The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1885-05-13
abe Soldiers 8uooet.
Summers Last Day In the Senate.

A friend of humanity, his policy was
peace, and the settlement of disputes
between nations by arbitration instead
of by war was one of his fondest
dreams. Possessed of such benignant
sentiments, on December 2, 1872, he
introduced bill, which he requested to
have read in full for information" |
shall give ii here; for to carry it to the
desk was one of my first acts as page.
1t was as follows: A bill to regulate
the Army Register and the regimental
colors of the United States. Whereas,
the national amity and goodwill among
fellow-citzens can be assured only
through oblivion of past differences,
and it is contrary to the usage of civil
lied nations to perpetuate the memory
of civil war: Therefore, Be it enacted
by the senate and house of representa-
tives of the United States of America
in congress assembled, that the names
of battles with fellow-citizens shall not
be continued in the Army Register or
placed on the regimental colors of the
United States" The bill was ordered
to be printed, and that was the end of
its pilgrimage in congress. 1t never
became law. But it was discussed
elsewhere! The legislature of Massa-
chusetts heard of it with deepest indig-
nation. The act of Senator Sumner
was stigmatized as can attempt to de-
grade the loyal soldiery of the Union
and their grand achievements" and a
resolution of censure was introduced
and passed by the legislature of the
state which had made him its senator.
The resolution of censure was an in JUS
tice, which would have provoked some
men to wrath. But with Mr.. Sumner
it occasioned not anger, but grief. He
had served his state for more than
twenty years; and it had stood proudly
by him in all his efforts. That it
should now, after his long and faithful
career, misinterpret his motives, and
seem to brand him with reproach, was
sustained. His manner betrayed how
it bore upon his mind. Yet when De-
cember again appeared the senator was
again found at his seat on the opening
day, this time to introduce his famous
civil rights bill-the first bill of the ses-
sion. But, as the days slipped by, his
face was less frequently seen in the
senate. December, January, February
passed-his visits were few and brief.
On the 10th of March, however, he was
in attendance. / remember it well.
had not seen him for quite a while, and
he called me to his desk. / thought he
looked more cheerful than usual, and l
asked after his health. As he whitfield
pen, he smiingly chatted with me,
and stated that he had come to the SEN
ate to hear pleasant news. He had
scarcely made the remark when Sena-
tor Boutwell,, his colleague, arose and
sent up to the clerks desk to be read a
resolution of the Massachusetts legisla-
ture. AS the clerk proceeded, all eyes
turned upon Senator Sumner, who was
eagerly listening. 1t was resolution
resembling the vote of censure! Within
few moments after the reading, the
senator left the chamber, and, as l
parted from him at the door, he shook
hands kindly, and said, Good-byen'
Those were his last words to me. The
next day he was dead! Edmund Alton
IN st. Nicholas for May.