New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-06-13
In NemOriam.

The Central Church, at the corner OF
GasQuet and Liberty streets, was filed last
night with an intelligent audience assem-
bled to listen 10 the Grafton on The Lite
and Public Services Of Charles Sumner"
delivered before the Sanner Literary So
ciety of the Straight University by E. c.
Billings, Esq, of this city.
After music by band, prayer was Of
fered by Rev. S. s. Ashley, OF the univer-
sity, which was followed by remarks from
Professor Louis A Martinez, who briefly
stated the objects of the society, the reason
for the name adopted. and that the present
meeting was in lieu of the annual anniver-
sary exercises. Professor Martinez then in
troduced the speaker of the evening, who
delivered an able address, founded on the
life and achievements of Charles Sumner.
He reviewed at length the public career
OF the grea. statesman and scholar, COM
mencing with him as student at the Bos-
ton Latin School. as graduate Of Harvard
University. and a promising young lawyer
Mr.. Summers achievements are OF public
| record, and the leading events in his lite
are well known. His earliest effort as
| lawyer was when he argued before the
| Supreme Cour. of Massachusetts, against
the constitutionaiity OF separate colored
schools. Then came his reports Of the de-
cisions of Justice Story, whose pupil he
was; a residence Of some years abroad, and
| development to ripe scholarship; his return
and success as an orator
| In March, 1851, Mr.. Sumner was elected
United States Senator, representing the
| Abolition party. He was consistent and
Jealous in principles and work, and slavery
was abolished. Since the war his efforts
have been TO secure by constitution and
| statute complete protection to freedmen.
1t is unjust 70 characterize his civil rights
bill as one touching upen or meddling with
social rights. 1t leaves social intercourse
to be regulated by individual tastes. There
is not only humanity, but immense sagacity
underlying the bill.
His resolution TO erase from our flags the
names Of Union victories ELECTED 1Or him
much censuGe. and, directly, the condem Da-
ton of the Legislature OF his own State,
which was revoked three days before his
death. The flag Of a nation is an emblem
of its power and glory; government
would wisely remove from its common
ensign all memorials ef victories of one sec
| ton over another, and all traces OF frater
nal struggles.
What fitting attitude for the conclusion
of Mr.. Summers benefcent hfe In one
hand he holds a statute which removed
from the former slave the last impediments
in the way of his equal access, through all
public means, to the public comforts and
epjoyments, the public ameliorations and
| advantages of life; in the other hand he
holds resolution which sought to blot
from the national flag all reminders OF
triumph over those whoifougnt that slavery
might be continued.
In short space it is not possible 20 convey
the beauties of Mr.. Billings address. Hi:
effort WIS attentively listened TO and ire
quently applauded, and adds another one
to the many eloquent eulogles that have
been pronounced upon the late Senator
Sumner, for whom nation mourns.
Before the audience retired, the follow
. | ing resolutions were read and adopted by
| the Sumner Literary Debating Society:
+ WHEREAS, It mas pleased rhe Alni ghty
| Disposer of events TO remove from III
: Americas distinguished scholar and states
r man, and humanity's true fTiend-Char!es
, Sumner; and
8 Whereas, We deeply feel that the nat tioI
and an oppressed race have suffered al
r irreparable loss in the death of one who, b,
I his untiring efforts and unceasing labor
p | for the cause OF freedom, equality and JUS
tice, has endeared himself to the heart 0
every loyal man n the country, and mos
| especially TO us; therefore oe il
Hesolted. That We, Luempers Of the ) um
Y ner Literary Society. ple0ge ourselves Il
=, | cherish foreve: .he memory OF the te
:. parted: that as -okeD Of our gratitude Il
1 the lie long friend of humanity. our soc let,
f shall always bear his honored name; tina
. the New Orleans REPUBLICAN and a.
, | friendly papers are respectfully requested
: to copy these preamble and resolutions
A vote of thanks TO the orator OF It
evening was also adopted.