Franklin's paper the statesman., 1911-01-14
THE STATESMAN. DENVER. COLORADO.

mirers; poem by i1rs. f. j: GrimKe
was read by Miss Mary P. BurrilI,
Washington's leading elocutionist.
Charles Summer Post, G. A. R.. occu-
pied reserved seats in front. Members
Of the academy were seated on the
platform.
A notable address was delivered by
Justice Wendell Phillips Stafford, who
has not allowed the narrow atmos
phere of Washington to stife the spirit
of freedom brought by him from New
England. The remarks by Professor
Kelly Miller, native of South Caro-
lima. the state which sent Brooks TO
congress. were indeed thrilling, but
the principal address by the president,
Archibald W. Grimke, was fine trib-
ute TO great American.
He said in part:
Negro citizenship and suffrage he cham
pioned not TO save the political power OF
his party and section, but as a duty which
the republic owes 10 the weakest OF her
children because of their weakness Equal
ity before the law is. in fact, the only ad-
equate defense that poverty has against
property In modern civilized society. We'll
did Sumner understand this truth. Well
did he understand that wrong has a fatal
gift of metamorphosis-i e. the ability TO
change its form without losing Its iden-
tiiy. IL had shed in America Negro slav-
cry. II would reappear as Negro serfdom
unless placed in the way OF utter distinc-
ton He toiled. therefore. in the senate
and on the platform to make equality be-
fore the law the master principle in the
social and political system of the nation.
As his years increased so increased his
passion for Justice and equality. lie was
never weary of sowing and resolving the
laws Of the nation and the mind of the
people with the grand ideas OF the Decla-
ration Of Independence. His entire alb
sorption in one lofty purpose lent to him
n singular alcofness and ISOLATION in the
politics of the times He was not like
other political leaders. He laid stress on
the ethical side OF craftsmanship. They
emphasized the economical He was chief
ly concerned about the rights of persons;
they about the rights Of property. Such
great soul could not be a partisan.
Party with him was an instrument to
advance his ideas and nothing more. As
long as IL proved efficient. subseryicnt TO
righte he gave 1t his hearty support. II
was therefore a forefone conclusion that
Sumner and his party should quarrel. The
military and personal character OF Gen
cral Grants FIRST administration furnished
the casus beli These two great men had
no reciprocal appreciation tho une for the
other. Sumner was honest In his belief
that Grant knew nothing but War. and
quite as homes, was Grant tAat Simmer
had done nothing but talk The breach
in consequence widened between t.. lat
ter and his party. FOR it naturally enough
espouSed the cause Of the president.
Summers imposing figure grew more
distant and companionless Dcm,cf.c un-
happiness. too. was eating into h's proud
heart. His health began to decline The
irnmcdicable injury which his constitution
hf-t sustained from the assault, of Brooks
dc, eloped fresh complications and renew
cd all the old bodily sufferinss Alone IN
this extremity. he trod the wine press OF
sorrow nnd sufferins He had no longer
a party 10 lean upon nor a state TO sup
port him nor any woman's hand 10 adj
minister 10 him In the crisis OF his need
He had now nothing but his cause. and
to this he chung with the pathos and the
passion Of grand and solitary spirit.
Like as mother about to lie fixes
he- c:~s on darli.- child. so we're his
thoughts fixed on the struggling cause Of
human brotherhood AMI equality.