Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and letters of Charles Sumner: volume 3

[11]

Chapter 30: addresses before colleges and lyceums.—active interest in reforms.—friendships.—personal life.—1845-1850.

In the midst of the applause and criticism which followed his Fourth of July oration, Sumner was called to mourn the death of his beloved teacher and friend, Judge Story. He prepared, in connection with Hillard, the resolutions which Mr. Webster presented at the meeting of the Suffolk bar, held in Boston, in recognition of the event,¹ and was placed on the committee appointed to consider and determine some proper tribute of respect to the deceased.² He was present at the private funeral, which took place at the house of his friend, and joined with the kindred in following the remains to Mount Auburn. There he lingered, standing by the fresh grave, or by the graves of the Judge's and his own friends, till the evening bell gave warning that the gate was to be closed. Death had set its seal on a friendship in which neither had aught to regret or forgive. The same evening, as he returned from the cemetery, Sumner began his ‘Tribute of Friendship’ to Judge Story, which he gave to the printer three days later.³ It is a noble commemoration of Story as judge, author, and teacher, tender in tone and fully appreciative of his character and labors. It was perhaps well that death should sever the relation at this point of time; for Judge Story, with his conservative temperament and associations, could not be expected to take kindly to the career now opening before his pupil, which was so unlike the promise of earlier years.

It had been Judge Story's desire that Sumner should take his place as professor in the Law School. This had been his thought