Port Royal commercial and Beaufort County Republican. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1873-1874, 1874-04-16
The Sumner Meeting.

Tho memoir VIZ" Jha,. since the
death OF Charles Sumner, las been surg
ing through the length and breadth OF
the union, has reached Beaufort. On
Monday evening last, meeting was called
in the Tabernacle Baptist church which
was largely attended. Mr. L. s. Llhglcy,
on behalf of the committee Of arrange
mentS, amounced that Lieut.. Gov.
Glcaves would preside. The proceedings
were opened by prayer hy the Rev. But
Ter. The president said. The occasion thai
has called us together this evening, is
one that is most sad at all times and es-
pecially so when brought home to our
hearts for those we love. ard those who
loved us, who are now laid in the dust.
The death of the illustriOus statesman,
Charles Sumner. may be said to he ma
tiona calamity, for the nation has lost
one of its brightest ornaments. lie was
indeed one of nature uOblcmcn and we
have assembled here to night As humble
citizens for the purpose Of paying tri-
butte of respect to his memory.
p. l.. Wiggin was the first speaker.
In the course Of his remarks, he re-
ferred to the solemnity and Importance
of the occasion that had called them to-
gethcr. Charles Sumner, the friend of
the oppressed, the noble philanthropist
was no more. lie had yielded up his
God given life, and ripe in that goodness
which will carry his name down to poster
ity as the great champion Of human free
dom, has been gathered to his fathers.
He was the pioneer of abolition with men
such as Adams, Garrison, Tappan, Phil
lips, and Theodore Parker. He embel-
ished his remarks with numerous extracts
from the speeches of Sumner, showing
his views aud the steps he took on the
slave question, and on the civil rights
bill, and in conclusion, he said: They
remembered him as one Of our foremost
minds that lead in the great national
struggle for the emancipation of the slave.
They remembered him as most inde-
fatigable advocate Of the principles of
equal rights and human liberty. They
remembered him as the gallant politician
who for ncarl Y twenty years lead the ab.
olitioniSts in their crusade against human
slavery. Who with unfinchiug nerrc,
and untiring spirit, stood up against ridl-
cule, snccrS, reproachcS, and insult III
behalf of wrongcd and DEGRADED race.
They remembered him as having contri-
buted and sacrificed more, with perhaps
the exception OF old John Brown, of
HaYpers Ferry than any other man in
America, in behalf of human liberty. He
has gone in the fuln"SS of his years, in
the zenith of fame and glory, but not un-
Ill the great object of his life had been
accomplished. But although dead he
siill liyas. Lives in that noble record
that time can never oblitcrate, and gen
erationS yet to follow will .vencrate and
revere the name of Americas CREATES,
scholar. statesman, patriot and philan-
thropist, Charles Sumner.
Gen. w, j, Whipper made polished.
finished and eloquent address, and we
are sorry that space will not permit more
than brief synopsis of the entire pro
eecdiugs, He said !: A great man had
fallen. Charles Sumner Was dead. Oft
times nations slackened their busy race
to pay tribute to departed worth, but
never in the history ofthis, or perhaps in
the history of any other country had
there ever been an occasion for more
heartfelt sorrow and contrition, than the
present There was but one Sumner