@ 6-14-26 1! ~" Oratory Wahr PREFACE. WENDELL PHILLIPS was a citizen of the twentieth century sent as a sample to us of the nineteenth. There is not in biography another character more profoundly interesting and instructive. Whether judged by the length, variety, influence, or genius of his life, this man was unique. Fredrika Bremer said long ago: 'The anti-slavery struggle will be the romance of American history." The Swedish novelist foretold that our future Sir Walter Scott would find in this "debatable ground" the richest materials for his "Sixty Years Hence." But where was there in the "irrepressible conflict" a more heroic figure than Mr. Phillips? Nor was his an isolated advocacy. He identified himself as inseparably with every other reform of the age. There was no exception. He stood, "The Admirable Crichton" of progress. Would any one understand this century? Would he equip himself for usefulness? Would he catch fire from contact with one of the purest, ablest, most inspiring of men? Let him study and emulate the career of Wendell Phillips. Biography has been defined as the story of a single soul. But the narrative becomes complex, since in its passage a single soul touches many other souls. |