hich they were spoken. This much I would add--that highly as
I value your kindly utterances, I count still more highly the fact that
I should have been selected by you to respond for Music, whose dignity
and whose progress in England are so near and dear to me at heart.
[Cheers.]

CHARLES SUMNER

INTERCOURSE WITH CHINA

[Speech of Charles Sumner at the banquet given by the City of
Boston, August 21, 1868, to the Hon. Anson Burlingame, Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary from China, and his
associates, Chih Ta-jin and Sun Ta-jin, of the Chinese Embassy to
the United States and the powers of Europe.]

MR. MAYOR:--I cannot speak on this interesting occasion without
first declaring the happiness I enjoy at meeting my friend of many years
in the exalted position which he now holds. Besides being my personal
friend, he was also an honored associate in representing the good people
of this community, and in advancing a great cause, which he championed
with memorable eloquence and fidelity. Such are no common ties. Permit
me to say that this splendid welcome, now offered by the municipal
authorities of Boston, is only a natural expression of the sentiments
which must prevail in this community. Here his labors and triumphs
began. Here, in your early applause and approving voices, he first
tasted of that honor which is now his in such ample measure. He is one
of us, who, going forth into a strange country, has come back with its
highest trusts and dignities. Once the representative of a single
Congressional district, he now represents the most populous nation of
the globe. Once the representative of little more than a third of
Boston, he is now the representative of more than a third part of the
human race. The population of the globe is estimated at twelve hundred
millions; that of China at more than four hundred millions, and
sometimes even at five hundred millions.

If, in this position, there be much to excite wonder, there is still
more for gratitude in the unparalleled opportunity which it affords.
What we all ask is opportunity. Here is opportunity on a surpassing
scale--to be employed, I am sure, so as to advance the best interests of
the Human Family; and, if these are advanced, no nation can suffer. Each
is contained in all. With justice and generosity as the reciprocal rule,
and nothing else can be the aim of this great Embassy, there can be no
limits to the immeasur