Boston, Tuesday, 25th April, 1852.
My Dear Sumner:
— I am only waiting to see Kossuth and to ascertain whether I can do anything
for his cause, after which I shall flit for Washington.
There is considerable stir and bustle, and note of
preparation in our streets (half-past twelve). He will probably be here
in an hour or two. I shall hardly go out, for I have no part to play, and I
shrink from the crowd and the noise. My whole heart and soul is with this man
and his noble cause. I hail him as prophet of good, as high priest of humanity,
and I would cheerfully make any sacrifices in my power to aid him in his holy
work; but I cannot push forward in the crowd who will be eager to attract his
notice. Wilson dined with me on Sunday to meet George [Sumner] and he told me
he should have me down among the invited guests at the banquet — but for that I
should only see K—— in private, if I can get an interview. He wrote a very kind
answer to my letter inviting him to accept my house.
About George, I hardly know what to say. I think he will be
well received except by the ultras of the Hunkers. He dines with
Prescott on Thursday. Your sisters will probably have told you who and which
have called upon him. He is cautious about committing himself in the Kossuth
matter. I do not like caution; it betokens little faith in God's arrangement,
by which the truth is sure to prevail sooner by bold and open declaration. I
reproach myself bitterly for want of faith and courage in my past. The rocks on
which most of my hopes have split, — approbativeness, the care for what this
one or the other may think. There is nothing good, nothing enduring, nothing
worth living for, nothing worth dying for, but truth.
Ever yours,
S. G. Howe.
SOURCE: Laura E. Richards, Editor, Letters and
Journals of Samuel Gridley Howe, Volume 2, p. 370-1
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