New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-30
the science and to trace them through its develop

that already then while he was yet pupil his
essays published IN tho American Jurist," and the
Boston Law Quarterly" were always characterized
by breadth of view and accuracy Of learning and
sometimes by remarkably subtle and ingenious in
vestigations.
Leaving the Law School. he entered the Office Of
lawyer in Boston to acquire knowledge OF practice
never much to his taste Then he visited Washing
ton for the first time, little dreaming what theater
of action, struggle, triumph and suffering the ma
tonal city was to become for him. for then he came
only as a studous. deeply interested looker-on. who
merely desired TO form the acquaintance of the JUS
tees and practcing lawyers at the mar OF the
Supreme Court He was received with marked
kindness by Chef-Justice Marshall, aud in later
wears he loved to tell his friends how be had sat ut
the feet of that great magistrate and learned there
what Judge should be.
Having been admitted to the bar in Worcester, in
1884, twenty-three years old, he opened an Office IN
Boston, was soon appointed reporter OF the United
States Circuit Court. published three volumes con-
tanning Judge Storys decisions, known as sum
ner's Reports" took Judge StOry's place from time
TO time as lecturer in the Harvard Law SCHOOL, also
Prof Greenleafs who was absent, and edited during
the years 1885 and 1886 Andrew Dunlaps Treatise on
Admiralty Practice Beyond this his studies. ar
duous ncessant. and thorough, ranged far and wide
Truly StuulOuS anu laDOTlous fouhs man. WI"
took the business of life earnestly in hand, deter
mined to know something, and to be useful to his
time and country.
But what he had learned and could learn at home
did not satisfy his craving In 1887 he went TO
Europe armed with letter from Judge St0ry's hand
to the law magnates of England, to whom his patron
introduced him as a young lawyer, giving promise
of the most eminent distinction IN his profession.
with truly extraordinary attainments, literary and
judicial and gentleman of the highest purity and
propriety of character.
That was not a mere complimentary introduction;
it was the conscientious testimony of great judge
who well knew bis responsibility and who after
ward, when his death approached, adding to that
testimony was frequently heard to say. shall die
content as far a. my professorshp IS concerned, II
Charles Sumner is to succeed me"
In England young Sumner, only feeling himself
standing on the threshold Of ifc was received like
man of already achieved distinction. Every circle
of society," ordinarily so exclusive was open to
him. Often by invitation he sat with the judges in
Westminster Hall. Renowned statesmen introduced
him ON the floor of the Houses of Parliament
Eagerly he followed the debates, and studied the
principles and practice of parliamentary law on its
maternal soil where from the first seed corn 1t had
grown up into magnificent tree, in whose shadow
a great people dwell in secure enjoyment OF their
rights. Scientific associations received him as q
welcome guest, and the learned and great willingly
opened to his winning presence their stores of know
edge and craftsmanship. In Frcnce he listened to
the eminent men of the Law School in Paris, at the
Sorbonne and the College de France, and with many
of the statesmen of that country he maintained in
structive intercourse In Italy he gave himself MP
to the charms of art poetry, history and classical
literature. In Germany he enjoyed the conversation
of Humboldt of Ranke the historian, of Ritter the
peographer, and of the great jurists, Savigny,
Thibaut, and Mittermaier.
Two years after his return, The Quarterly ReCie'o
said of his visit to England, He presents in his own
person decisive proof that an American gentleman
without official rank widespread reputation. by
mere dint of courtesy, candor an entire absence Of
pretension an appreciatiye spirit and a cultured
mind may be received perfect footing OF equal
ity in the best circles social POLITICAL and intellect
ual" 1t must have true, for II came from quarter
not given the habit OF fatterng Americans beyond
their deserts. Charles Sumner not the Senator
of wer fame; onl ythe young of late
sheriff OF Suffolk County IN Massachusetts. who hid
neither riches station but who possessed that most
winning charm OF youth-purity OF SOUL modesty OF con
duct culture OF mind earnest thirst OF knowledge
and brow bearing the stamp of noble manhood and the
promise OF future achievements.
He returned to his native shores in $780, himself like
collected in foreign lands. He resumed the practice of
law in Boston; but as fad 1t stated, not with remark
able success in financial point OF view That readily
believe The financial point Of view was mover to him
fruitful OF inspiration Again he devoted himself
TO the more congena task of teaching at the Cambridge
Law School, and Of editing an American edition OF
vesey's Reports" in twenty volumes. with elaborate
notes contributed by himself.
ENTRANCE INTO PUBLIC LIFE.
But now the time had when new field Of action
was TO open itself to him. On the 4th Of July 1875 he
delivered before the city authorities Of Boston an
address "The True Grandeur OF Nations" 80 far no
had been only sudent-a deep and arduous one, and
writer and teacher but nothing moro. On that day
his public career commenced. And his frat public
address disclosed at once the peculiar impulse and
inspirations of his heart and the Tendencies of his mind
1t was plea for universal peacea poetic rhapsody
the wrongs and horrors OF war; and the beauties of
cord; not indeed, without solid argument but that
argument clothed In all the gorgeousness OF historical
Illustration classic imagery. and feryd efusion rising
high above the level OF existing conditions, and pctur
ing an ideal futurethe universal reign Of justice AMI
charlty-not far of 10 his imagination. but far
beyond the conceptions of living society but TO that
society he addressed the urgent summons 40 forth at
once in pursuit OF this ideal contamination: to transform
all swords into plowshares and all war-ships sinto
peaceful merchantmen without delay believing that
thus the nation would rise TO greatness
before which it could accomplish II it only wlled t.
And this speech delivered while the citizen soldiery
in festive were standing before him. and
| while the stirred by the premonitory nut
terngs OF approaching war Tie whole revealed
himself in that utterance soul full Of the native
instinct Of Justice oyerpowering Of right aud
wrong, which made him look at the problems OF
society from tho lofty plane OF ideal morality which
fixed for him. high beyond the existing condition Of
things the for which be must strive aud inspired
and fred his ardent nature for the struggle His educa