Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-09-12

Charles sumner.
The action of the convention, Wednesday.
places senator Sumner before the people OF
Massachusetts as a candidate for reelection.
T he endorsement which it gave him was posi-
tive. explicit, and decisive. That the conven-
ton fairly represented the republican senti-
ment of the state, no reasonable and truthful
man doubts. That Mr.. Sumner is equally the
representative of its views of public policy,
the state has many times given perfect evil
dence. If, at this time, when his term of SER
vice is about to expire, and when all who
wish to reverse the present political status of
the commonwealth are conspiring for his
overthrow, the convention had failed to ex-
press its appreciation of his public career, it
would have been guilty of an obvious dere-
LECTION of duty, and lost an opportunity of
doing an act of justice to faithful and trusted
public servant. 1t is not difficult to under
stand, and fortunately it does not excite
alarm, that small number who nominally
act with the republican party in Massachu7
sets are among the more bitter opponents of
its representative men and measures. Mr..
Sumner has for many years been the conspic-
uous mark for their hostility. They opposed
his election originally, when it required Sc
verer contest than will ever be required again
for such result They acquicsced in his
second election reluctantly, after he fell I'M
der the bludgeon OF an assassin who only an
ticipated his fellow traitors in the time for
striking his blow. They attempted, by their
relations with the dominant political senti-
ment of the commonwealth, to sow the seeds
Of dsaffection and distrust when Mr.. Sumner
was helpless and defenceless in Europe, re-
covering from that terrible assault. They are
the same who are now engaged in the effort
to break his influence and power to the graft
cation of their old-time political oppo-
nents, and of traitors all over the land.
This element of Brooksism here at home has
not been remarkably blest. Whenever it has
been bold enough to cross his path, Mr.. Sum-
ner has gloriously triumphed over it by his con-
sistency, his self-respect, and his exalted char
acter. By the same sign he has won to him the
sincere and enthusiastic attachment, not of
few personal acquaintances only, who share
his intimacy and friendship, but of a large,
thoughtful and earnest people, whose convic-
tons it is not always safe and wise to with
stand. They will not so far forget themselves
as to apologize for their friendship, or to vim
dictate the purity of their patriotism. 1t is
enough for them to know that, during his en-
inently successful public career-thus far linn
tied to his two terms in the United States SEN
ate Mr.. Sumner has given not vote, has
spoken not a word, upon questions pertaining
to the great struggle, which events have not
been swift to justify and approve. His rec
ord on these questions is the record of a
statesman, luminous to all the world, manly,
logical, consistent under all circumstances,
appreciated and admired by observing and
liberal men in every civilized nation on the
globe. So far, therefore, as the action of the
republican convention was personal to Mr..
Sumner, it is entitled to respect. 1t was rem
dered necessary no less by decent sense of
gratitude for the services he has rendered to
the country than by the peculiar circumstan-
ty had placed him and Massachusetts togeth-
er. For reasons higher than any of political
convenience or expediency, it had become
patriotic duty for those who approve the
principles to which his life has been
devoted, and believe the public policy with
which his name is identified to be clearly
and only right, to give his principles, his pol
icy, and his example the benefit Of their ex-
press appreciation. They have done it. The
country will understand it. Alarge and pow
crful public sentiment, reaching from the St.
Lawrence beyond the great lakes and rivers,
will thank God and take courage from the ex-
ample which was here set for it.
The State Convention.