The daily Argus., 1874-03-16

gular and unexpected triumph came to
Mr. Sumner. The recoil of public opinion
in Massachusetts, had been SO great against
the Compromise measures Of 1880, that IN
the Legislature of 1851 the Democrats,
Free -soilers, and Abolitionists combined
had majority of two or three over the
Whigs. A Senator in Congress was to be
chosen in the place of Daniel w ebster, who
had gone into President Fillmore's Cabi-
net. The Wings in the Legislature did
not doubt of the success because they did
not believe the triangular opposition could
unite. The trial day was approaching.
The Freesoilers and Abolitionists gave the
Democrats to understand that their candi-
date was Charles Sumner and that they
must take him or run their chances of get
ting Whig Now a traditional Massa-
Ichusetts Democrat could not be expected
to love an Abolitionist, but he could al
ways be relied upon to detest Whig Mr..
Sumner was bitter pill; but with the aid
Of Caleb Gushing and Benjamin r. Butler,
who were the Democratic leaders in the
House, the party put as good o face upon
the transaction as possible, and Sumner
was elected on the third or fourth ballot.
Mr.. Sumner had now entered the theatre
where he was to win laurcls that will never
fade. When he went to the Senate, Hale
had been there four years fighting the
slavery propagandists in his guerilla style.
Chase had been there four years assault
ing them in his ponderous mode. These
were Independents in politics, owing no al
legience to either of the great parties.
Seward had come in as Whig at the
same time with Chase. He was hardly
less pronounced in his hostility to slavery,
and had delivered speeches against the
compromise measures Of 1850 of surpass-
ing ability and splendor. Wade entered
the Senate with Sumner.
Mr.. Sumner was so cautious in feeling
his way on this strange ground, that he
was by and by charged with timidity, The
long session of 1872 was drawing toward
the close, and Sumner had not opened his
lips. His friends in Massachusetts were
nervous and anxious. He was understood
to have prepared long speech in favor of
the repeal of the Fugitive Slave law but
why did he not deliver it? AS the end of
the session came on apace he himself be-
gan to be embarrassed for lack of an op-
tportunity to speak within the rules. An
appropriation bill came up from the House
which contained the usual item for paying
United States Marshals. Sumner now
struck. He moved an amendment to
the effect that no part of the money
should be expended in executing the
Fugitive Slave law which is hereby re-
pealed" He then addressed the Senate
four hours in support of his motion. He
exhibited the ripe fruits Of his Cambridge
culture under Story by ransacking all
histories and codes, ancient and modern,
to tortity and illustrate his positions, The
blow was terrible; the shareholders were
filled with wrath and Massachusetts was
satisfied. From that day till the hour Of
his death the heart of the old Common
wealth beat true to her distinguished son.
i Mr.. Sumner was under the ban of the
slave power all through his earlier years
of service in the Senate; and the lords
of the lash,s as he called them in one OF
, his platform addresses, would not allow
his name to be placed on any of its COM
mittees. He felt the insult, though never
: referring to it, and fought on just the
same He pronounced two of the ablest
speeches delivered in the Senate against
the repeal of the Missouri Compromise
that insane deed which, through the un.
erring laws of retribution, finally DESTROYED
its author. destroyed the Democratic par
ty, and destroyed the institution of slavery.
In May, 1856, when the Pierce admins
tration was using all the powers of the
Government to force slavery into Kansas
Mr.. Sumner delivered q speech in the Sen
ate against that measure, bearing the title
. as subsequently published, of The Crime
I Il IL
! fully explained, the South Carolina delega
tion took special umbrage at this speech
and two days afterward Preston s. Brooks
a member of the House from that State
brutally assaulted Mr.. Sumner with
) heavy cane as he was sitting in his chat
/ writing letters Just after the Senate haC
, adjourned while Lawrence NJ. Keitt, an
! other South Carolina member, stood nea
r at hand, also armed, and ready to join i
t need be in the fray. The reiterated blow
of Brooks felled Mr.. Sumner to the floor
| staining the carpet of the Senate chambel
with his blood. Not many months after
t ward Brooks died miserably in Washing
; ton, almost literally choking to death
{ while Keitt was shot dead On the battl
field in the war Of the rebellion.
~ The effect Of this unprecedented outrag
upon public opinion in the North wa
4 electrical The Republican party wa
just entering upon the Presidential cam
$ paign. Tens of thousands of the foremos
men in that section of the Union immedi
t ately joined the ranks of the new organ
e ization, who never would have dreamed Of
f indentifying themselves with its fortune
: except for this bloody crime
y The immediate effect in Congressiona
] circles at Washington was dramatic-il
: some respects almost ludicrous. Mr.. vii
: Continued on third page)