The Hickman courier., 1874-03-21
SUMNER.
some Interesting Points AbSf4t his Hab-
its and Character.
SUMNER.

Its and Characters
Washington Special to Courier-Journal.
Mr.. Sumner has been frequently In
the senate this winter. He was very
much excited in regard 10 the nomina-
ton of Simmons as collector of Boston.
which he regarded as being mainly in
spired by the presidents personal hos
tility to him (Sumner). The president
he considered as implacable. He had,
on his part, in Difference TO the Opinions
of his Massachusetts, friends, who felt
differently from himself about General
Grant. refrained for long time from
assailing him in his conversation but
he had been informed Che said that the
president had, on passing near his
house, remarked: There IS man
who spends his whole time IN denoun-
cling me.
The nomination of Simmons was con
firmed in spite of Mr.. Summers protest
5att it f6fstls ff6f tls gR9iaamsp5 !afle Be- . S.sr -
sachusetts Legislature in RESEMBLING their
resolutions of censure upon his course
for proposing to strike from the army
flags the references to the late civil war
Whatever the proximate cause of Mr..
Summers death may be, 1t is certain
that the attack of Mr.. Brooks upon him
had nothing 10 do with it. 1t is simply
the familiar story of hearty and full liv-
ing, severe habits of study and a sedeu-
tary life, without particle OF exercise.
In the summer season Mr.. Sumner &C
casionally rode in a carriage, but never
walked or rode on horseback, nor did
he take any outdoor exercise. He
went to the capitol in street car and
returned the same way. The wonder is
that, with such habits, he survived as
long as he did but, as he once stated
to an old friend, he had perfect digcs-
ton and physical organization.
There can be no doubt that his death
was accelerated by the wounded feel
1E e 4ep repadaed adSaP9d0ndodRs nnd Bg % his
own party, after helping to build it mp,
and also by the negroes, and that even
in Massachusetts,, the president, for
whom he had a hearty contempt, was
stronger than himself. A
Mr.. Sumner was a cid e and constant
student. Though a capital off-hand de-
batter, he usually prepared his speeches
with the greatest care and pains. HIS
life was divided between his library and
the senate chamber. He never went to
amusements or lectures, or to parties,
levees or receptions. Sometimes, but
very rarely, ut NGlib OtlL ~ NAA4AAACAs 4AS
had a number of friends who habitually
visited him, and to these as well as
strangers he was especially courteous
and hospirabIe, carefully avoiding any
thing in uttering his own political views
which might give offsnse.
Among his special personal friends
were Longfellow, Whittier, Wendell
Phillips, Carl Schurz, Sena4r Fenton,
Blair, Caleb Cushing. the
de Chambrun, Mr.. Boutwell,,
Mr.. Hooper, and most of the Massa-
chusetts delegation, Ben Butler being a
notable exception. Recent political
events had severed Mr.. Summers friend
ship with many prominent representa- !
tives in congress and, on the other |
hand. cordial relations had grown up |
with number Of such democratic sena- |
tors as Thurman, Bayard. Casseriy,
Stockton and others. For Mr.. Bayard
he frequently expressed the warmest
I,Te. courteous and Communicative, CIV
inc his own views with. the utmost |
frankuess. No man was more keenly |
soIicitous to know all important polltl- |
cal events or movements in progress. /
Mr.. Sumner was connected with no
church. and if he had any special rellg-
ious views your correspondents never
heard them expressed.