New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-02

ners talks with the Duo dAumales secfetHy,
though 1t is certain that In Mr.. Summers mind Gam
beta held more important place than the Orleans
Prince. He saw indeed, or wished to see, leading
men of all parties. The Duo d'Aumale invited him
to Chantilly and himself says Mr.. Laugel. did the
honors of that lovely spot. driving him through the
grounds, and showing him that gallery of the
battles of Condo in which it if Conde were
about TO enter so completely do you breathe there
the air of past times. Familiar with French
history. Sumner could enjoy the charm OF 30
many memories already enigmas for many q
Frenchman. His feeling for antiquity led MN
into tho boolselers shops in search of old missals
Grolier bindings, books worn by age, and prints.
scarcely know what Mr.. Laugel means by saying
that Mr.. Sumner was neither collector nor biblio-
phile. If to love and understand and buy, in pro-
portion to his means, very largely make collector,
then Mr.. Sumner was one both OF books and en-
cravings. Few Americans know so much about
either he did, or possessed co many rarltles Ills
happiest hours were spent with them, except per-
haps those he spent in turning over the treasures
which the shops and libraries and galleries of Paris
offered to him.
He had to quit all that and go back to Washing
ton, "no longer" SAYS Mr.. Laugel, followed by
popular acclamatioDs, but as a defeated man. with
out zeal, without hope, almost without an object"
The latter is anything but accurate. Mr.. Sumner
went back because he had an object, because ono
irresistible duty drew him. because one last act re-
manned for him to achieve. All of us urged him to
stay-all his friends in Europe. To all he turned
a deaf ear grateful as he was for their soicitudo
about him. 1t was useless to tell him he was not
able to go back and reGnter the Senate and resume
his task. He knew it better than we did
The feeling of his tate was strong
upon bin before he said good-by to England.
cold November morning when for the last time l
pressed my entreaty upon him to change his mind
and stay he answered: "You are all very kind. but
must go. Unjust make last effort for my Civil
Rights bill. But for that would stay" To that
he deliberately sacrificed himself. AS have had,
with sincere regret to crtcise some of Mr.. Laughs
statements, / am glad to close with hearty thanks
TO him for the noble passage in which he concludes
his articles
With Sumner disappeared OF the representatives
OF that vigorous generation Of statesmen who lifted
America the hight OF power where the world sees her
to-day and who were the leaders more than the SER
wants OF democracy. Profoundly respecting the WORK
OF their fathers they nevertheless amended 1t by obt
Grating all OF institution which threatened TO
corrupt it. Summer honored the people and desPlsed
popularity; he was an orator, not tribune; never
speaking without aim always for cause, not Tor
tue delight OF applause. Though reformer' DIS
spirit had nothing chImerca about it, and there was
much more OF Grotus, MontesQuieu, and Blackstone In
him than of Rousseau or tho Socialists In claiming
liberty for the blacks 1t their right to the family
and to property on which he insisted lie
had no instructive horror Tor arstoeracies' or
for old dynases; he detested only tyranny
and he knew that tyranny can put on the most dissim
lar masks The most striking trait In his character WAS
a sincere instructive, complete respect for the under
standing; his dearest friends poets, historians.
hod ma min coufin
reading the great writer's OF every country His col
lected speeches. be published will ill more than
ten volumes and you may find In them, often IN the
midst driest discussions frequent gmpses OF the
happy world of the At times singular grace was
mingled with his eloquence. usually little heavy, with
his crushing logic and his too exuberant knowledge
In a country at coveOus md prodigal. swollen
with strength and riches Sumner renamed as type OF
the ancient time simple IN manners dlsinteresed OF
refined and delicate tastes living on the banks OF the
stream which bore along vulgar ambitions and greeds
his eyes steadfastly fixed something noble and great
IL may be said OF him, in fne that he knew how to
serve a. the same time, which is not always easy his
country and humanity; that he defended all his life
long the interests OF the United States and those OF an
onpressed race and succeeded in combining the two
causes which were dearest to him, Emancipation and
the Union.
With every sentiment of this 10 may not be pos
sible for us Americans to agree but as whole 1t is
such judgment as Mr.. Summers best friends may
be glad to have had pronounced in European re-
view reaching all the best minds of many countries
Desiring to give what was newest in Mr. Laugels
article l have done scant justice to much that Is
best in il to the flow of its narrative It's lucid ac-
count of Mr. Summers career, its often subtle estl-
mate of men and things American. To its attractive
and scholarly style have of course done none at
all but if foreigner may have an opinion on sucn
q point, | should say that Mr.. Laughs style was
one of the principal charms of a most accomplished
writer. w. W. o.
DILL III ~ INTERECTN