, 1874-03-15

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| 10 the Editor Of The Chieaao 7r11ane:
SIR: Permit me to offer, through the columns
Of TIE TRIBUNE, ere the occasion which prompts
il has passed away, humble tribute to the
memory OF Americas great statesman, Charles
Sumner.
In the death OF Mr. Sumner, tue nation has
suffered an almost irrerarable loss Although
tue great work Of his life, the championship Of
the cause OF an oppressed portonof the human
race had been crowned with the rictor's wreath
OF laurel, he Tas yet great power for good in
the land, which is now so sadly in need of such
illustrious examples. Mr. Summer had tho true
nobility Of character. As q legislator, he
possessed that faith in tho ultimate tri-
umph Of the right, and, therefore, the
moral power, from which arises the patience to
endure the tauuts and scorns of to-day, in the
proud consciousness that tomorrow viil be the
hour Of supreme victory. These characteristics
are indicative Of tue genuine statesman, and by
their absence may VIC know the nrrant dema-
gogue and schemins politician. The latter lives
only for the present; convictions he has none;
and tbs IDEAS and actions arc formed and directed
to meet the varying currents Of popular opinion,
Ho is an init.tor,--a servile follower where
other aud pobler men hare led the WY.
Charles Sumner WIS conspicuous alnong those
present. ernsping principles whose ultimate tri-
umph will rebound TO the good Of humanity. IL
tho advocacy OF such PRINCIPLES, he calmly bore
the jecrs and rcproaches Of ignorance and preju-
dice, believing that tho time would surely come
when the American people would approve his ao-
tions,-t displaying moral herpsm akin to
tho Divine mind. HIS hope has been fulfilled 3
Nation weops IS his lifelcss remains arc borne to
tie tomb. Political aniuosity and sectional prejr-
dice are wen-nigh forgotten i'll the earnest desire
Ar EnfTo $f ~
noble man.
AIr. Hanry Watterson, in the Louisville Cour-
'e'-Jou'7aA with reserential feeling, says:
Fifteen years ago the ness that Charles Sumner WIS
rejoicing By the people Of tie South Ten years ago,
they would have hailed It as message from Heaven,
tsans g them M 'hat an enemy wss rsmoTed from TIE
fully, md their comment will be, He was a great
man he WAS an honest man and, az he {o.gavs Us,
40 have We long ago forgiven him.
Senator Sumner is gone, but his Influence still
remains. For this the country should be thank
fui; for to-day the men whose clIief designs are
personal 2HGrautilzement arc uppermoBt in the
hatiaual Councils Corruption is so prevalent
in high places that it scarcely deGns to wear the
mask OF hypocrisy y,-.le homage which Vice pays
to Virtue. ltwould seem thai public virtue is with
out just rewa1d that, tosecure political prefer
nent tits only necessary to become skilledin WIRE
pulling aud the adroit management Of caucuses,
tho curse Of our political system, When d
Butler can produce a reign Of terror over Massa-
o1usetts, ths State OF Puritan traditions, there is
great danger that the young men Of to-day, rho |
are soon to tako the reins Of government Will i
quite forget tho meaning Of that grand word. !
duty, in their mistaken adherence to Its autithe- |
s1s:-a tine-sarylng policy. l haya faith to |
believe. however, that this tendency to evil |
amoEg our public men will DO ol abort duration.
Political charlatans aTe only temporarily in the |
ascondency. i wavo OF Reform will ere long
sweep over the country, when the Nations
moral heroes will come to the front; thus learn +
ing and craftsmanship will resume thoir accus-
toned influence in the HILLS OF Legislation and |
the Executive Chair. As contribution to so
desirable result the enduring influence OF !
such 3 character al Mr. Summers is of priceless
worth. May The youth OF the present. ac:uaiel !
b!g nobla purposes and high resolves, emulate
bis more than Roman virtues, that they NAV
batter sct their part ia lfe's drama and thereby
contribute to the pc,petuity Of American ins.i-
tuuons. ". F. FoRD.