ture. They are eminently worthy of perusal by the rising generation. But above all, his life, in which those sentiments found their most consistent and best illustration, deserves to be studied for its example of unwavering devotion to duty. To do right, to serve mankind, to obey God, was the high purpose for which he wrought. Such a life, in the inspiration which it imparts, in the lessons which it teaches, must be an abiding and ever-widening power in the world. It is grandly practical. It shows the path of true success.

To friends who have kindly and greatly aided our work by letters of Mr. Sumner, and by various valuable information, we here express our grateful appreciation of their help.

The invaluable work of Vice-President Wilson, Rise and Fall of the Slave Power in America, has been consulted in preparing a portion of this volume.

J. C.

J. D. C.

INTRODUCTION.

THE people of the whole country realize, now, the loss they have sustained by the death of Senator Sumner. His place in the Senate cannot be filled from his native State, or any other.

While he lived, the people felt that there was one man in the national councils whose voice was ever ready in defence of the right, and in opposition to injustice or wrong. That voice is for

ever hushed.

The fame of the great statesman, orator, and philanthropist reaches all civilized lands; and all classes, here, desire to know his history from the beginning to the end of his life. This is not strange, when it is remembered that only two men exceeded his term of service in the Senate, and that neither of them held the position during a very eventful period in the history of the counvii

try, or made himself especially distinguished beyond his own immediate locality.

Few persons have used their opportunities for obtaining an education so faithfully as Mr. Sumner. Endowed by nature with great intellectual powers, possessing a genius for statesmanship and philanthropy of the first order, he early devoted himself to most diligent study of all matters relating to jurisprudence, international law, and the principles of government.

In the order of Providence he was kept from the first struggles of the party of freedom. He was preparing for the great work before him. When, therefore, he entered upon his career in the Senate, he was better fitted than any one of his associates to meet the tremendous responsibilities which soon pressed upon him.

He gave himself to the cause dear to him and to every lover of liberty, without the least reserve or hesitation. All private business was laid aside, that he might devote himself to the accomplishment of the object for which the people of his State sent him to the Senate.

The great political struggle in the legislature which resulted in his election had drawn the atten

tion of the country to him. Nor were the people long kept in ignorance of his purposes and power. His first great speech showed the depth of his moral convictions, and his determination to leave nothing undone to free the land from the blighting curse of slavery.

Thenceforth there was no cessation of hostility to him and his measures on the part of the upholders of that system. All their denunciations, however, had no effect upon him. He was one of the foremost of the noble band of statesmen who deemed all other questions subordinate while slavery existed.

Although its abolition was paramount with him, yet there never was a greater mistake than to suppose that he was not a practical man in matters pertaining to his office. He was familiar with the whole machinery of government, and knew how to accomplish an object in the shortest possible time. This was attested, again and again, by those having business before Congress or the departments, in which it was proper to ask his influence and co-operation.

But if a doubtful scheme or claim was to be carried through, he was the most impractical of

men. Professional lobbyists knew, well enough, that if a thing was right, he would favor it, but if questionable, no tactics, however skilful, would secure his support.

In all his long official life no one dared to impeach his integrity or question his motives. Entire devotion to duty, undeviating rectitude, and high moral convictions guided and controlled him.

The sudden termination of a life so intimately connected with the government, and so potent in its influence, makes impressive these traits, rarely found in the most distinguished statesmen of the world.

That a character so noble may be clearly brought before the masses, and especially before the young men who are soon to hold positions of honor and trust in the State and Nation, is the purpose of this volume.