The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-04-29

Mr.. Summers habits of industry. though
the sands of his fourth term as a senator
were fast running out, clung to him to the
very last, and In no three months of his
life were they much better displayed, nor
rest and pastime more habitually scorned,
than in those which brought his labors to
an end.
Most men have some speciality wherein
they chiefly excel, and doubtless the great
subject of the natural rights of man most
deeply excited the enthusiasm of Charles
sumner but he brought valuable contri-
buttons into the discussion of q wide field
of topics, political and historical and up.
on international law, 1t may not be wrong
to say. he was possibly more profoundly
learned than upon the subject which most
contributed to build up and support his
reputation. Few men have done more
work, and fewer still have done it so well.
While chairman of the committee on
| foreign relations, in all critical emergencies
he was vigilant and powerful friend of
peace and as such merits the countrys
grateful remembrance. The principle en-
bodied in our late treaty with Great Brit
ain, of the arbitration of international diff
tcrcnccs, he eagerly accepted as the herald
OF peace TO future generations, in harmony
with his earliest idea of the ''truc grandeur
OF nations and as hopeful sign OF human
progress.
Public men during life very often receive
the poorest kind of thanks for their noblest
efforts. The world at large is not alu avs
swift TO comprehend associates look on
with torpid Indifference; and enemies are
made glad by every new field exposed to
assault. But when the grave closes the
scene, praise Of the dead harms no rival,
and the final verdict of history proclaims
only truth, generously perhaps, but free
from detlaction and all unchartableness
and then public men who have deserved
well of their country obtain that full meas
ure OF recognition aud reverence which at
last confers merit2d rank in the roll of the
worthiest of mankind.
The present age, however, always suf-
tcrs at all points by contrast with the past.
because none but the great among the un-
numbered hosts turned to dust-the few
screened and idolizcd products of picked
centures-havc been preserved, while all
OF the present age are visible and so near
that no deformities can be hidden There
is no sun, that has not long ceased to
shine, whose spots remain unrevealed.
Our deceased associate, unsheltered by
wealth, by family or by party, was expos
ed first and last to much adverse criticism.
from which. in spite of much real admira-
ton, impartality will not now wholly re
lease him. His persistency in pushing his
own measures to the front, though to their
present hurt or to the burt of others, often
provoked rebuke. His enemies he easily
torgave, but could not so easily bury the
slender personal affronts received in wordy
encounters from his peers. His self-conf
dcncc, admirable enough when he was
right, was no less unniistakable and glitter
ing when he happened to be wrong. To
his conclusions, sincerely reached, he gave
regal prctentions and for them accepted
nothing less than unconditional submission.
l Unconscious of personal offense, he inner
iously and with the stride of Colossus.
tramped down whatever arguments stood
in his way, not knowing who was bruised.
ana yet was sometimes so sensitive that if
his own arguments were touched by the
gentlest zephyrs of personal retort he felt
they were visited too roughly.
Yet these occasional self assertions bv no
means held general sway, and never ut his
own house and table, where the cordial
greeting and genial SMILE with converse
ton embroidered with both wisdom
and mirih, exhibited the full and varied
attractions Of his head and heart.
Finally, deducting whatever truth may
demand--a stern deduction the deceased
never omitted-thc brightness of his fame
will not serve TO perpetuate the memory of
any stain upon the purity of his private or
public character; and there will still re-
main the imperishable records of a memo
rab!e career-something that the highest
ambition aims to grasp, and that heroes die
to obtain-or much of the real elements of
greatness and all the glory of historical
name.
II live III the hope of a better world,
world with little less friction" are words
have seen attributed to the departed Sen
ator. Has he not, with no duty neglected.
reached that 'better world 2" And who of
US docs not sometimes pray for "a world
with little less friction ?"