Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-03-20
REMINISCENCES or Mr. SUM
NER,

In the Washington correspondence of the
New York Times we find the following:
next met Mr.. Sumner in Washington dur
ing his first Senatorial session. Twas then in
the family of DIR. Bailey, the brave and bril-
liant editor of the National Era, and at his
charming house saw much of Mr.. Sumner
and other prominent Free soilers. To our
surprise, somewhat, Mr.. Sumner was re-
markedly we'll received by Southern Senators
of refinement and culture. They respected
his intellect and scholarship, his literary and
social position at home and abroad, and
think there was something they respected
even more in the quiet assurance Of his man
ner, in the honesty of his strong, craggy face,
in the breath of the north wind which his
presence brought into that close old Senate
chamber. 1t took q Southern statesman to
see through q trickster, to spurn a trucker,
to despise the dsugh-face he nodded to any
shape with his skillful fingers, and buffeted
on the cheek at his own arrogant will. Mr..
Sumner met their advances in like gracious
spirit, and for awhile the lamb of non. resist
ance lay down with the lion of chivalry.
often remarked during that winter the new
Senator from Massachusetts, in deep and de-
lightfal converse with the French Spanish
Senator from Louisiana, Pierre Soale. A
tire could scarcely be imagined between two
elegant, accomplished gentlemen, and yet
they were excellent friends. Once during
that winter Mr.. Sumner said to Boston ac-
quaintance encountered in the Capitol, "Al-
low me to Introduce to you my good friend,
Judge Butler, Of South Carolina
But all these charms of pleasant social in
tercosrse, wit, tact, and high bred courtesy
were ''ns let" to him when the time for de-
cision and action came. He easily broke
through the silken network, and strobe into
the arena q stalwart, full armed gladiator.
He struck right and left good, resounding,
staggering blows, but it is a mistake to say
that he "battled almost single-handed with
the most reckless political power the world
has ever known throughout many stormy
years." In our tributes to him let us not be
unjust to others. In the Senate at the time
when he grappled SO manfully with the slave
power was William II. Seward-not so radi-
cal as Sumner, but always an anti-slavery
man-nst often storming, but always sapping
and mining the enemys works; Salmon T..
Chase, never flinching from handlo hand
combat with any champion Of Southern rights ::
John p. Hale, whose audacious worrying
ever renewed attacks, Mr. Clay. 50 aptly
characterized as guerrilla welfare;" and
sturdy Henry Wilson, who coolly stood his
ground against menaces and under insults,
who never clustered, and never backed down
In the House, there was the old guard of
liberty and popular rights. Father Giddings,
Horace Mann. Thaddeus Stevens, and Ben
Wade, and . little while, Gerrit Smith Among
the youngest men were Robert Rantoul,
George w. Julian, and David Wilmot. Out
side he had great aid and comfort in the
National Era. SO admirably edited by DR..
Bailey and John G. Whittier
met Mr.. Sumner on his first visit to Phil
adelphia, after the attack made on him by
Mr.. Brooks. He was fsarfully changed.
His face vas psllid and anxious, his manner
nervous, and he walked like an old man
yet while we were fearful, or hotly indignant,
he uttered no word OF complaint or bitterness.
During die war l often saw Mr.. Sumner,
and always remarked that he seemed burdened
with 9 mighty weight Of care. He did not
take life lightly in any respect. He always
toiied terribly at everything he undertook.
lie was severely artistic and austerely con-
scienfious in all his work. OF late years /
have seen him countless times, in and out of
the Senate, and yet regrets will come that
have NOT seen him ohener-regrets old as
human love, ~ sorrow, as death. Whenever