Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-03-18

WEDNESDAY, MARCH Is, 1874
MR.. SUMMERS LIFE.


The death of Senator Charles Sum-
ar which we notice elsewhere calls for
biographical sketch of his life.
Charles Sumner was born at Boston,
massachusetts,, January 9th, 1911, and
the time Of his death he was there
ca little over 65 years Of age. He
= duated at Harvard College in 1880
was admitted to the bar in 1884
is first official position was reporter
1.-THE United States Circuit Court In
''ston, and he subsequently published
ree:volumes Of Judge Story's decisions
der the title of Summers Reports"
ar awhile he also edited the Amcri-
go Jnrist. In 1887 he went to
europe where he spent 8 years. On
.as return he resumed the practice of
w in Boston.
On the 4th of July. 1915, he deliv-
red his celebrated grafton on "The
tue Grandeur Of Nations" which
erved to ALLEVIATE him from the Wing
srty with which he had acted up to
dat time 1t was followed by his ad-
-ress to the Massach usetts Wings on
The Anti-Slavery Duties of the Wing
t,arty," and in 1913 he was an open
lad avowed supporter Of the Free Soil
,.ause
In 1850 Mr.. Sumner was elected to
Daniel Webster's place in the United
Senate, tina latter having been called
guso the Cabinet of Mr. Fillmore, Mr.
Samner at once took prominent part
IN the affairs Of the nation, his first
Important speech being an attack on
he Fugitive Slave law then pending.
In 1855 he delivered his celebrated
speech on 1.-THE Crime against Kan
sas." This speech occupied two days
u Its delivery, and it was in this ad.
dress that he gave ofense to Preston
s. Brooks, congressman from South
Carolina. Two days later Brooks at
~ III
afflicted injuries which doubtless has.
ssned his death. Mr.. Summers first
term in the Senate expired in 1857,
aud he was reelected to the Senate
~ an almost unanimous vote, but for
s,early two years was disqualified from
very active service by reason of injur-
les he received at the hands Of Brooks.
fu the session Of 1860 he delivered
isis most eloquent, elaborate, but Bit
Ter speech, en- the "Barbarism of Sla
very" He took anssactive part in the
campaign which resulted in the cleo
ZION of Mr.. Lincoln to the Presidency,
md was appointed chairman of the
committee. OH Foreign relations, the
raost important position in the Senate.
He held this position for ten years and
was succeeded by Senator Cameron, of
Pennsylvania Early in the war of the
eebellion he took radical ground favor
ing emancipation as the speediest solu
ton of the vexed problem. He was
che author Of the resolutions on tor
eign mediation, which passed both
houses March Sd, 1868, and numer-
Gus other measures which materially
aided the government in the prosecu-
ton of the war. 1-s "t fli. -
In the Johnson imbroglio Mr.. Sum
uer was active for impeachm ent. In
1911 he wrote his celebrated letter to
the convention of colored people at St.
Louis, in which he severely criticised
the republican party and virtually
withdrew from active participation in
its movements. His subsequent dis
placement from the committee on for
esgn relations caused bitter pang to
to his naturally sensitive nature. Re
Gently he has acted with what is known
as the Liberal Republican party, and
opposed the reelection of President
Grant with all the bitterness and vindic
tiveness he was capable Of commanding
We believe it may be said, without
contradiction, that the last years o.
his life have been disappointment both
to himself and friends. But in the
death Of Mr. Sumner America loses
her greatest statesman and orator, ane
Freedom its foremost and most elo