Daily Kennebec journal., 1874-03-17
MR.. SUMNER.

from his house at Washington to the Capitol,
Friday morning. Funeral services were held
in the Senate Chamber, which was packed full
before eleven o'clock. The Chamber was
draped in mourning. and the casket was COW
cred with beautiful floral decorations, contrib
uted for the occasion. The Speaker and
House of Representatives were in attendance.
Among the most imposing features of the cere-
monies was the entrance Of the Justices of the
Supreme Court 10 their official robes of black.
The President and every member of the Cab
met were in attendance. At II 80 o'clock
the religious exercises were commenced, and
after reading from the Scriptures, and earnest
prayers by Rev. Drs. Sunderland and Butler,
Chaplains of the two Houses of Congress,
Senator Carpenter, as President Of the SEN
ate. in few appropriate words committed the
body to the Sergeant at Arms and Committee
Of Arrangements to convey to Massachusetts,
and then consign to the tomb.
Senator Morrill, was one of the Senate Com
mittee of arrangements, and Mr.. Ifale was up
ON the House Committee.
The Philadelphia Record gives the follow
ing description of the coffin forwarded to
Washington from that city for the reception
ofthe remains:
SIT Is nearly square, and made of species
of wood said to be more durable than any
metal. The side panels are covered with
black cloth. The handles, Of which there
are eight, are of solid silver. They represent
two hands grasping q rod about eighteen
inches long. The lid is in two parts, or PAN
els, and made of French crystal plate glass
The panels Of cloth are made so as to cover
the glass when required. The entire casket
is surrounded by massive moulding of silver
The inside is upholstered with white satin,
silk, and Venetian lace, heavy silken tassels
dropping from each corner. The casket is
six feet four inches in length. four handles,
above described, being on each side.''
Hon. Stephen Preston, Minister Plenpo:en-
tiary of the Republic of Hayti to this country,
received cable dispatch from his Govern.
of the remains of Senator Sumner upon their
arrival at New York. He was also directed
to accompany them to Boston, and there to
attend the funeral in his official capacity.
The remains reached Boston Saturday at
seven P. NJ, and we're placed in Doric Hall.
The final services were held yesterday in
Kings Chapel. The city wore an appearance
Of general mourning, flags being at half mast,
and business suspended.
The legislature paid due observance to the
occasion. Many and elegant tributes were
paid TO the deceased Senator. Resolves were
adopted, the last of which declared. THAT in
the galaxy of her illustrious children, whose
colonial, Revolutionary, constitutional, and
military services shed an undying lustre upon
her name, Massachusetts, has no worthier
son."
Among the remarks in the legislature called
out by the occasion, that Of General Banks
was the most elaborate, containing much that
was interesting. The following in relation to
Mr.. Sumner as an orator, and a man of SYM
pathetic and generous nature is found in the
eulogy Of Mr.. Banks; As an orator, he had
in his time few equals, certainly no superior.
1t 10 unnecessary for us to speak Of him in
comparison with the ancient orators We
know little about them, we never heard them,
We know of them only by tradition, al we
know enough of tradition 10 doubt hat all that
is said in praise of them is or can be really
true. But the early orators of our own coua-
try we must remember perfectly we'll; and
however much we esteem them and approve
their efforts, we must remember that the same
orations which were then delivered with stud
led phrase. and with modulated voice and pre-
arranged action, would not suit the people of
our day. 1t is even doubtful that the orations
whic!: thirty or forty years since so entranced
the people of the United States would he now
appreciated as they were then. The world is
too busy to listen to artistic and studied har-
angues but we want to come directly TO the
point at issue, and understand the reasons for
and against them. And, measured in this way,
Mr.. Sumner had no superior. He was not
only an orator, an instructive speaker upon
all great subjects which he was called upon to
discuss, but he was keen and able debater,
which Is very different thing. And, although
debate involved those sharp thrusts and re-
iorts which were unpleasant, TO him through the
whole period OF his life, yet, when necessary,
he had as sharp and bitter tongue as any
man that he ,coentered. / myself have
heard few woris uttered by him in the SEN
ate Of the Ubited States, in the midst of the
assaults that were made upon him, that
seemed to impregaate and change the very
atmosphere of the hall in which he stood
Sueh was his character, such his power Of