National Republican., 1876-01-15
sENAToR-ELEcr LAMAR AND HIS EULoGY
ON NIB SUMNER.

When MIR. L. Q. c. Lamar pronounced
his somewhat famous eulogy upon the late
Senator Sumner we were of the opinion
that his motives were far from being unset
fish, and that. in fact, he was pursuing the
characteristic policy OF the wolf in Sleeps
clothing which has rendered his name infa-
nous in American politics. This belief was
subsequently confirmed by information re-
ceived regarding the contents Of private
letter written by him at that time to one of
his constituents, in which he apolosized for
the euiogy, by explaining that he could
afford and would gladly eulogize any one
who lad proved TO be such prominent
and powerful opponent of the Adminlstra-
ton and personal enemy of President Grant
as he believed Mr.. Sumner to have been.
Subsequently, when he entered upon the
campaign for reelection TO the House, he
forgot his boastful declarations of peaceful
intentions, and the path by which he
reached the goni of his ambition was
marked with the blood of murdered Ameri
can citizens. AS one Of the Instigators
and acknowledged leaders Of that bloody
campaign. he was entitled to further pro-
motion at the hands of his White League
followers, and has received it in his recent
elcc;ion to be United States Senator. But
he iuUnd that it was necessary again to
explain the circumstances connected with
his Sumner eulogy. A private letter from
a reliable gentleman in Jackson received in
this city few days ago alludes to this last
explanation as follows
s'Thc Democracy are here in full force. The
telegraph, | know, has Informed you that
General George has been defeated for the
United States Senate. l know not what
means the oilytongucd Lamar used to effect
this. Strange to say, Lamar was nominated
by aCClamatiOn in the caucus. On the day
following he made speech in the Hall OF
Representatives, where all the beauty, fashion
and chivairY OF the State were gathered to
hear him. lie claimed in his speech that this
canvass could not have been made had he not,
through his Sumner eulogy, got the ear of the
North. lie claimed that Southern men could
not command any respect in the North on ac-
count of the hatred of those who had been en-
gagged in the late rebellion; that the death OF
the great Sumner offered chance for him,
through his death, holding, as he did, a high
place in the nations heart, to lay upon his
coffin the olive branch OF peace While the
hearts of the North were burdened with grief,
and their passions asleep in sorrow, it occurred
TO him that he might deliver a message OF
sympathy from the South, aud, at the same
time, establish her in the affections of the
North He cited the case of Lamartine ia
France as an excuse for his Sumner eRlogy,
who, while member of the Assembly, went
into a meeting Of the Commune and touched
the rcd flag. When upbraided by his fellow
Assemblymen, he said, yes, he touched it. but
it was like the lightning-rod touching the
black cloud to shield those within. Thus, you
see, he touched Summers coffin for the pur-
pose Of saving the South.
We call the particular attention of the
Northern admirers of this blood-stained
representative Of the Southern chivalry TO
this sketch of his latest speech. If they
find in it any evidence Of an honest desire
to cultivate fratcrnal relations between the
sections they will do more than We have
been able to do. On the contrary, they
will undoubtedly find in it the most con-
elusive proof that he WAS and still is dis
honest IN his professions OF friendship. His
policy, however, is the same that is being
pursued by other Southern Democratic
leaders, viz misleading the North by false
professions and obtaining power at home
by the most barbarouS and murdcrous
means.