The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-12
GENERAL SURPRISE AND SORROW.
The President and Legislators
In Mourning.
Conscious and Recognizing Friends
to the Last.
LAST ACTS AND WORDS.
NY Book, Ny Book; / Shouldn't Regard This
Had | Finished My Book"
WASHINGTON, March II, 1874.

WASHINGTON, March II, 1874.
Triumph, then death. So in lew words might
be written the grand epitome OF the life and his
tory OF Charles Sumner, who died to-day, In the
sxty!ourtn year OF his age, at his Senatorial resi-
dcnce. corner OF Vermont avenue and street.
Yesterday Mr.. Sumner appeared for the last time
In the Senate. There was nothing outwardly to
Indicate the mutterings OF that terrible complaint,
angina pcctoris which has upon several occasions
in the last few years threatened the life OF the
great Senator. Those who saw him during his de.
livery OF the speech against the international
feature OF the Centennial Exhibition, last Friday,
would not have recognized any outward change IN
the calm appearance oSthc orator and statesman
yesterday; but those who know him best, and to
whom any allusion to his allment was always con-
sidercd the highest mark OF his friendship, say that
not only yesterday, but for several days past, the
old complaint had threatened o renewal in all Its
intensity.
MS LAST ATTENDANCE IN THE SENATE.
Notwithstanding the premonitlons OF Sunday
and Monday Mr.. Sumner ventured to the Capitol,
that he might be present with his colleague. Mr..
Boutwell, presented the resolution relative to the
resentment OF the resolutions passed by the
Massachusetts, Legislature two years ago concern
ing Mr. summers proposition to strike the names
OF battles from our nags Mr.. summers seat is on
the outer circle, to the lett OF the Vice President,
and when Mr.. Boutwell, arose and had announced
his purpose every eve was turned on Mr.. Sumner,
VITO, apparently unconcerned, busted himself in
writing letter. Inc task OF his colleague Occu.
pied but a few minutes, and was gracefully per-
formed. Once during the reading Mr. sumner
raised his massive head, merely glancing at the
speaker and about the chamber in an indifferent
sort OF way, but those who conversed with him
m d.afelv after ncfiou Mr.
noticed hectic nush on his cheeks and some thing
ia hrs manner indicating that his Will was not
ter OF the nerve force. He became pale and flushed
~ turus and restless in his manner. sought quiet
IN retirement from the chamber UNTIL later in the
afternoon. he returned TO his residence still feeling
the effect OF the excitement brought aoout by
what must have been an occasion OF sudden exul.
talon 10 him.
PRESIDENT GRANT NoTIFIED.
The news OF MIR. Summers death was made
known TO the President q lew minutes after three
O'Clock. He was IN the East Room when the mes
senser arrived and the object OF his visit was made
known The announcement was simply-"Mr.
President, Senator sumner is dead" The words
fell ike thunder on the Presidents ear.
After moments reflection he said, in tone Of
the teudcrest sympathy, "Is IT. possiblef" and
bowed his head, as he walked slowly across the
room. The President had heard this morning OF
Mr.. Summers illness, the summoning of the best
medical advisers and the great socitude on the
part OF his friends for his recovery, but he had not
an idea that death was bcckoning him away until
the sad news was made known TO him.
CLOSING OF THE EXECUTIVE MANSION.
When General Babcock returned the President
gave direction TO close the Executive Mansion to-
morrow to everybody-a mark Of respect TO the
memory OF Mr.. sumner that had not been deter
mined even though 1t was the day on which the
funeral OF ex-Presidcnt Fillmore is TO take place.
FIRST CAUSE OF HIS AILNENT.
Charles sumner never recovered IRON the effects
OF the assault made on him IN 1856 by Preston 5.
Brooks, a Representative from South Carolina
who died here oil aryngitis on January %, 1857.
About two years since Mr.. sumner began TO suffer
from intense pains In the heart, caused by a
paralysis OF the cardiac plexus OF the nerves con-
nected with tie spinal cord, the heart having no
longer power to propel the blood to the surface
Last summer he thought that ne was relieved
under the treatment OF DR.. Brown Sequard but
alter his hurried visit TO New York this
winter, 10 speak at the New England
society's dinner the anginis pectorts. or
pam OF the heart, returned. Cessation from
night study and great again brought
rellel, but last week Mr.. Sumner was greatly ex-
cited by the debates on the Centennial celebration
In open session, and on the Confirmation oi SIM
mons as Collector for the port OF Boston secret
session. Forgetting his condition, he spoke at
length several times aud with great animation.
He did not, however, experience any i'll effects
from this over-cxcrtion until sunday night. lie
had dned with his friend Mr.. Hooper, who had
invited him. senator Anthony and Major Poore
to meet Mr.. J. u. Smith, who had come as a mes
senger from the Governor OF Massachusetts to
bring the resolution resembling the censure rcsolu-
mas las This nf ha
Just action OF his state was extremely grateful
10 Mr.. sumner, who was In excellent spirits.
THE ATTACKS on SUNDAY AND MONDAY.
Un his return home, however, he experienced
the familiar pains, and took to assuagc them. an
snodyne which DIR. Brown, Sequard had prescribed
for him. 1t had no effect, and 1t was not until
alter he had heard the clock strike four in the
morning that he could obtain any sleep. lie. how
ever, went 10 the senate on Monday. aud carefully
concealed the return OF his pain from his friends
on Monday night the pain returned, and he sent
for his attending physician, Dr. Joseph Tabor
Johnson, Il brother OF his private secretary for
many years, A. d. johnson, now Chief Clerk OF the
Light House Board. lie asked for relief by sub
cutaneous Injections OF morphine, when were
given him, and he soon sunk into a quiet slumber.
ANNOYED ny INSULTING LETTERS.
on Tuesday morning he went to the Senate
where he was gratincd by hearing his colleague,
Senator Boutwell,. present the Massachusetts re-
sending resolution, as above stated. lie converscd
with senator sargent about their opposition to
the Centennial exposition, regrcttinG that some
Phlaoclphians had sent him anonymous letters on
The subject. He also talked with senator Ferry OF
Connecticut, whose spinal cord In affected and
who is forced 10 seek rcllcl by taking morphine.
While IN the Senate he experienced some twinpes
J pain, and told senator scnurz that he might not
De able to speak on the finance question as he had
Intended dong
RECENT CONVERSATIONS Win SENATOR SEIZURE
The nrst alarming sign that Mr.. schurz noticca
vas yesterday when he FIRST came TO his seat in
the senate. Mr. sumner came 10 sit dosn near
him and told him that he had intended to make a
speech In his support on the nnapee