Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1856-12-16
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IWGSO8y HOUuuvk. U ~. tf''O'
TIE ssrc., Ope-.... OF the N.rsh
We are not natural historians enough 10 say
what the precise geographical limits If the opos-
sum may be. but believe that the books oouhne
him 10 States south of Pennsylvania. BE that
a. it may. we are well persuaded that the gran
lite surface of Massachusetts could not, even with
the most scientific tllage. produce that luscious
fruit, the persimmon, and without the persmmon
the opossum is impossible. But there are pot-
ical and moral fauna, wherein the beasts aud
reptiles If the natural world are typifed without
regard to latitude longitude. For example,
there is a tiger in Plymouth Church, brooklyn,
and eobras far more venomous than those Of the
torrd zone. scattered. to the extent certainly Of
FIVE thousand, all over New England. Ohio re-
joices in many strange varieties of asps. cocka.
trices. and demen,ed human vermin. while Chi
cago boasts of nondescripts, all Niger except the
skin.
In this way, we are prepared To account TOT
the appearance and existence in Massachusetts,
Of Senator Sumner--,he greatest. by far OF all
opossums tina, have ever lived or been knocked
on the head. Sumner differs from his Southern
brethren in this ony he feeds upon fanaiiclsm
they feed upon persimmons. And, if we are TO
Judge Of diet by its effeciswe mast give the palm
not to persmmons, but to fana,icsm. For what
opossum ever approached Sumner either in the
grandeur or the duration Of his 'possumngf
None, surely. Your ordinary opossun only plays
'possum SO long as the enemy s within reach.
bat the great opossum of the North has kept up
his game tor nearly year and at distance of
G.. "A a. o,,1, tlos
and the gutta percha cane. This out possums
all the 'possums.
Nor does Sumner appear inclined 10 give over
his foolery. The latest bulletin in the Tribune
represents him as being still in feeble and crit
icsl condition. He is able to ride ON horseback
four hours day, but is compelled to lie downnot
to sleep but TO rest, several hours. During an
hour or two Of the forenoon he sits for his por
trait"
The correspondent of the Tribune goes on to
say that it is Mr. Summers intention. contrary 10
the advice of his physicians to appear in his seat
about the first Of January; at which time he will
be able to 60 through with the ordinary duties Of
a Senator, such as voting, making speeches upon
ordinary and Indifferent topics, but if he attempts
"great speech on Sidrry" there is danger of
a relapse. recovery from which would DO very
uncertain.
This is NIL fudge aud everybody knows it
We trust, however, II may be trde that Sumner
lie, and will always remain, unfit to make "a great
speech on slavery" The country has had enough
of his "phillpics."
Massachusetts is one Of the oldest. tho veal
thest, most populous, most intelligent States Of
the Union. Her name is inseperaby connected
with the great name of Webster and the men TO
whom her power and hei interests are delegated,
should possess at least the manlincss of the
Statesman of Marshfeld. They should repre-
sent the dignity and not the fnua,icism of the
Bay Suite. They should not be- wholly unwor-
thy the towering fame of their great predecessor.
But the piiifu sneaking, whining lriokory of
Sumner Is beyond all precedent and beyond all
rebuke, When see such u man sustained by
such State, disgust gives place to pnin and np
prehension. What utter hypocrisy, what loath
some incauness may not look forward to !
What visions of shame not npprehend The
Senate chamber a pit Of towards, the Hall Of Rep
resentutiyes bear gaiden Of mouthing spoils-
men The Republic mookery in the eyes of
the nations, Looking on this picture and then
on that, ON Webster first and next upon the great
opossum of the North we fain must exclaim with
Hamlet:
1" To what base uses may return, Horaiio
Why may not Imagination trace the noble lus,
of Alexander till he find it stopping buugholc :"
lmperous Caesar, dead and turned to clay,
Might stop hole to keep the wind away.
q, that the earth, which kept the world in awe
Should patch wall to expel the winters flaw