Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1874-03-20

it is because of the conviction that l cam
not compromise; but the moment I COM
promised, /, too, should be lost"
To every appeal OF friend or threat Of
foe, he pointed to the Constitution as his
only platform, proposition or remedy. Lin
coin had been rightfully elected by the
American people, let the decision be re-
specled and the President inaugurated, and
then there would be time to listen 10 all
complaints. The advice was Intellectual, of
course, because the time had come for that
power which vas TO perish by the sword
to take II.
At the Republican State Convention at
Worcester, October l, 1861, he delivered his
great speech, entitled "Emancipation our
Best Weapon" In 1t, he said: 1.-THE DOM
ineering oligarchy is dislodged from the
National Government, never more 10 re-
turn. This far at least has emancipation
prevailed. The greatest slave of all is Jree'
an oratorical turn which for simple bril-
liancy and cutting force is unsurpassed in
all his speeches.
His support OF all the war measures of
the Government, even when the adoption
VI hls OWH purity SCbltu IlJHl uOuUliult
was constant and effective. As Chairman
of the Senate Committee on Foreign Az
fairs he did much in aid of Mr.. Sewards s
mastery conduct OF our international re-
lations, though he did not always agree
with the Secretary's policy, particularly in
the memorable Trant case, or the seizure OF
Mason and Slidell, the Confederate Con-
missiouers
At this period OF his life the friends of
Mr.. Sumner were much gratifed by the
announcement of his marriage with the
widow of son OF Hon. Samuel Hooper,
formerly Miss Mason of Boston. The I'M
ion, however, proved unfortunate, and a
separation by mutual consent soon follow
ed, involving no diminution of respect TO
Mr.. Sumner on the part OF those best ac-
quainted with the circumstances.
II is not necessary TO fnli"'" Lin through
the campaign VI 1864, when lie vigorously
advocated the reelection OF Lincoln, nor
through the events consequent upon the
death OF that great man. In the issue be-
tween acting President johnson aud the
Secretary OF War, Stanton, he earnestly
sustained the latter, while he was among
the foremost in resisting and counteracting
the general reactionary course of johnson
on reconstruction. He took an active part
in the Presidential campaign of 1865, max
ing several speeches for Grant and Coliax.
At the opening Of the new Administration
he gave it bis support, though not with the
manifest cordiality which had been antici-
pated by some of his friends. The new re-
gime brought in a military flavor which
was not agreeable TO him, and possibly he
was not consulted as he had thought his po-
eition required, particularly as head of the
Foreign Affairs Committee. When the
question of the Alabama damages came up,
Mr. Sumner delivered most powerful
speech, in which he pressed TO the fullest
extent the claim for consequential DANA
ges. The Administration took different
view, and / the subsequent negotiations,
although aner some inconsistency of man
aGoment. il abando od tho olain, alto eth
er. Owing TO this disagreement, and posi-
bly, other reasons, Mr.. Summers intimate
friend, Mr.. Motley, was removed from the
post OF Minister 10 the Court of ST. James.
Then arose the Santo Domingo question,
strenuous aud unsparing in its criticisms OF
President Grant as any he had been in the
habit OF directing against the slave power
or the rebels. BY this time the alienation
between Mr.. Sumner and the Administra-
tion was we'll nigh complete, and his own
removal from the Craftsmanship of the Sem
ate Committee on Foreign affairs certainly
did nothing TO mitigate 1t. We are not now
called upon 10 adjust the responsibility for
this unhappy result. If it was due in some
degree TO want Of proper consideration on
| the part of the Administration, it was also
render cd nearly inevitable by the peculiar
tiles of Mr.. Sumner. The alienation whose
beginnings we have traced proceeded rap
| idly, till, in the nomination of Mr.. Greeley,
in the Presidential campaign of 1872 Mr..
Sumner, while still claiming TO be Repub-
lican, lelt the Republican organization and
Joined its conrederoted opponents. The rea-
sons which lie gave for this cOurse-elaGor-
ately and ably as they were given-made nc
impression upon the great body of his old
friends and admirers, least OF all in the Com
monwealth which had given him such un.
falling and grateful support. His detection
however, was regarded more in sorrow thar
in anger, and the bitterness and persona
| invectivG which, in his public efforts, wer,
directed against President G rant, were just
ly referred 10 the rhetorical habit of th,
man, rather than to any real unkindness o
his heart.
The time has not come for doing full jus
tice 10 the great career and the great charac
ter so family outlined in the preceding
sketch. Mr.. Sumner was essentially y differ
ent from the most disting uished American
statesmen who had gone before him. H.
was primarily scholar, constrained b,
prophetic moral impulses into the field O
politics. In encyclopaedia knowledge non
of our statesmen are to be compared wit
him, unless it may have been John Quinc
Adams. In philosophical tendencies b
somewhat resembled Jefferson, while h
revealed an earnesluess, breadth and fervo
in his humane SYM athies which were a
much superior TO Jeffersons as his elo
, quence was greater.
His speeches were treatises winged wit
oratory. There is nothing like them in th
records OF our national cloquence. The
are wanting in the massive simplicity, tn
conclseness and severe taste of Webster
speeches their profusion of historic allu
slons and quotations would seem artficia
but for its being the natural expression
> the authors mind, and il is doubtful If th
, peculiarly will give pleasure to anotht
l generation of readers. But the force of re;
soning, the broad energy OF purpose, SWEEP
, ing along like the Missssippi-like tina
too, showing its power in its crevasses {
, well as in lis legitimate channel-and II
> soul of moral heroism which illumlnes eV
e cry sentence, will never want for admirers