Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-03-18

TrnMs-fAOl unf year, STRICTLY In ADVANCE or 10
" not paid within three months
--.
Charles sumner.
This distinguished gentleman aud Sena'
tor died suddenly, in Washington, on the
18th instant. He was in his seat in the
Senate Chamber the day before his death,
and seemed in bis usual health and spirits.
Late in the evening of that day he was
taken with agonizing pain in the region Of
his heart, and suffered with it, with but
slight alienation, till the hour of bis death,
at three o'clock in the afternoon Of the next
day. The announcement of his death ere
atcd profound impression in the House.
which Immediately adjourned. The Senate
had already adjourned on the intelligence
of his sickness, and in anticipation of his
speedy death lie died as such a man
might wish to die, 10 bis harness, and in
the full vigor of undecayed powers The dis
ease which terminated his life was ossi6ca-
ton Of the coronary arteries Of the heart.
Mr.. Sumner had been a member Of the
Senate for twcnty-three consecutive years.
He was elected to Gil the place so long &C.
cuped by Daniel Webster and briefly held
by Rufus Choate. lie came upon the stage
Of American politics in its stormiest period.
The old Wing party was trying in vain to
ride the tcmpostuous sea on a raft of loosely
constructed compromises The Southern
oligarchy had cut adrift from this party and
united itself to the fortunes Of the Democ.
racy. When he entered the Senate he
stood almost alone, and in the face of poit-
ical aud social ostracism, he denounced in
such language as finds no parallel save in
the fierce invectives Of the age Of Milton,
the infamy Of slavery and the wickedness
of its supporters. His nature, destitute Of
those kindly aud genial qualities which lent
SO great a charm to the splendid abilities Of
his predecessor, exasperated by the insults
to which he was constantly exposed, and the
brutal treatment which he received, became
the most merciess and terrible projectile
which was hurled against the power Of
slavery in the United States.
He lived TO see the institution which he
assailed with such relentless force, uprooted
and destroyed, the large majority of the
Senate his warm friends and adherents, and
the work to which be had consecrated him.
self, successful and triumphant. He died
when, by reason of those qualities which
had made him 80 effective 10 the days oil
controversy and excitement, he was unable
to WELD the influence, or assert the contro
which be had acquired.
And yet Mr.. Sumner seemed to softer
and ripen under the sunny skies Of thu
peace which be did so much to conquer
He became gentle toward those whom b,
had SO often assailed. His Kindness for tht
South separated him from his political as
sociates in tho late Presidential election
and drew upon his head the harmless light
ming OF legislative censure, lately and hap
PLY rescinded His old antagonists hav,
forgotten his ancient animosity in his recen
expressions Of considerable respect and affec
ton, and the whole country honors him il
his DEATH because his convictions have al
ways been stronger than his party aifiia
tioDs. Like the electric fluid, he was tn
devastating lightning aud the remorseles
thunderbolt while the storm ragged, but afte
it was over he subsidized into quiet AM
peaceful force of life and order and growth
Those who could not admire him In tn
terror of the storm, can honor him in th
gentle evening when, the destructive force
all spent, his sun went down in Tranquil
beauty. 1t was well that his life should b
rounded with few years of peace. Iii
fame will be greater than if he had perishe
in that day Of excitement and passion
when Lincoln, greater, nobler, wise
martyr than he, bowed his head to the la
missile Of slavery.