The Portland daily press., 1873-03-13
Charles Sumner.

One OF the most interesting subjects that
now occupy the attention of the Massachu-
sets Legislature, is aproposition to reconsid-
er the action of the same body at its special
session last fall in passing resolutions censur-
ing Senator Sumner for introducing bill in
the national Senate to Grace from the Army
Register and from the colors of the different
, regiments, all reference to the battles of the
late civil war. This is a matter that chiefly
concerns the people of Massachusetts,, but
since it has relation to subject of general
: interest, ana touches very nearly the honor
of one of the most eminent of the public
o men who have figured in the history OF the
e United States during the last quarter OF
century, it may not be impertinent for cltl-
zens of other States to contribute to the us
cussion of the questions involved.
q Now that all the animositles ana hear'-
burn;nos of tbe last Presidential canvass have
entirely disappeared, there is no disputing
the fact that there is left strong popular
feeling of sympathy and respect for Mr.. Sum,
ner. 1t will be long before his atrocious at
tack ON President Grant is forgotten. That
was the wickedest act in Mr.. Summers life.
But let it not be forgotten that anger, and
not ambition, mean jealousy or unprincipled
selfseeking prompted him. He did not join
the Republican apostates, like Schurz, Brown,
Pike, Banks, Fitzpatrick and most of the 9th
er Liberals, for the sake of the expected
spoils. He was thoroughly enraged, and an
ger, though generally to be reprobated, is not
one of those passions which denote an gnoble
nature and a corrupt heart, "Touch me
with noble anger" is King Lear's not UNI
worthy prayer. The popular heart not being
permanently alienated from the grand old
anti-slavery leader by his conduct last sum-
mer, it would be strange indeed if his smaller
offence of introducing the obnoxious bill
should have that effect. Most of us feel sure
that he is wrong, but none Of us seriously
believe that any grave moral obliquity is in
volved in the act. The theory in conformity
with which he acted is one which he held as
tenaciously as he does now, when his position
as one of the most honored and trusted Re
publican leaders was undisputed. And to-
day there are thousands of Republicans whose
orthodoxy is unquestioned that share with
him his unpopular and no doubt erroneous
opinions about oblterating, as far as possible,
all marks of the late civil strife.
How cruel then, to leave pure, patriotic
and most able friend of progress and human
ity, whose career throughout has been an
honor to the Republic, who has kept his
fame untarnist ed when so many of his con-
temporaries have taken leave of public life in
merited obliquy-how cruel to leave such
man to go down to the grave smarting under
the censures of the people whom he has serv-
ed SO long and well. 1t would be well for
those who are about to vote on the question
Of -expunging the resolution of censure, to
place themselves SO far as possible in the posi-
ton of those who will judge of their actions
twenty-five years hence. rs it not certain
that the next generation, on whose minds the
passions and prejudices of the rebellion will
have but slight hold, will sympathize with
Sumner? Will they not absolutely condemn
those, who in a moment of passion forgot
the good deeds of a life time, and took advan-
tage of slight ipdiscretion to punish capt.
tally? For it must be remembered that reso-
mtlons OF censure are not now the triiing
expressions of dissatisfaction that they were
when the more common method of reproof
was cutting off the head. The censure of
the Massachusetts Legislature is as severe a
punishment to the sick old man who has
passed his life in the service of the State, as
loss of caste would be to to Brahmin. 1t is
more like the punishment of Sir Thomas
More, Raleigh, Essex, Ney, Murat and Maxi
MILAN, than like anything milder. For to a
man of Senator Summers lofty pride the loss
of his head is a misfortune of less magnitude
than its dishonor.