Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1874-03-19

compromise measures, Mr.. Sumner
made an elaborate speech attacking
the whole institution of slavery. In
1855, upon the proposition TO abrogaie
the Missouri compromise line 5000
he AMI Mr. Chase were conspicuous
in the debates. The bill, however,
passed, and then begun the war in
kansas,-the struggle between the
Free State men a d the border ruff ans
for it's possession. In 1856, he deliv
cred his great speech. 1.-THE Crime
Against Kansas taking two days in
lts lie livery. The speech was deliver
ed May 10 and 90, and on May %,
while sitting at his desk in the Senate
Chamber, engaged in writing, he was
approached by Preston S. Brooks, a
representative in Congress from South
Carolina, who proceeded TO beat him
over the head and shoulders with a
heavy gutta percha cane. Mr.. Sumner
was so seated shat he could not rise,
and in few minutes, fell insprsible to
the floor, the specimen Of Southern
chivalry continuing the beating after
bis victim was helpless on the floor,
and therefor was fined $500 From
the injury thus received Mr. Summer
never fully recovered. He was unab e
to resume his seat at that or the sue
cee'ing session but his term expir
| ing in March, 1857, the Legislature of
Massachusetts, by nearly unanimous
vote, reelected him lie went to
Europe in March, 1857. and TIE sue
| ceedIng winter occupied his seat IN
the Senate for brief time. In May,
1885,, he again went to Europe, and
placed himself under medical treat.
ment in Paris, and remained there
until the close OF 1859. His health
was then seeming y restored. In the
Session of 1s59-60 he made his cele
bra.cd speech entitled the "Barbali ism
of Slavery, regarded the greatest eff
fort Of his life. This speech, more
than any other document of the period
embodied the conscience, the anger,
and the Indignation of the North 1t
had an immense circulation in the
campaign literature of the year 1850,
and contributed powerfully to the
election of Lincoln and Hamlin. -
During the session of 1860 and '6l,
MIR. Sumner opposed the attempt To
propltiate the disunionists by con
cessions which would sacnfic the
rights of the oppressed, or favor the
interests of slavery. In March, 1861,
he was appointed Chairman OF The
Committee on Foreign Relations, and
abou; the end Of 1862, he was again
elected a S,pator for six years ending
March 4, 1SU9. He has retained that
position % years.
During the war Mr.. Sumner was g
U"nSIatcnG supporter ~ All measures
looking 10 the emancipation OF the
slaves. In 1862 he had the satisfac-
ton of securing the repeal of the Fu-
gltlve Slave law. After the Rebellion
had closed, he took an active part in
maturing the reconstruction measures,
and from the first to Il g last, even 10
the last hour of his official life, he SOFT
To incorporate in the national Jaw a
mandatory recognition OF the social az
We as the legal equality OF the color
ed race He was largely instrrmen-
tai in securing the l4th and 18Th
amendments, giving the negro lollti-
cal equality with the whites, and MS
last Efforts were by his civil rights
bill to secure absolute equality for the
two races.
L. The early stages of the war the
SEIZURE Of the Cot derate Cnmmis-
-iupers 10 the European powers.
Nj e.srs. Mason and S IdeIl, on board
the British steamer Trent, provoked
much contention NJ Sumner was
almost The OF / Senator who tspnue-
ed the cause Of Great Bri ain in her
demand for the return of the CAY
tvs He took the ground that Their
seizure Was unjns,ifiabie on the priv
ciples of international law, which
he United States had always mali :
t.ined. HIS speech had much to do
~ reconoii,ng the people TO pre-
ceeding that was peculiarly distaste-
| ful TO them Subst quently. he WAS
| active in starring and supporting
The rebel cruisers, and one OF his
-pe eches on this subject was by far
he most clear and exhaustive recit-
al, Of our case ever made, Mr. Sum-
oer retained The craftsmanship of the
mmittee on Foreign relations till
| 1870, when be was retired TO secure
harmony between this committee and
the State Department.
Some two years ago, Mr. Sumner
proposed in the Senate u joint resi- =
ution directing the omission from
the future army registers of the
names OF battles in the late Civil
War IN which the severil regiments
OF the regu ar army had participated
This resolution provoked much in
dignation, and the Massachusetts
l. 'gislature passed series of resolu-
tions censurirg Mr.. Sumner for bis
conduct. The Legislature, ct its
present session, out of regard for the
Senator's other services, rescinded
the resolutions Of censure and these
resembling resolutions were present
ed 10 Congress, the last day Mr.
Sumner sat n the Senate.
The later acts of NJ. Summers ca
reer such a. his desperate opposition
t San Domingo annexation; hir de
uocia'ion of President Grant. anC
declaration for NJ Greeley for Pres
ldent, are 100 fresh in the recollec
ton OF our readers To- need recount
ing here. NJ. Sumner considered
HIM, If u Republican TO the last. anC
10 * special pride 10 thinning Il
:. represent the Rspul cans CT Mas-s
cbusetts
, IL priva'e life, Charles Sumne
was man of the most scholarly ant
re fined tss'es. His collection o
bo"ks and RI cs was sight, which
those who have enjoyed it Can neve
fnrvat llr gtuH 10 N