New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-04-28


then already pledged. The who supported him In
1851 were with few ceptions his supporters in 1857
1863 and 1869. Mr. Sumner was. at times, In advance OF
the people OF the State, but in his hostility to the ins
tuition Slavery in his efforts for its abolition, and the
reconstruction OF the Government upon the basis OF
freedom, ne never misrepresentod Massachusetts In
the cause OF liberty he apostle martyr, and finally
conQueror In this cause and by nature well he was
self reliant sefassertng and aggressive and therefore
his life, he often said, life OF controversy. HIS
nature mperous, and he made little allowance for
the dversties men, and often he dealt harshy
with those who opposed failed to accept his views 1t
is. however happy memory for his friends ard coun
trymen that after his return from Europe, he had only
kind words for all, even for those with whom he had
most differed upon personal and public questions.
There limitations TO every form of human great
ness Mr.. Sumner follower OF ideas. general
declaration the fullest expression of ideas; ana Mr.
was inclined to trust general declarations aud
to emOody them in the Constitution and laws. Insttu-
tons often unsatisfactory when tested by the ideas
they designed TO represent speak rather OF what
has been than OF our hopes OF the future. Our own
Constitution is now near approach to the Declaration
Of Independence, and may anticipate the time when
local governments and independent nations, In the dis
charge Of their duties and the exercise of their powers
Will conform practically to the best ideas of justice and
peace. Mr.. Sumner impatient OF delay, aud hence
he accepted reluctantly those amendments TO the Con
sttuton which to others seemed sufficient for the
protection Of personal and public rights. 1t is
therefore 10 be admitted that the business OF
government and for the time in which he lived
Mr.. Sumner was not always practical statesman
The world usually busy to itself with the
Of the past unless they have special claims to con
sderatiou. The Immortal few in politics and govern
ment those who have led in proceedings in which
men Of all times interested. The American Revou.
ton gave a few such to the country aud the
tho Mast far fhp n
others. Among these may venture to place Charles
Sumner, whose labors fidelity and suerngs can never
be omitted from the history of the As its ntu-
euce widens and deepens the current OF universal
lfe the of the engaged III 1t viii be
more appreciated throughout the world. The blow
struck at Slavery in America will prove as eiiectual
against Slavery in other country. While Slavery
existed with us and suffrage was limited and the truths
OF Declaration Of Independence not realized in
the Government, mOnaTcAies and aristOcracies had
defense admitted failure OF the great Republic
That defense is taken away, and one after another
personal and class Governments must fall. Thus Will
Mr. Sumner Justly claim consideration in other lands
and from future times
Thus has Mr. Sumner bound himself to his country
men races and the civilized world, by chords
that may traced through the ages long justice
shall find defenders the divine spirit of liberty shall
animate mankind. But these thoughts relate to the
uncertain future We called in the present 10
accept truth that the death Of Charles Sum-
ner signal loss 10 the Senate and the people OF the
United States aeviated III some degree by the belief
that his life character and public services, especially
IN favor of human liberty and universal peace will ever
be held in grateful remembrance by his oountrymen,
and the knowledge thereof transmitted to posterity as
an example for future generations
SENATOR THURMAN's SPEECH.
Mr. PRESIDENT Ny personal acquaintance with
Charles Sumner began few days after took my seat
/ mad tnFnr a1a-
tons approaching intimacy, and personal friendship
resulted that was never marred for moment by any
political differences however great and decided There
fore that speak to-day and speak, not 80 much
Of the politician statesman the man. leave to
those who conceded with him In public anllrs TO
deipeate his public services in such terms to them
seem lust. i offer humble tribute to his personal
character appears to that one OF the most strik-
ing pecuarites OF Mr.. Summers mind was breadth,
than accuracy; predominance OF the ideal over
the practical a devotion to great idea without due
regard to its unavoidable limitations. That this
intellectual bent sometimes lei him to overlook what
should have been seen, to disregard OBJ
stcles that more practical would have felt bound
TO respect 10 advance theories that however beautiful
in the abstract hedged about by limitations In the
concrete and often made bim-especialy upon consu
onal and legal uneXact and nconcluslye
reasoner must be admitted think, by even his most
ardent admirers. Who of has forgotten how he, in
effect placed the Declaration OF Independence above the
Constitution and deduced from 1t powers govern
ment that no one but himself ever thought were con-
ferred by the fundamental lawi Who can forget his
unreasonable demands upon Great Britain by reason Of
her conduct during civil wari Who does not re-
member his otrepeated idea that the islands Of the
Caribbean Sea and Gulf should be wholly abandoned
TO the African racef But in all these and in other in
stances might be named his views however imprac
cable they seemed Others were in accordance with
lofty ideal that satisfactory to himself and from
which he would not willingly depart.
Another trait Mr. Sumner his love OF discussion
He never within my knowledge shrunk from It, and he
was the determined opponent of all attempts to limit
debate in the Senate by previous question or other re-
srietion OF tho rule He spoke often and deliberately
himself and he was the best and perhaps the most
courteous listener TO the speeches OF others
He placed very high estimate upon the power and
effect of discussion, often In conversation citing in
stances OF being carried or defeated by thor
M Oh debate And 1t happens that the last words he
ever spoke to me- adverse vote on bill he had
opposed, were these;
Mr. Thurman this Is another instance OF the good
eeacts of debate Had been taken on this bill
without discussion 1t would nave passed almost unanl-
mously.
Itis an old saying that the foundation OF poeness is
Violence which leads us to contribute TO the happ
ness of others and avoid thatcOud give them
main All who knew Mr. Sumner In social life VIII bear
witness that he exempfed the truth OF this saying
MAYER knew him in a mixed company to Introduce any
tonic that might prove disagreeable otherwise When
such a topic was introduced by others he was always
one OF the divert the conversation to some other
subject and can bear witness that he could sit down
With potical opponent and discuss political questions
nnon which they differed most widely without for
single moment losing his temper or manifesing want
of respect for views Of his adversary This In my
opinion Mr. President, deserves 70 be ranked among
the virtues and when add that In the conversation
of the deceased there was anything low or vulgar
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