Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-02-10
tFfom the Springfield Republican }


Nenturing upon former acquaintance, 1
found myself, few evenings since, sitting by
Mr.. Summers bedside, listening again to the
voice of the man who represents to- day the
spirit OF that liberty for which our fathers
fought, more truly, probably, than any other
living The morning papers had that dav
startled their readers with the news of Brooks
sudden death and whether would, or no,
the thought OF a retribilion aud divine ven
geance filled me, as l gazed upon the noble
face and figure, of the still weak and suffer.
ing victim He lay robed in his dressing
gown upon his bed, with shaded lamp on
the table beside him, while a number OF ap-
parently recently read letters, which were
scattered about him, gave evidence that even
IN his feebleness he takes part in the strife
without, and is folio we'd by the cares of pub.
lie life. 1t was his custom, e said, to lie so
every evening, recruiting the strength vast
ed by daily exercise, and rebuilding slowly
his old health. 1t was hard, he said, verv
hard, to one accustomed TO his former active
life, but he was gaining, and felt thankful for
the strength he had.
He is able to walk and ride daily; had pass
ed that day in Cambridge with Prof. Long.
fellow, but still. when evening draws on,
come the weary bed, and the long hours of
seepleSs quiet. And surely, in no wise is
Mr.. Summers greatness more manifest than in
the patience and cheerfulness with which he
endures an inertia so intolerabe to his nature
which is energetic to a degree. Sill, he
snuffs the battle from afar, and longs, as only
so strong nature can long, for the conflict
And stiD, he anticipates resumption of his
active duties at Washington before the close
OF the present session. We all hope, of course,
that this expectation may be realized. but lift
should not be, we can afford to wait, for seat
during the remainder OF his tenn, with Sum.
ner's name on it, is better Cunder Their circum.
stances) than the came seat filled by any 9TH
er man in the commonw ealth.
Iyentured, after a time. to speak to him of
the outrage from whose effects came this sad
weakness, and TO express a wonder that i have
always felt that serious connections did not
follow it. "Oh no?" he said. alt was lit.
tie, in comparison with daily occurrence
The poorest slave is in danger of worse out
RACES every moment of his life p
have felt since 1 first knew him, a love
and reverence for Mr.. Sumner which quite
overcomes me as think of Linn lying there,
SO torgiyng, so gentle, SO compassionate, and
SO true, forgetting himself in the thought Of
the cause he suffers for; laying aside his in
divldual wrongs, in view of the monstrous
wrong from which they sprang removing
ny making SO prominent the wrong against
himself, by placing before me the gigantic
CRIME against mankind and chrstisnity, which
plots our talr fame as nation, and curses the
soil it broods over. With a humility which
none but so geat and good man could feel
and express, Mr.. Sumner ignores himself to
mourn the indignities the bondmen suffer-
With no individual malice-for that he has
never, can never, feel-he will, think, re-
turn 10 Washington strengthened in his on
position to the damning and disgraceful wrong
he combats. Who knows what mighty
thoughts, to find tongue in future speeches,
lie working and revolving, in that noble head
upon the pillow Who can tell what smould
ering fires are burning there, to burst forth
anon, and light the world
sat beside the bed for an hour nearly,
conYerslng with him, and looking at him. An
hour passed with such man is a golden
hour, and one to be remembered if he utters
no word; but he did utter many. With that
beautiful urbanity which is remark able in
him above most men that have met, he con-
yersed with me, as with an equal friend. He
spoke of the future of Kanzas, and said that
1t still seemed to him very doubtful future
and that only the most earnest exertions on
the part of the free states could surely secure
the freedom Of that territory. He was in
favor Of appropriations by the state govern
ment, to be used in support Of free settlers
there, and vigiant watchfulness over their
welfare. He made no mention Of Mr. Brooks
by name, nor spoke of his death, but he direct
ed me where, i'll his wardrobe, should find
the coat he wore when he was beaten.
Never till then had formed an idea of the
horrible butchery of that scene. From the
collar to the skirts, the garment was stiff with
blood, and in places it had soaked through
wadding and lining to the inside. The coat
will be looked upon years hence, with pity
ing reverence for Sumner, the martyr
At length l took leave of him and went
away full of the scene There lay Sumner,
powerful III his weakness, and noble in his
patient suffering, while the doer of this sad
deed was stretched in state in Washington,
and, with woful mockery, they unpacked
from the last California steamer, another cane,
"trom the citizens of Tehama !" and Savage
Of Tennessee made ready his remarks" for
the ceremonies in the House; and so the
drama, ugly in all its aspects, was playing
itself out, much in the fashion of the stage
dramas, where the william" of the piece is
pretty sure to meet at length his just reward.
w