National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-04-09
from him = paihoty, and bequesth Il 70 h.
heirs as . precious legacy.

rom MN u memory and bequeath II 70 u
heirs as pfseious Legacy.
His body. from earth, returned to tho sod,
ana ms soul, from God, returned to Its Godf
such things can be, may his spirit return
TO eur legislative halls to guide US through our
pertls, If perils are to come to Us in the future.
Mr.. Arnold, for over one quarter of century
an editor and correspondent, never speaks with
out interesting an audience. Speaking of the
great sensation W hich his death had caused, he
said: Never before in this country was bier
so loaded down with choice flowers. In Phila-
delphia and New York, and more especially in
Boston, was 1t necessary to provide separate
means OF transportation for those beautiful and
touching contributions of affection. But no
blossom was white enough and no perfume fra
grant enough TO express the fullness of admit
ration felt for the dead Senator.
The secret Of this wonderful power over the
hearts Of millions is to be found in the fact that
his great intellectual resources were used un-
selfshly for the good of mankand-that no
Establishments Of office, no power of money, no
fear OF exasperated enmity, no consideration
OF friendship, no interest of any kind, either
public or private, was allowed to stand be-
tween him and the poorest and meanest indi-
vidual of his kind that needed his aid.
If he sometimes seemed too bitter when
among his peers of the Senate, he was never
| too bitter when he stood I'D to denounce the
crime of the ages. If he was sometimes too
unyielding when he was pressing his own favor
lite thories; he was never too unyielding when
he was demanding liberty for the slave. Then
1t was that all the powers of his nature were In
beautiful harmony, and he was as great in his
premeditated wrath as he was in his spontane-
GUS and peerless courage.
Mr.. Arnold here spoke in a very forcible
manner Of his successful struggle with the
slave power until he was struck down, "but
like the nameless knight in Ivanhoe, he arose
from his fall stronger than before" In re-
ferring to his course since the war he said
"We may condemn his policy. We may CEN
sure his tenacity; but we cannot withhold our
admiration for his self-sacriicing devotion, and
for the patriotic fidelity with which he chung to
his unfriended clients"
The thing of all others which was upper
most in his thoughts and was the burden Of
his legislative labors was that the redeemed
slaves should have fair chance to develope
into q better civilization. Whatever else he
showed, it was clear that he was friend to
humanity when humanity most needed friend.
But if we pause here even, we shall not get the
full measure of Mr.. Summers lofty character
Daring his twenty three years service in the
Senate, he was surrounded by all those corrupt
ing influences about which we have heard so
much. On every side there were rings, Jobs
and many combinations; and men high in power
were seeking to use him for their own purposes
But no temptation seemed to come near him.
No breath of suspicion rests upon his memory.
He never seemed to be in pursuit of wealth
He never lent himself to impure legislation;
never soiled his hands with il-gotten gold;
never went on his knees for Office either for
himself or his friends; and at the end of his
great career, there was not q shadow on his
great reputation. He was conceded to be a
pure man, patriotic man, brave man, a man
who loved humanity more than he loved riches
or honors.
| And, notwithstanding the mistakes and de-
iciencies of his later years, must, IN looking
back over his long public career, regard him as
one of the noblest characters that this country
has ever produced. And when the recording
angel comes to write down those little blem-
ishes that for the moment obscured the beauty
of his life, may he, as in the case of Uncle
Toby, drop tear on the record and wash it
out forever.
It is needless to add that the audience was
highly entertained for two hours, and no one
went away in the least disappointed as regards
the ability and eloquence displayed on this oc-
casion. A unanimous vote of thanks was ten.
| ha olyar hxyf he aud