The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-12
SKETCH OF CHARLES SUMMERS
LIFE.

age He was born in Boston, Mass January g.
1911. He received an education at local school
and became graduate OF Harvard in 1880. Alter
this he continued his studies at Cambridge. and
entered the law school under the tuition OF Judge
story, with whom he continued Intimate
friendship. In the twenty third year OF his age he
became member of the Bar, and obtained at
once a large practice. While practising law he
published summers Reports OF Decisions by
Judge Story" and edited The American .yu-tst,
a quarterly law journal. During the absence OF
Judge Story at Washington he was appoin ted
lecturer to the law students, and at one time had
sole charge OF the school. In 1887 he visited Eu-
rope and renamed three years, studying and
travelling, spending one year in England and the
remainder OF the time in Italy, Germany and
France.
LIFE IN ENGLAND.
His life In England exercised a vast influence
upon his career He into London society at the
close of the reign OF William the Fourth and the be-
ginning of the reign OF Victoria II was brilliant
society; and he circled round Gore House and
Holland House and other famous English saloons,
and became the intimate friend OF distinguished
men. Here he met Disraeli, Lord Brougham,
Count D'Orsay, Napoleon Ill., Duke OF Argyle. Nor
peth and John Bright, with whom and many others
he maintained during MS lie the warmest relations.
The influence OF English society on his mind was
manifested in his intellectual development and
the rpeness OF his scholarship. He was always
friend OF England. and those who criticised ana
censured him spoke OF his English tastes and ways
as though they were reproach to his character.
But he brought back from his European trip
wealth OF information, sincerity OF devotion to
freedom q ripeness Of culture an earnestness in
the pursuit of truth and an independence OF char
acter such as have been rarely given to American
fashion, he was almost fanaticay American in his
opinions; the result being with him, as with many
others who have resided abroad. to make him re-
while she is smaller IN others-smaller in what she
has achieved, perhaps. compared with other
nations, but greater in the future.
BEGINNING LIFE.
On his return to America Mr., Sumner resumed
the practice OF the law, and published an elaborate
law work-"vesey's Reports" He took no active
part in politics. although his tendencies were in
favor OF the wings; but when the annexation OF
Texas was proposed he opposed 1t in a speech
delivered in Faneuil Hall on the Fourth
of July, lS45, entitled 1.-THE True Grandeur
OF Nations" which Golden considered to be the
most noble contribution made by any modern
writer to the cause OF peace. The same year lie
delivered another address on American slavery
nounced was this in antipathy to slavery that
when Van Buren, and Adams were nominated. in
1s4s, as free soilers he withdrew from the whig
party and gave those gentlemen his support. This
was his first appearance in public life, ana the re.
suit was that after Webster resigned from the Sem
ate to accept the office OF Secretary of STATE from
Mr.. Fillmore. in 1850, the Tree soers who had Been
chosen to the Assembly made union with the
democrats and elected Mr.. Sumner to the Senate
of the United States.
SENATOR
When Mr.. Sumner, then in the prime OF manhood
entered into public lie as Senator tor MaSSachu-
sets, he had, as we have shown, been chosen by
combination Of free sellers and democrats at the
In the political history OF Massachusetts,. The
year 1851 was marked era In our politics. Old
time Of the administration OF Madison down to
had resigned his seat as Senator to become Secre-
was lingering on the road to q speedy death. Mr..
Calhoun had just passed away, and 1t is noticeable
that the event which brought MIR. SIMMER into
public life as Senator for Massachusetts made Mr.
Boutwell, Governor OF that state In his letter al
to the Legislature Of the State
the appointment finding him in a private
station ST. ion o, He accepts the ONCE with
ence," as an office that came to him ''unsought and
undesired" 81 accept It," he continues las the
ments soemnly uttered bv her successive Legisa-
lures, OF the genius which inspires her history,
and OF the men. her perpetual pride and ornament.
who would breathe into her that breath OF liberty
which early made her an example to her sister
States. With me the Union is twice blessed-frst,
as the powerful guardian OF the repose and happi
ness OF thirty-one sovereign States casped by the
endearing name OF country; and next, as the
model OF that that a,emoraci1g federation OF States
organized among the nations" In this letter he
expresses himself as resolved to oppose
slavery into the free States" He claimed to fol-
low the example OF the great triumvirate Of Ameri-
son-and in the words Of Washington, he con
Guides Il see my duty, that In standing up for the
liberties of my country, whatever difficulties and
dscouragements lie in my way, dare not shrink
from it; and rely on that Being who has not lett
to us choice Of duties, that, while l shall con-
scentously discharge mime, shall not finally lose
my reward"
"FREE soILER"
Mr. Summers name Is printed in the Senate lists
OF 1851 "free s0iler." There but three who
claimed that distinction, the other two being Sal
mon =. Chase, then Senator from Ohio, and John
his colleagues we note william Ii. Seward, from
New York; Henry Clay, OF Kentucky; Hamilton
Benjamin f. Wade. of ONO. still living in retire,
ment; John Bell, of Tennessee afterwards candi-
date Tor the Presidency and formerly Secretary OF
War under HARRISON who voted with the whig
party. although some OF them were soon
to become conspicuous as republicans. We OBJ
wards Vice President under Perce James A.
Bayard, OF Delaware; stephen A. Douglas. of Hi
nois. afterwards Mr.. summers conspicuous antag-
onlst on the Kansas-Nebraska question; the brill
liant but erratc Pierre Soue, or louisiana; Han
niba Hamlin, afterwards Vice President under
Lincoln, but who had not then LETT the democratic
party; Lewis Cass, OF Michigan, previously candi-
date Tor the Presidcncy X. Barnwell Rhett, OF
south Carolina; samuel Houston, President OF the
Texas Republic and chief among the pioneers
OF tnat time; X. M. I. Hunter, afterwards Secre-
tary OF state OF the southern Coniederacy, under
Jefferson Davis, and James N. Mason, OF Virginia,
who became famous IN his companionship with
Slide. In the House we observe Alexander
II. stephens and Robert Toombs, and poor Dick
Yates. who died the other day ending a sad life;
Humphrey Marshall OF Kentucky; Jonn G. Breck-
enridgc, afterwards Vice President, and Israel
Mashburne, Jr. from Maine, the head OF the present
Washburnc family Preston King, from Ne York;
Thaddeus Stevens, OF PENNSYLVANIA, afterwards
"the great commoner" OF the republicans: Galtisha
a. Grow, from tue same state, who was to DC
Speaker OF the house ten years later, and finally
to become railroad president In Texas. Ten
nesscc sent as head OF Its delegation Andrew
Johnson, who was to become President. In
tins Congress so weak was Mr.. summers
party that we md only three Tree soilers Ia
the senate and five In the House. The
five who claimed this distinction were Charles
Allen and Horace Mann, OF Massachusetts;
Joshua X. GiddiDgs, of OHIO: Amos tuck. OF New
Hampshire, and Charles Dunkee WISCONSIN,.