The New York herald., 1874-03-14
LAST OF TIE ANTI-SLAVERY PI0-
NEERS.

With the death OF Charles Sumner the last OF
the small band OF the leaders OF the anti-slavery
cause in the Senate OF the eventfu period between
1850 and 1860, has been Withdrawn, unless Vice
President Wilson may be excepted. Seward,
Chase, Hale and now Sumner, have been gathered
10 their lathers and the bald and fiery ''Old Ben
Wade" has retired to such complete isolation from
public affairs that few beyond his immediate neigh.
bors know whether he Is living or dead.
AS the giants OF the senate, Of the epoch between
1880 and 1851. Clay, Webster, Calhoun Benton.
Wright and others, disappeared. these new lights,
the pioneers OF emancipation, universal liberty
and equal rights, came in, and though for years
they were regarded by their fellow senators OF the
North as impractcable enthusiasts OF one idea and
by the men Of the South as incendiaries and out
laws this isolated anti-savery band Of some half
dozen selfsacrtdcing men, lived to see and TO
share in the abounding fruits OF their persevering
labors, in the cOnsummatou OF a revolution which
they mad believed would be stu the work OF half a
century.
Among these ant-slavery leaders of the Senate
Seward was the wary, diplomatic, cool and caicu-
lating directing genius Hale and Wade were the
bold and ever ready hand-to- hand fighters against
the Hotspurs OF the South. Chase was the strong
constitutional pie ader the rights OF liberty. and
sumner the merciless denouncer OF the usurpa-
tions crimes and Darbarlsm OF slavery. Seward,
adapting mis- advances against the common enemy
to the general movements OF the anti-slavery
party. was careful not TO advance too fast or too
far. Hale and Wade were always drst In the
skirmish line, while sumner, leading the gen.
cral charges against the strongholds OF King
CO.. ton though frequently rash i'll his impe tuoslty,
still advanced the general line OF attack and held
the ground. With the rebellion, Seward and
Chase having been promoted to the Cabinet, sum-
ner became the recognized republican leader OF
the Senate but lacking me diplomatic adroitness
necessary to hold this high position, ne endan-
gered IL more and more from his
FREQUENT COLLISIONS WITH THE ADMINIsTR ATOM
and finally lost it from his st. Domingo quarrel
with the President. In this marter the Senate,
pushed to the alternative of displacng the intracts
bic Senator as Chairman on Foreign Relations
OF breaking with the President, deemed it wise
and proper to remove Sumner.
The venerable Senator, however, since the re-
election Of General Grant, had. in his position OF
armed neutrality, regained much OF the confidence
of the republicans Of the Senate ana the respect
OF both sides OF the Chamber. His successful
struggle against the proposition for an appropria
projected Centennial Worlds FAIR was a source ~
HIM OF high satisfaction, though his iabors and
vigilance from day to day for many days against
this bill were, doubtless, the immediate cause OF his
DEATH The Massachusetts, resolutions, withdraw
mitted IN the Senate just in time or with the ad-
journment OF that day. he left the Chamber ior his
deathbed. He was much pleased with this act Of
Justice; and thus placed recttts in cairiG he re-
tired, though to die as one bearing the laurel OF
crowning victory. His mission was fulfilled. He
has not, ike henry Clay lett his name upon the
statute book as the author OF the great distinguish
ster I1e he has left the record no Of pover headep
without whose support the great measures with
which his laoors are identified would not SO soon
have been achieved.
Coming as did come the unexpected blow OF his
death upon the two Houses, the event has sus-
pended active business therein for the remainder
OF the week. But already the politicians are dis
cuSslng
TIE QUESTION OF SUMMERS SUCCESSOR
Every member OF the Massachusetts delegation
is said to entertain some hopes OF this promotion,
as very sour. Besides he has not yet settled his
outstanding accounts with the electors the
question Of the Governor. Senator Boutwell,,
meantime, is confined TO his house by illness,
although is considered light and only temporary
In its character. IL would not be surprising II by
way OF a retaliation upon General Grant Tor Sim
mons, the orthodox republicans OF Massachusetts
were TO give him Dawes as Senator in the place of
Summer, although Dawes has lost caste as
croaker.
The two houses, from the depressing effects and
duties resulting-hrst from the death OF ex-Presi-
dent Fillmore and next from the sudden cutting
down oil Senator Sumner-wlll resume the regular
work OF the session on Monday. In the Senate Mr..
Logan eXpansionist on the banking and currency
question, has the floor, and q day or two may yet
be occupied in debate before the decisive vote Is
taken OH the recommitment OF the bll-the bill for
the transfer OF the present national bank cur
rency from the East TO the West and South; and
in tae House, as Monday is omnibus day, we shall
probably have some scores OF new bills presented,
In addition to the thousand already introduced.
In any event. from these late distressing events,
the TWO houses, with more serious and earnest
attention to the public business before them VIII
IL Is to be hoped, Will be good ior the country.