The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1874-09-25

undaunted courage to repel the at
tack.
And subsequently to this scene, SO
feebly described, another manifesta-
ton of this sublime quality Of high
physical courage was exhibited, when
he was subjected to the most severe
and excruciating surgical tortures,
and bore them with uncomplaining
fortitude and stoical indifference OF
the North American savage.
Let us then, Mr. Speaker, give him
our admiration for the high qualities
of which in public estimation he has
been so long deprived.
Learned, eloquent, pure, and ear
nest, he had not, in my estimation,
any claims to craftsmanship. This is
shown by the fact that he closed his
public career at the very moment he
secured a triumph Of his own alien
crossing idea some ten years since.
The fanatical reformer is seldom u
builder, the ilnage-breaker cannot re-
place the image he destroys. OF all
that little band who from the first led
the forlorn hope which ultimately
effected the organization Of a great
political party, not one was found
capable of guiding or controlling it.
They turned their command over to
more practical, minds than Charles
Sumner's-to men so eminently prac-
tical, that they not only rebuilt for
others, but remarkably well for them
selves. 1t is curious, sir, to look
about me and see men now in COM
mand Of that party that Charles Sum-
ner created, who while he was in the
minority denounced him as a fanatic,
an abolitionist, an enemy of good
order, of his country, and Of man
kind, but who now exceed his utter
ances in their screams for refused
rights. Their conversion was prob
ably his most marvellous acviehem.ent.
But, Sir, had he possessed the states
mans creative power, he was too pure
a man for the politics of our day and
generation. In his, high position it
was not possible for him to be the
paid advocate, it was not possible
for him to be the associate of men
who, while waving the banner of
freedom with one hand, stole from
the public Treasury with the other.-
Why, sir, he was so pure and single
hearted that he could not even under
stand such characters,
Differing as I honestly and heartily
did with Mr.. Sumner upon the great
issues out Of which his fame grew, 1
feel it incumbent upon myself to say
that while my opinions upon those
questions remain at variance with
his, l concede to him an honesty Of
purpose in urging his peculiar theo-
ries with pertinacity unparalleled in
our political history. Defeat strong
ly inspired him with renewed energy;
and when the popular vote Of the ma
ton, as it did at times, condemned
him and his cause, he, phmnix-like,
arose from the ashes of defeat to adj
vocate with fresh ardor and invigor-
ated courage the "equaIity OF races
before the taao. "
His courage was Of higher order
than that inspired by mere brute
force. He adhered to his theories
through contumely, adversely, and
disgrace; and when the results Of his
labors, his sufferings, and his cour-
age elevated those who had detained
and despitefully used him from OBJ
security to power, he bore their re-
newed reproaches with but slight re-
taliation or complaint.
In my humble estimation Mr. Sum-
ner never appeared to greater ad-
vantage than when he magnanimously
proposed in the Senate that the
achievements of our gallant troops in
an intestine war should be obliterated
from their flags. An envious and
malignant man would have desired
to see our southren brethren humili-
ated by the emblazonment of their
disasters upon that proud banner
which we all as American citizens de-
sire to hail as the emblem Of q great
and united nationality
The evil passions growing out of
the war had become SO furious and
unreasoning as to cause his own
State to condemn his generous i'm
pulses upon that subject, but thank
God that his last moments ON earth
were cheered with the resembling res
olutions Of the representatives, OF a
people themselves the descendants Of
rebels, who felt, upon sober second
thought, what was due to people
who had gallantly risked their lives
in their adherence to what they con-
ceiyed TO be the principle that "all
lust government is derived from the
consent Of the governed" His fa
miliarity with English history had
demonstrated to him the folly Of per-
petuating hatreds and sanguinary
"reminiscences in q people who, in the
nature of things, should be homo
geneous. In the latter part Of his
life he gave evidence OF his abhor-
ence Of white political slavery no less
than that which pertained to the AZ
Iican
Mr.. Speaker, inexorable death has
claimed Charles Sumner as his own,
and tho grave has closed over his
mortal remains. We shall never in