARLES SUMNER WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY EDWIN D. MEAD PUBLISHED FOR THE INTERNATIONAL UNION GINN & COMPANY, BOSTON 1904 INTRODUCTION. CHARLES SUMNER began his public life by what he himself called a declaration of war against war. His great oration in Tremont Temple on "The True Grandeur of Nations" marked, his biographer rightly observes, the most important epoch in Sumner's life. "Had he died before this event, his memory would have been only a tradition with the few early friends who survive him. The 4th of July, 1845, gave him a national, and more than a national, fame." Epochmaking in Sumner's own life, we think it may be safely said that no oration which he ever gave has greater intrinsic importance, and perhaps no other will be read so long. Of all pleas made by American men for the rule of peace on earth, it is the noblest and the most comprehensive, save Sumner's own later address on "The War System of Nations." There is almost no argument against war which these orations and their successor do not somehow make use of; and the advocate of peace in all the years returns to them, and returns again, for support and inspiration. The bringing together in a single volume, as is now done for the first time, of all of Sumner's three great addresses on war and peace is a distinct public service; and every philanthropist and every true philo-American will wish the volume the widest currency and influence. V |