Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-06-17

historic SELF lie had justified America by
her own honorable precedent, The country
knew that be spoke from the fullest knowledge,
and with the loltiest American and humane
purpose, and his service in promoting national
acquesconce ID the surrender Of the captiycs
was as Characteristic as In nerving the public
mind 10 demand emancipation.
Sumner saw in bis opponents not persons,
but cause, and, like Socrates, in the battle he
smotc 10 the death, but with no personal hos
tility. In turn he was so identified with his
own cause that he seemed TO his opponents 70
be the very spirit with which they contended,
visible, aggressive, arrogant His tone IN do
bate when be arraigned slavery, although he
arraigned slavery alone, was 80 unsparing that
all its supporters felt themselves 10 be person.
ally insulted After the war began ] heard
his speech in the Senate for the expulsion Of
MIR. Bright, Of Indiana, for commerce with the
enemy. IL was lash Of scorpions. Mr..
Bright sat n his place pale and livld by turns,
and gazing at Mr. Sumner as il he could
scarcely restrain himself from springing at bis
throat Yet when the orator shook his lifted
finger at his colleague, and hurled at him bis
scathinQ sentences, it was not the man that he
saw before him he saw only the rebellion,
only slavery in arms with Catilinian audaeity
proudly thrusling itself into the Capitol, and
saring 10 sit in the very Senate Chamber.
Bet Mr. Sumner attitude and tone that day,
vita vast majority at his side, with friendly
army IN the city, were no bolder, no more
res0luely dciisst, than when he stood IN the
same cbamtsr demanding the expulsion OF
slavery from the statute book while the major
ity ofhis colleagues would iain have silenced
him, and The city was camp Of his enemies.
the LESSON or MS LirE.
This IS the great victory, the great lesson,
the great legacy Of his life, that the fidelity Of
a public man to conscience, not TO party, is re.
waried with the sncerest popular love and
confidence. What an inspiration 10 every
youth longing with generous ambition TO enter
The great arena Of the State, that he must heed
first aud always the divine voice OF his own
soul, if he would be sure of the sweet voices
Of good fame Living how Sumner served US
and diving, at this moment how he serves US
still 10 time when politics seem pecu-
LARRY t.ean and selfish and corrupt when there
is general vague apprehension that the very
moral foundations OF the national character are
loosenod, when good men are painfully anxious
to know whether the heart Of the people is
hardened, Charles Sumner dies and the uni
yersaliN and sincerity Of sorrow. such as the
death Il no man living among us could awaken,
show how true, how sound, how generous, is
still th, heart Of the true American people.
This isthe diving service Of Charles Sumner, a
revelation which inspires every American 10
bind hf shining example as a frontlet between
the eyss, and never again TO despair OF the
higher md more glorious destiny ofhis country
And pf that destiny what q fOreshowing was
he ID that beautiful home at the sunny and
leafy corner Of the national city, where he lived
among books and pictures and noble friendships
and lOky thoughts-the home TO which he re-
turned at the close Of each day in the Senate,
4 q. .s.l 10 nd unaf from In nd
naturally came-how the stately and gracious
and all accomplished man seemed the very per-
sonifcation Of that new union Tor which he had
20 mahluly striyen, and whose coming his
diving ewes beheld-the union Of ever wider
liberty and iuster law, the America OF COM
prebensye intelligence and Of moral power
For that he stands up to that his imporishable
memory. like the words Of his living lips, for
ever lifts us-lilts US to his own great faith
10 America and in man. Suddenly from his
strong hand-my father, my father, the chariot
of Israel, and the horsemen thereof the ban
ner falls BE it ours to grasp it and carry il
still forward, still higher Our work is not
his work. but it can be well done only in his
spirit And rs in the heroic legend OF your
western valley the men Of lladley, faltering
| in the fierce shock Of Indian battle, suddenly
saw at their head the lofty form Of an un-
known captain, with white hair streaming
on the wind, by his triumphant mien strength.
ening their hearts and leading them to vic.
tory, so, men and women OF Massachusetts,, oi
America if in that national conflict already
begun. as vast and vital as the struggle OF his
lille, the contest which is beyond that of any
party, OF policy, or measurable contest ioi
conscience, intelligence, and morality, as the
supreme power in our politics and the sole sal
yation Of America-you should falter or fail
suddenly your hearts shall see once more the
towering form, shall hear again the inspiring
voice, shall be exalted with the moral energ,
and faith of Charles Sumner, and tho victorie,
Of his immortal example shall transcend th,
triumphs Of his life.