Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-03-20
The Leisure Hour.
CHARLES SUMNER.
a Brief Sketch OF his Life and Public
Services.


tCondeused from the Boston JournAll
Charles Sumner constituted notable ex-
ceptiun 10 the great majority Of American
statesmen in not having sprung from a ru-
raj and obscure parentage. He was born
in Boston on the 9th OF February, 1911. His
father was Charles Pnckney Sumner,
graduate OF Harvard, lawyer by profess
sion, who for fourteen years was High
Sheriff OF the county OF Suffolk. He was
highly esteemed among his fellow citizens,
and it would seem from the toast which he
gave at a celebration he happened to attend
on the island of Hayti, viz: Liberty,
Equality and Happiness TO all men," that
his more distinguished son came naturally
b. the humane and lofty spirit which H.
lumiued his career. 1t is curious also TO
observe that the Summers always had
another peculiarity which marked their
most famous representative they were OF
these Kenlish Englishmen whose great
stature, strength and endurance had given
them the front rank in battle when the
bow and the spear were the soldiers wea-
puns. What was said Of one of the early
Roxbury Summers would read perfectly
well Of the subject ofthis notice, before he
suffered from his almost martyrlOm "He
was of colossal size and equal strength of
muscle which was kept in tone by regular
ity and good habits. lie shrunk from no
labor, however arduous and fatigung It
might seem TO Others"
| With such constitutional ondow wments,
Charles Sumner set forth in life from high
vantage ground. He was prepared for col
lege at the Boston Latin School and at Phil
lips Academy. Tradition says that even at
this early period he was known TO rise be-
fore daylight to read Hume and Gibbon
| and other historians. He continued tue
same assiduity in study upon entering
Harvard University, where he graduated
with honor in 1880. He entered the Law
School the next year, under the drec-
tion of his warm and life long friend, Judge
Story. During his law course he wrote sew
eral articles for the American Jurist, whirl
gave him such a reputation that he was
soon invited 10 become the editor OF thai
important journal. After completing his
studies in the Office of Benjamin Rand,
Esq, Mr.. Sumner was admitted to the bal
at Worcester, but commenced the practice
OF his profession in Boston in 1884. Short
ly after he was appointed reporter to tht
Circuit Court, aud published the three
volumes known as Summers reports
For three successive winters alter his ad
mission to the bar, during the absence o
Professors Greenlear and Story, he lectureC
10 the law students at Cambridge, and TO
some time had the sole charge at the Dam
School.
In the autumn Of 1887, Mr.. Sumner visit
ed Europe, whose advantages, literary, SO
cial and artistic, he enjoyed 10 the utmost
till the spring OF 1910. In England, wher
the letters of Judge Story and others a
well as his own fresh reputation, opened t.
him The highest circles Of the land, he spen
nearly year attending the debates in Par
, lament and cutivating the Acquaintance
of leading men.
In returning home Mr.. Sumner resume
the practice of his profession, but not, W
: infer, with remarkable success in finau
/ cal point of view. He had TO wait his turn
but he did not pause in his studies Will
biding his time. He again occupied th
: chair Of lecturer at the Cambridge La
: School, and in ls4446 edited Vesey's Re
= ports in twenty volumes. His public reE
utation dates from the 4lh OF July, ls4
> when he delivered before The authorities {
L Boston his Grafton on THE True Grandeu
l. of Nations" 1t was a brilliant plea fC
universal peaec-luminous in though
ornate in style, and instinct with the mo
advanced philanthropy. Indeed, OF
would never imagine from its perusal th
its author could possibly be brought und
Or any circumstances TO tolerate, much less
10 support war for any purpose.
m Up to this time Mr.. Sumner had take
no prominent part in politics. He was
birth and conviction a Wing, althoui
even then he had imbibed that anti-slave
sentiment which was enrolling in its su
port the best blood of the North. The agit
lion of the question ofthe annexation
TeIas-drawing In Its train the nigh
consequences then hid from yiew-attract'
- Mr.. Sumner away from his law books al
his literary studies. In the autumn Of is