The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-05-07
SUMNER As A HISTORIC CHARACTER.

Charles Sumner now rises up before, our
eyes a historic character. Let us look al
him once more. His life lies before us IKE
an oben book which contains no double
meanings, no crooked passages, no mystic
ries, no concealments 1t is clear as crys-
tai.
il the model of perfect craftsmanship, nor
that eagle glance which from lofty emf,
nence at one sweep surveys the whole field
on which by labor, thought, strife, accom-
mediation, impulse, restraint, slow and rap
id movement, the destinies OF nation are
worked out-and which, while surveying
the whole, yet observes and penetrates the
fitness and working of every detail OF the
great machinery; not that ever calm and
steady and self-controlling good sense,
which judges existing things just as they
are, and existing forces just as to what
they can accomplish, and while instructing,
conciliating, persuading, and molding those
forces, and guiding them on toward an
ideal end, correctly estimates comparative
good and comparative evil. and impels or
Restraints as that estimate may command.
That is the true genius of craftsmanship,
fitting all times, all circumstances, and all
great objects TO be reached by political ac-
ton. ~ 80 W.
Mr.. SINNERS natural abilities were not
OF the first order but they were supple.
mented by acquired abilities of remarkable
power. His mind did not invent and
create by inspiration it produced by study
and work. Neither had his mind superior
constructive capacity. When he desired
to originate a measure of legislation, he
scarcely ever elaborated its practical de-
foil hsn7u .all n
form OF a resolution. or a bill giving in the
main his purpose only, and then he adj
vanced to the discussion of the principles
involved. 1t was difficult for him to look
at question or problem from more than
one point of > view, and to comprehend its
different bearings, its complex relations
with other questions or problems; and to
that one point of view he was apt to sub
ject all other considerations He not only
thought, but he did not hest
tate to say that all construction of
the Constitution must be subservient
to the supreme duty of giving the amplest
protection to the natural rights Of man by
direct national legislation. He was not
tree from that dangerous tendency to for
get the limits which bound the legitimate
range of legislative and governmental ac-
ton. On economical questions his views
were enlightened aud thoroughly consis-
tent. He had studied such subjects more
than is commonly supposed. 1t was one of
his last regrets that his health did not
permit him to make q speech in favor of
an early resumption of specie payments.
On matters OF international law and for
eign affairs he was the recognized authori.
ty Of the Senate
But some Of his very shortcomings sery-
ed to increase that peculiar power which
he exerted in his time His public life
was thrown into period of revolutionary
character, when one great end was the
selt-impOsed subject of a universal string.
gle. struggle which was not made, not
manufactured by the design of men, but
had grown from the natural conflict &c
listing things, and grew irresistih' ex-
on, nntll it enyeloped all =. ny ON and
the nation and the. me thought of
ing more tha~ ono great end anneal-
.uor"i -. 10 the practical sense, to the
~ Impulses of men, making OF them
IL lighting force. There Mr.. Sumner
found his place, and there he grew great
for that moral impulse was strongerin him
than in most of the world around him
and it was in him not mere crude, untu
tored force of nature, but educated and
elevated by thought and study; and it was
found in his brain and heart. an armory OF
strong weapons given to but few; vast In
formation, legal learning, industry, elo
quence, undaunted courage, an independ
ent and iron will, profound convictions, un
bounded devotion and sublime faith. il
found there also a keen and just instinct al
to the objects which must be reached ant
the forces must be set in motion and driver
on to reach them Thus keeping the one
steadily, obstuately, intensely in view, n
marched ahead of his followers, never dis
turbed by their anxieties and fears, show
ing them that what was necessary was pos
sible, and forcing them to follow him
great moving power-such as the struggl
required
Nor can it be said that this impatient, ir
repressible propulsion was against all pru
dence aud sound judgment, for it must no
be forgotten that, when Mr.. Samner step
ped into the front, the policy Of compro
mise was exhausted; the time of compO
sition and expedient was past. Things hat
gone so far that the idea of reaching tn
end, which ultimately must be reached, b.
mutual concession and gradual and peaoe
able process, was utterly hopeless. Tn
conflicting forces could not be reconciled
the final struggle was indeed irrepressibl
and inevitable, and all that could then b
done was to take care that the final strug
gle brought forth the necessary results.
Thus,the instinct and the obstinate, cor
centrated, Irresistible moving power whic
Mr.. Sumner possessed, was an essenti;
part OF the statesmanship of the REVOLT
tiuuary period. Had he lived before {
after CHS great period, in quiet, ordinar
times, he would perhaps never have rise
in public life to conspicuous significance
But allhe was by nature, by acquiTemen
by ability, by moral impulse, made hi
one OF the heroes of that great strugg
against slavery, and in some respects Oh
first. And then, when the victory Wa
won, the same moral nature, the sam
sense OF jnstice, the same enhghtene
mind, impelled him to plead the cause
peace, reconciliation, and brotherhood
through equal rights and even Justice thu
completing the fullness of his ideal
What a peculiar power of fascinatiC
there was In him as n public mani
acted much through his eloquence, bl
not through his eloquence alone. III
speech was not graceful flow of melod
GUS periods, now drawing on the listent
with the persuasive tone of conhdenti
conversation, then carrying him alor
with more rapid rush Of thought al
language, and at last lifting him up vii
the peals of reason in passion. His arg,
ments marched forth at once in grave al
stately array his sentences like rows d
massive ,doric columns, unrelieved
pleasing variety, severe and imposin
His Orations, especially those pronounc,
in the Senate before the war, contain mar
passages of great beauty. There W,