"Time has passed," he said, "but the question remains." A little more than four years before, he had essayed to describe "The Crime against Kansas"; now, in an address free from offensive personalities but more unsparing in rhetoric and stronger in historical arraignment, he delineated what he named the "Barbarism of Slavery." Picturing to ourselves the orator, the circumstances, and the theme, we can comprehend the exaltation with which he exclaimed in his exordium: "Slavery must be resisted not only on political grounds, but on all other grounds, whether social, economical, or moral.

Ours is no holiday contest; nor is it any strife of rival factions--of White and Red Roses; of theatric Neri and Bianchi; but it is a solemn battle between Right and Wrong, between Good and Evil....

Grander debate has not occurred in our history, rarely in any history; nor can this debate close or subside except with the triumph of Freedom." With this speech Sumner resumed his place as a conspicuous figure and an indefatigable energy in national politics and legislation, tireless in attacking and pursuing slavery until its final overthrow.
-- -------- [1] Preston S.Brooks died in Washington, January 27, 1857; Andrew P.
Butler died in South Carolina, May 25, 1857..