New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-30

every respect satisfy him was because he desired TO
put the future relations OF the two countries upon still
safer and more enduring basis
No statesman took part in the direction OF our
foreign affairs who completely identified himself with
the most advanced humane and progressive principles
Ever Jealous OF the honor OF his country ne sought 10
elevate that honor by policy serupuonsy Just 70 the
strong and generous TO the weak profound lover or
peace he faithfully advocated arbitration as substitute
Tue barbarities OF he constantly abored 10
mitigate In the hottest days of civil conflict he
tested against the issue OF letters OF marque anu re-
prsali he never lost an opportunity TO condemn pr
watering barbarous practice, and he even went 50
far as to designate the system OF prize a. lneoh
sistent with our enlightened civilization. In some
respects, his principles advance OF our time;
but surely the day will come when this Republic.
marching in the front Of progress will adopt them as her
own, and remember their champion with PRIDE
THE LAST LABoRs OF HIS LIFE.
l now approach the last period OF his life, which
brought him ana bitter struggles. The work OF
reconstruction completed he felt that three objects still
demanded efforts. One that the coored race
should be protected by national legislation against de-
grading discrimination in the enjoyment or facilities OF
education travel and pleasure such as stand under the
control OF law; and this object ne embodied IN MS CIVIL
Rights bill OF which he the mover and especial
champion. The second was. that generous recOneia-
ton should wipe OUT lingering animostes OF past con-
lcts, reunte in bonds OF brotherhood all those
who had been divided. And the third was, that the
Government should be restored 70 the purity and hgh
tone OF its earliest days aud that from ts new orth tue
Republic should issue with new uster OF moral great
ness, TO lead Its children 10 hgher perfection Oh man
mood, and 20 be shining example and 0eaconhght "
all the nations OF the earth.
This accomplished, hetoften SAID 10 ms trends, he
would be content lie down and die but death over
took him before he thus content and before death
he destined 10 taste more or the Derhess OF
life. His Civil Rights bill he pressed with unnagging
perseverance, against an opposition which stood upon
the ground tnat the objects his measure contemplated
belonged under the Constitution 70 the Jurisdiction OF
the states that the people armed Win the Dao pos
sessed the 10 provide for their own
security and that the progressive development OF public
sentiment would afford to them greater protection than
could he gwen by national Legislation OF quesuohaoe
cOnstitutlonaty.
The pursuit OF the other objects brought upon him
experiences Of painful nature nave 20 speak OF nls
Disagreement VITA the administration OF President
from my desire than 10 reopen, a solemn occasion
Ike this, those bitter conflicts winch are still
living man in the name of the dead We're it my pur-
pose TO attack. should do 80 in my own name and
But have duty perform II Is TO set i0rth IN the
light OF truth the motives OF the dead before the living
knew Charles summers motives Well. We stood TO-
gether shoulder 10 shoulder in many hard contest We
were friends and passed those conhdences
truly say mat knew his motives Wen.
The civil war mad greatly changed the country ana
left problems behind 1t, requiring again that
building, organizing constructive knd OF staesnanship
which / described as presiding the Republic in
It's earlier history. For "A solution OF many OF those
problems Mr.. Summers mind was little lifted, ana ne
naturally turned 10 those which appealed moral
nature No great civil has ever passed over any
widespread and dangerous decentralization and
corruption, not only in the Government, but
among the people In such times the sOrdid Instincts or
human natire develop themselves to reckless
under the or patriotism Tie ascendeney OF
political party IN republic mas ever been long main
tanned without tempting many of ITS members 70 ayail
themselves for their selfish advantage OF the opportnn
ties OF power and party protection, ana without attract
ing horde OF camp followers processing principle but
meaning spoil Ii always been anu the American
Republic mas not escaped the experience.
Neither Mr. Sumner nor many others could in our cir
cumsfanees close their eyes 20 this He recognized
the danger early and already, IN 1864 ne introduced IN
lie senate a nil for the reform Of he Civil Service,
crude IN It's detail but emboiying correct principles
Thus he be said 10 have been the earliest pioneer
Of the Civil Service Reform movement
Tue evil grew under President Jonnsons admlnistra-
ton, and 10 has been cropping Out. not only
drawn 10 light by the efforts OF the opposition. put vol
mt
party itself There in II many men who confessed
10 themselves the urgent necessity OF meeting the grow"
Mr.. sumner could not he silent He cherished in his
MIND ngh ideal OF what this Republic ana lts GOVERN
ment should De-A government composed OF the pest
and wlsest OF the land; animated by none Out t1e
highest aud most patriotic ASPIRATIONS yielding 10 no
selfish mpuse noble in ts tone aud character setting
face seruly AGAINST all wrong and injustice present
its whole being 10 the American people shining
W % na ne f e 5hsrs T he Whole dignity Of the
Republic Aud when he saw anything that lowereu me
dignity OF the Republic AMI the character OF It's govern
ment, he felt 1t az he would nave ielt pSIsonaa Of
fense He criticised II. he denounced ~ ne Egnou,
strated against IT, for he could not do oherwlse ne a
So frequently and without hesitation and reserve When
Mr. Lincoln was President He continued 20 do 10 ever
himself heard IL was his he felt IL To be MS
right citizen he esteemed it his duty a. senator
THE RUPTURE WITH THE ADMINISTRATIONS
That and no other was the motive which mpeled him
The rupture with the Administration was brought on by
his opposition to the santo Domingo Treaty. In the
reasons upon which that opposition based know
that personal feeling had share. They were patriotic
reasons publicly and candldy expressed and II seems
they appreciated ny large portion OF the american
people II s said that he provoked the resentment
of the President by first promising 20 support that treaty
and then opposing y, thus rendering himself guy Oh A
act OF dupcity lie mas puDicf ueiieu w, Jt' i %
the charge, and stated the facts as they stood ~ ms
memory am willing TO make the fullest allowance Tor
the possibility Of msapprehensoh Oh W1.aS' Due
atIirrn also that living man VINO knew MI. summer
wei will hesitate moment 70 pronounce the chafge OF
dnncitv as founded the most radical OF misapOre
tensions. An act OF duplcy on ms part was Simply
his nature Whatever may have been the de-
fects OF his character, he never Kuo"lug -,
deceived u human being Iherr was IN MIN
moi the fantest shadow OF Discrimination, disguise, or
trckery Not OF his words ever had tue purpose OF
double meaning not one OF his acts hidden al. hls
likes aud diskes. his approval and disapprovaI
IA soon as they were clear to his own conscious
monday. Ills frankness unbounded. his eandor
so entire Nervousness 40 chdiiKe that ne acSed
even the discretion OF ordinary prudence de was
almost incapable OF moderatlnS NE lee.inRs' vi
tonine down his meaning In me exgfeSsioh
When be might have gained point by ndlreetl0u ne
would not have done 80, because ne cOuu not nc we
Of those Who when they ataeS attaek away en-, ~
flank march we're absolutely foreign U Ms aelGs, Oe
they were incompatible with Ms natlre, nave
known many in my lie. Dut never one VINO was
less capable a peridlOus act or an arfI profession
Won viii but American history does not mention the
name OF one with greater justice IL can De said
The same candor aud purity motive. which prompted
aud characterized his opposition 10 tae oanto domingo
scheme prompted and chardcteH2ed tne ateachs UPON
the Administration which followed me charges ne
made, and the arguments with which ne supported
them 1 feel not called upon ennmerate. Whether ana
now far they correct erroneous lust or UNJUST
important or unlmpOrtant. the Judgment OF history
viii determine. May that Judgment De just and
fair TO all Bnt TINS can affirm today,
for | know IT,: Charles Sumner never made
a charge which he did not himself firmly, re-
lgiuusly believe 10 De true Neither dd Ne con.
condemn those he attacked for anything ne did not
6rmiy relglousIy believe TO he wrong. And wne at
lacking those in power for what ne considered wrong
he WAS always ready support them 10 ali he consid-
cred right After ali said OF tins President, ne
would to-day. II he lived copscehIi0usB, eoruiauy,
aid the Presidents recent veto on
an act financial legislation which threatened 10 lnnIct
deem uiury character, well as the true IL
terests u. the American people.
Rut al the time OF which speak al he SAID was so