New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1874-05-07
EulOgy Oh Charles S.lslncr, by
Hon. j. Il. Ralncy. In the House
Of Representatives..

Mr.. Speaker, not long since we were
called upon to lay aside our accustomed
duties Of legislation to participate in the
mOurnlul procession that signalized the de-
parture of the distinguished statesman and
philanthropist who has been summoned be-
fore the bar Of our final Judge. We have
again halted to pay further tribute to his
memory and intrinsic worth.
The announcement of the death of Charles
Sumner, late Senator from the State of Mas
sachusetts, sent a thrill of sorrow and cast a
shade of melancholy gloom over this country
more r"rvadng in its general effects than
any similar event since the assassination of
the lamented Lincoln. Language such as |
have at my command is too imperfect and
feeble to convey in adequate terms the high
estimation in which he was held, or to ex-
press fully and feelingly the depth of grief
his demise has Occasioned. Men and women
mourn his loss and shed the tear of regretlul
sadness, not only in large cities and the pa
latial dwellings occupied by the learned and
wealthy, but in villages and hamiets, upon
farms and the distant plantations of the
South into the cabins of the unlettcrcd and
the lOwly bereavement found its way, bowling
the hearts of all in mournfu lamcntation for
this irTeparablc loss. Mr.. Sumner, in name
| and deeds, is known, ,. rcvered, and esteemed
by all classes of our people. The remarka.
bic and noble battles of argument and clo-
quence which he has fought in the Senate i'm
behalf of the oppressed have enshrined him
in the hearts of his countrymen millions of
| whom never bched his majestic form, nor
heard his deep and impressive voice-that
voice which at no time INDUCED silence when
the cause of the downtroddcn and the en-
shaved was the issue.
Early in life Mr.. Sumner cspouscd the cause
of those who were not able to speak for
| themselves, and whose bondage made it
| hazardous for any one else to venture word
| in their behalf. No one knew the danger
and magnitude of such an undertaking better
than the deceased. Public sentiment at that
time was opposed to his course ostracism
confronted him; friends forsook him i; but
undaunted and full of courage he pursued the
right, sustained his convictions, and lived
long enough to sec the fruition of his earnest
labors. lie was among the first to arouse
the Commonwealth of his beloved Massa-
chusctts to consider the justice and equity
of mixed schools. The blows he gave were
eflectual; the separating walls could not
withstand them they consequently tottcred
and fell. The doors of the schOol-houses
flew open to all prejudice was well-nigh
consumed by the blaze of his ardent elo-
quence, and prescription gave way to more
liberal views. 1t was upon his motion that
| the cOlOred man was admitted to practice
before the Supreme Court Of the United
| States.
These remarks are made to show that the
cause of my race was always foremost in his
mind indeed, he was a friend who in many
| instances stuck closer than brother. He
was one of those who never slumbered upon
his lance, but stood ever watchful for the
opportunity to hurl the shaft of his forensic
powers against the institution of slavery.
The forum, the platform, and the legislative
hall bear equal testimony to his untiring zeal
and determined opposition thereto.
The barbaritics and atrocities of slavery
through the aid ofhis giant mind were brought
to the attention of the American people and
tho world in a manner and style hitherto
unknown. He was Gods chosen advocate
of freedom and denouncer of the crime of the
''pecular institution" which blurred the fair
record and threatened ultimately to destroy
the growing fame of his country. So attract
1 i've, instructive, and inviting was his mode
of argument, that even those who opposed