The New York herald., 1874-03-25
Livingstone and Sumner.

The arrival of the body of DR.. David
Livingstone at Alden is the most convincing
proof that the greatest of modern explorers
has perished in the midst of the labors to
which he had devoted life full of noble
enthusiasm and matchless physical and moral
courage. In few days now the appreciative
people Of England will gather at his bier to
speak in fearful sorrow those last words
which through all ages England has paid to
the memory of her illustrious dead When
Sumner passed away from us there was
momentary hush here the engine OF public ac-
tivity was stopped and the national woe
received more than ordinary expression.
Sumner and Livingstone in many respects
were men Of the same school-they were
both chieftains. In no station of life
would either of them ever have been of Lili-
putian intellectual stature. Both were men of
large brain, grand aims, resolute minds
sledge-hammer men, striking seldom, but
making every blow tell Both hated slavery,
from an intense feeling that it was base and
ignoble institution. One saw it where it had
grown up q blot on the institutions of great
people, poisoning its social life, corrupting its
political principles and arraying section
against section, eliminating in stupendous
war. The other saw it where it had existed
for thousands of years as patriarchal and
tribal despotism, where slave owned and
sold slave in turn, and where human
life had not the value of string
of beads or an ounce of copper. Living
H. ~,
which stands in no high repute among those
who have painted the picture of the conven-
tional missionary. Neither was Sumner
favorite with the timeserving politicians who
keep close to the issues Of the day, being
unable or unwilling to espouse right
because it is not wrong The Scot
saw his opportunity when q loud
outburst of Indignation swept over England
and her publicists put their knives to the
throat of slavery. He plunged into Africa
almost at the same time that Sumner put his
hand to the throat of the curse in the Southern
States They both struggled on, Livingstone
losing his wife and impairing his health
Sumner driven from the Senate Chamber by
blow that ultimately was to terminate his life.
1t is not, perhaps, the moment to make sum-
mary of the great works which these two great
men, laboring in different fields, but for o
common aim, achieved throughout the course
of long careers. Yet we cannot let the oppor-
tunity pass without pointing out their deeds
and wondering why we have few such public
men. Is it due to depraved age? Is it be-
cause the standard of moral courage and
greatness has lowered? Is it because power
is necessary to intellectual grandeur? We
think not. 1t is good sign that the Massa-
chusetts Legislature has paused even to enter
tain the name of Charles Francis Adams, who
has no other Endorsement than his worth and
culture as man. 1t is good sign that the
mere charlatans of all classes ore taking s'back
seats, and that after all, malefeasance, defal-
cation and scoundreism are passing away.
The genuine national grief that will meet Liv-
ingstone's remains in England will, We hope,
have no inconsiderable influence in stimu-
lating honorable ambition among those who
may be called upon to take up his uncom-
pleted work, or indeed any works that have
higher rewards than pecuniary gain.
II = l.