McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-12-18
woRMLEY AND SUMNER.
The Death Of the Former Recalls an Incident
Connected with the Funeral OF the
Great Statesman.

Great Statesman.
A Washington telegram to The So.
Paul Pioneer Press says: The funeral
If the late James Wormley in this city,
few days ago, furnished a very clear
Illustration of the remarkable change
made in the public opinion during the
past twenty-five years, and at the same
lime shows that true merit can no
longer be held down by race prejudices.
There was colored man who, by his
own force of character and innate quail
ties, rose from poverty and obscurity to
position where he commanded the re-
,pect and esteem of what is called the
higher or better class of the community;
whose obsequies were attended by men
distinguished in war as well as in
craftsmanship, and whose remains
were borne to the grave by the repre-
'entatives of the most prominent and
successful business men of this COM
nunity, regardless of color or previous
condition. Watching the mournful cor
tege which followed the remains of
this colored man to his grave, and no.
icing the proximity to the casket of
well-known and prominent white men,
was reminded of an incident in the
life of Mr.. Wormley which occurred
only ten years ago, when the remains
Of Charles Sumner were the occasion
Of a like mournful procession. Mr..
Sumner was a warm friend of Mr..
Wormley, and the latter was bound to
The Massachusetts senator by cords of
genuine affection. None grieved more
sincerely than Mr.. Wormley over Sum-
rer's death, and of all the mourners
who attended his funeral none shed
more genuine tears. During the lying
in state and the ceremonies at the
capitol, Wormley was ever present, and
his great affection led him to follow
the dead senator to Massachusetts that
he might witness the last offices of
sepulcher. The funeral arrangements
were in charge of a joint committee of
congress, of which Senator Anthony;
Of Rhode Island, was chairman, and j.
r. French, sergeant-at-arms of the
senate, was the marshal. The remains
were borne away on special train,
and Mr.. Wormley applied to Sergeant
alarms French for permission to ac-
company the funeral party. This re-
quest was made known to Senator An
thony by Mr.. French, and with all the
liberality and kindness of heart for
which that senator was noted he de-
INJURED. 1t would not do to permit a
colored man to join the congressional
party. Personally, Mr.. Anthony had
no objections, but the presence of Mr..
Wormley would cause bad feeling in
the party and excite unfavorable criti-
cism. Mr.. French pleaded in Mr..
Wormley's behalf and urged that the
strong bond of friendship which was
known to exist between Summer and
Wormley made it eminently proper
that the request should be granted.
finally Senator Anthony agreed that
Wormley might accompany the cortege
as caterer.
"You will be required" said An
thony, ''to supply some lunch. Have
Wormley furnish the lunch, and he can
90 to arrange and serve it,
Mr.. French's respects for Mr.. Worm
ley would not permit him to make
such proposition. Mr.. Wormley was
invited to accompany the remains to
Boston, and Mr.. French did not con-
tract with Wormley for the lunch.
Senator Anthony never knew that
James Wormley attended the congress
sional committee charged with the in
terment of Summers remains as a
mourner-perhaps the most sincere
mourner in the official party.