to Mr.
Sumner the highest degree of satisfaction that it was possible for him
to realize. Above all things else of a public nature, he cherished
the good name of the commonwealth, and for himself there was nothing
more precious than her approval. The blow was unexpected, its weight
was great, and its weight was never lessened until it was wholly
removed. The rescinding resolutions came to me the Saturday next
preceding the Wednesday when Mr. Sumner died. I was then in ill
health, so ill that my attendance at the Senate did not exceed one
half of each day's session through many weeks. Mr. Sumner called upon
me to inquire, and anxious to know, whether I could attend the session
of Monday and present the resolutions. I gave him the best assurance
that my condition permitted. When the resolutions had been presented,
and when I was leaving the chamber, Mr. Sumner came to me, and, putting
his arm over my shoulder, he walked with me into the lobby, where,
after many thanks by him, and with good wishes for my health, we
parted, without a thought by me that he had not before him many years
of rugged life. For several years previous to 1874, Mr. Sumner had
been accustomed to speak of himself as an old man, and on more than one
occasion he spoke of life as a burden. To these utterances I gave but
little heed.

The chief assurance for any considerable well-doing in the world is to
be found in good purposes and in fixedness of purpose when a purpose
has been formed. These characteristics were Mr. Sumner's possession,
but in him they were subject to very important limitations as powers in
practical affairs. He did not exhibit respect or deference for the
opinions of others even when the parties were upon a plane of equality,
as is the usual situation in legislative bodies. He could not concede
small points for the sake of a great result. Hence it was that
measures in which he had an interest took on a form at the end that
was not agreeable to him. Hence it is that he has left only one piece
of legislation that is distinctly the work of his hand. When the bill
was under consideration which denied to colored persons the privilege
of naturalization in the United States, he secured an amendment by
which the exclusion was limited to the Mongolian race. His
declaration as to the status of the States that had been in rebellion
was not far away from the policy that was adopted finally, but he did
not accept as wise and neces