New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-07-02
VOL. XXXlV.....No. 1854.
CHARLES SUMNER.
A TRIBUTE FROM FRANCE.

LONDON. June 19-An article on Charles Sumner
in the current number of the Rerue des Der MohueS
deserves attention several grounds Tue petioui-
cal in which il appears is the most important In Eu
rome. The article is the only one have seen pup
lished in Europe attempting to give an adequate
account of the dead statesman. Its author MI Au
suste Lauqel knew Mr.. Sumner we'll enough TO be
able to make his narrative in parts personal
one. NJ. Laugel has been for many years the private
socretar,y of the Duc dAumale and is still better
known by his writings on science and by his careful
and able book on England, where he resided lor
many wears He has visited America, with wnlch
close personal tics unite him. and he is one OF rev
living Frenchmen to whom English and American
affairs are not sealed book. Mr. Summers acqualnt-
ance with distinguished Europeans of many coun-
tries was very large; by his European reputation ne
set great store and of the many tributes offered TO
his memory he would value not least an elaborate
notice in the Rerae des DeUr Mondes doing justice TO
the aims of his life, and assigning him something
like his true place in the history of his country
This, Mr.. Laughs paper, on the whole, may be
said to do That there should be mistakes in it, and
wrong appropriations of the part played by Mr. Sum
ner in certain great events, is but natural Inc
Alabama business and the separation OF MI Sumner
from the Republican party are Instances but the
distortions of fact are certainly unintentlonai, ana
are less numerous than are accustomed to expect
in a European statement about American affairs;
or might say, an American statement about Euro
pean affairs since the virtues of perfectly accurate
knowledge and perfectly just estimate OF each
others dongs are not too common in the nations OF
either hemisphere.
Mr. Laugel regards Mr.. Sumner as one of the three
representative men of the American epoch; the one
who emancipated the blacks aud who, with Lincoln
and Seward saved the American Union. Some of
rs would substitute another name than Stewards In
this Trinity no doubt, but from Mr.. Laugels point
of view Seward represented the Union abroad, and
defended il against unbelieving Europe, when ready
to declare itself an enemy; Lincoln personifed it in
the eyes of the people; Sumner was its legislator.
1t was at the time of Mr.. Summers VISIT to Paris
after the Brooks outrage, when his life was
martyrdom and in the intervals of the cruel opera
tons he endured, that Mr.. Laugel first saw hlm
His memory is of man of lofty stature, his head
covered with uxuriant locks, imposing smhng
readily spite of his su1erings; there was nobility in
his features; his voice was grave, deep, and slow;
his whoe person gave you the Of great force in
repose. 81 may scarcely speak," adds Mr. Laugel
ofhis exquisite courtesy and his kndliness lie had
an Unsuitable intelligence, wanted to know every
thing, men and things not to crafty barren curl
Dsity but as q statesman who despises nothing and
observes without ceasiug." Imperial society had
little attraction for him; his political ideas as well
as his literary tastes led HIM rather 10 seek the Old
Parliamentary Leaders, NJ. Guizot, M. de Montalem-
bert the Due de Broghe, Nj. de TOcqueville The
Empire seemed to him mere accident, and be was
astonished to see French Liberals submissive and
despoldent. While most Americans came to Pans
only to enjoy the splendors of the capital Sumner
occupied himself with affairs, and his penetrating
eve pierced the depths of the future and foresaw the
ruin of that fragile prosperity
Next Mr.. Lauge saw him at his home In Boston,
in the Iittle house in HancOck-str in room hung
with portraits engraved by Nanteull. MIR. Sumner
showed his visitor Boston in the way he loved to
show it to foreigners of distinction, in detail-the
Boston of that day and Boston as 1t was IN It's
cradle; then Cambridge and the incompatible
country which lies about the city. They visited
Garrison. whom Mr. Laugel found modest and
kindly strange contrast, certainly to the bitter
and querulous man who in late years pursued Mr..
Sumner and many another comrade IN the anti
Slavery fight with rancOr and base reproacbes.
They passed happy hours in the company of the
circle of friends whom Mr.. Laugel describes as pos
sessing something of the enthusiasm Of an ancient
poetic plead, friendships without trace of jeal-
ousv the most lively curiosity about Europe-lts
writers more than its soyereigns and statesmen-the
greatest calm amid the stir Of civil war; yet filled with
IL most ardent patriotism, grave and restrained
emotion which took nothing from the charm OF the
most alnlDie hospitality All tneso HIGH AeAo Vii"'
they were occupied with a noble work, fashioning
the thought of young nation dazzled by It's own
hopes, already proud enough to value intellec
tual greatness above that of things material This
sentiment breathed in the august gravity of Emer-
son in the Olympian sweetness of LOngfellow, in
the grace of Lowell, in Holiness wit. IN the areor
of AgassizD Some weeks later Mr.. Laugal met Mr..
Sumner at Washington, and was introduced by him
TO Seward and President Lincoln. He was con-
WINGED that the President had profound respect for
the Massachusetts, Senator In his presence Lincoln
permitted himself none of those sallies which in
deed he used habtually only to shut the
mouths of indiscreet OF importunate persons,
but showed rather the sadness which
was really the basis Of his character, and
his somewhat uncultivated good sense sought for
lessons and gave cOunsels at the came time. Sum-
per's enemies were numerous but Mr.. Lincoln would
do nothing to weaken him His kndliness in the
end dssipated Summers early fears; their tone OF
mind was wholly different but their alliance, based
on mutual respect, became a real friendship re-
gret that have no room for the very interesting
picture of Seward which follows, and of Mr.. Sum-
ner's relations with him. 70 Mr.. Laugel Mr.. Sumner
was evidently the central figure at Washington.
The foreign ministers sought him man to be de-
pended on and for the interest of his conversation
and be always had true friends among them, His
life was most laborious; he early. received
visits wrote his reports, ana every day was u his
place in the Senate. AT that time he was continu-
ally occupied with the measures of detail which
were to follow the abolition of Slavery, and give
the negro civil rights as well as liberty. Here Is
vivid scene:
One day was talking on the floor OF the Senate with