New-York tribune., 1874-03-12

WORD or the sad intelligence spread INTO every
household in this city. more profound quiet wai
never felt in any community People in the street
spoke to each other in bated breath, and the foot
falls were softer on the pavement Sadness over
spread every face and when the name of Sumner
was mentioned. it was with sigh. The great
calamity of Lincoln's death did not seem
TO stir the popular heart moro deeply
People stopped each other on the street
to ask for later intelligence; but there pre-
vailing presentiment, which had followed Mr.. Sum-
ner through most of the day yesterday, and which
now overhung the city. that this was the great
orators last sickness. Colored men and women
mingled with white in knots about his home
and eagerly beset those who appeared
at the door or descended the steps From morning
till night the street full in front of the house;
carriages, with drivers and footmen in shining liv-
cry, rolled mOurnfully to the corner. and
titled foreigners, honored Senators, and dis
tinguished officers of the Government in
Quired If there was ray Of hope. The
department clerk, the merchant, the shopman,
all were anxious for words of promise. The colored
hackmen and hotel walters, and even the old col
ored women with baskets and bundles their arms,
did not forget to pray for the recovery of the bene
factor of their race.
The assemblage, both inside and outside Of the
Senator's home, was a mournful one. During the
forenoon his most intimate friends called on him,
and half dozen OF dozen admitted to his
presence. Among these were Speaker Blaine.
ex-AttOrney General Hoar. Senator Schurz.
Samuel Hooper, Ben: Perley Poore,
Fred Douglass, Mr. WOrmey, and
Representative Pierce. His private secretary, Mr..
johnson, to whom he was warmly attached. never
left his bedside. Messages from all quarters were
MI vhn
could not call sent sympathetic messages and in
quiries Some of these were conveyed TO Mr.. Sum-
ner aud an occasional ray of pleasure lighted his
face.
At 10 o'clock Judge Hoar entered the room. He
was recognized, and his name was pronounced. He
approached the bed and took Mr.. Summers hand.
The latter looked his colleague in the face and dis
tinctly pronounced these words: "DO not let the
Civil Rights bill fall During the night, when
half asleep, or under the influence of morphine,
he had said to his secretary. Don't forget the
bill" SuppOsing that he referred to some ordinary
household bill in his drawer Mr.. johnson assured
him that it should be remembered, making as
lightly of it as possible. Mr.. Sumner then
continued: "You do not understand
me. i mean the Civil Rights bill
This subject seemed to he in his mind constantly,
and he seemed to want Judge IIoar to take charge
III,
Whenever the Judge approached him he had some
thing to say that subject. AS he referred to it
the third time there was a most touch
ing scene. Judge Hoar sat beside the bed
stroking the hand of the Senator. The
latter required to the subject with much feeling and
pathos and begged that the bill might not be lost
with him. 1t was scene that affected all present.
He seemed TO want promise word, and, over
come with feeling Mr.. Hoar stopped and kissed the
hand he held within his own.
The countenance of the dying man again bore a
raw of light. Mr.. Sumner, without doubt, knew
that his end near, for he said TO his Secretary
q should not regret this if my book finished"
He at another time said: My book; my book is not
finished but the great account is closed" He re-
ferred TO his works, the unfinished condition of
which has oppressed him for some time. BE was
at the Congressional Library a day two
ago examining references and verifying quotations.
Mr. Sponord says that during the past two or three
! wears Mr.. Sumner, when in the city and able to
| have his bouse has spent an hour or two in the
library almost every day. He was last engaged III
correcting the proof of The ninth volume the previ
ones having gone to press. He was to the last
uncertain of the number of volumes, whether
there would be ten or twelve He also had the last
pares of another book on his table for correction
This hook was to bear the title Of Prophetic Voices
concerning America" and to contain historical
and literary sketches OF all predictions ancient aud
/ modern which might be construed to refer
| to the American Republic. OF this $50 pages
are already in type. Mr.. Sumner had two letters
from the poet LongfellOw with reference TO the
title Mr. Summer suggested the word " of instead
of concerning" but in both letters Mr.. Longfellow
objected. Mr. Sumner said he had consulted Senator
Schurz and other gentlemen the subject, who pre-
ferred the short word.
At about 70 o'clock to-day, while Mr. Schurz was
sitting beside the bed Mr. Sumner raised his head,
| onened his ewes wide, and said: why, j can't
seeY What does this meant" Mr.. Schurz said
WHY. Mr. Sumner, don't you know me" "Oh,
ves Schurz, l can see you" he replied, and
then fell back on the bed. During
all this time extending back II hours there had
boen NO change in the condition 6f the dying mans
| bodv His body and limbs remained cold and his
wrists pulseless Toward the last he complained OF
| oxceeaive weakness Il am so tired" g am SO
fred he would frequently moan. Il can't last
| mucb longer" At 9 o'clock he insisted
that the doctor should give him another
hvperde1rnical injection but he was convinced that
| it would he improper At q O'Clock he so mani
festlv improved that many OF those IN attendance
tbouebt he would last through the day. and avalIed
themselves of little rest. Mr.. Schurz, who had
| heen almost constantly at the bedside went home
for a moment and did not return until his friend
| had expired.
At thetime indicated there was a slight ductua
tion of the pulse He recognized those 'around hin
and seemed TO have recovered his brain power. H'
WAS also stronger About 10 minutes before the enc
Jndge Hoar gave him a message from Ralph Naid'
Emerson. Tell Emerson" said Mr. Sumner, IN
voice nearly choked with death "that.l love
b,m and revere him." Judge Hoar repeated th'
! -, =. .,,,o him that he was understood. "les