The True Grandeur of Nations: an Oration delivered before the Authorities of the City of Boston, July 4, 1845 by Sumner, Charles - 1845

Boston: William D. Ticknor & Co., 1845. First edition. Stitched paper wrappers. A very good copy with wear to spine ends, soiling on wrappers, owner's name and wear to fore edge on front wrapper, contents clean.. 104 pp. 8vo. One of the important American speeches, much reprinted in the years after its publication. "Long concerned by the horrors of war, [Sumner] used the occasion to attack the militarism and aggressiveness of his own country, then on the verge of conflict with Mexico and Great Britain. The address, 'The True Grandeur of Nations,' arraigned the assembled military and political establishment and concluded that war was 'utterly and unreconcilably inconsistent with True Greatness.' Even worse was false patriotism that proclaimed 'our country, be she right or wrong,' an attitude the government had used to transform its people into 'the provokers of war.' The speech brought intense reaction from both opponents and supporters and catapulted the young orator into prominence," (ANB) Sabin 93683. LCP Afro-Americana 10051. Not in Amer. Imprints.