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pure in its personal qualities, so high in its public aims, so fortunate
in the fruition of noble effort, has closed safely before age had marred its intellectual vigor, before time had dimmed the lustre of its genius?
May it please your excellency: Our mission is completed.
We commit to you the body of Charles Sumner.
His undying fame the Muse of History has already taken in her keeping.
The body lay in state, attended by a guard of colored soldiers under
Major Lewis Gaul, and was visited by throngs of sad and tearful people.
On Friday afternoon, by a proclamation from the governor, both branches of the legislature assembled; and eloquent tributes were bestowed upon the departed statesman by
Pres. George B. Loring, and
Gen. N. P. Banks, of the Senate, and also by
Messrs. Phillips,
Codman, and
Sanger, of the
House.
While the funeral train was on its way, the sorrow of the citizens of
Boston found an expression in a crowded meeting, held in Faneuil Hall (draped for the occasion) at noon on Saturday, when very eloquent and eulogistic speeches were made by
Mayor S. C. Cobb,
Richard H. Dana, jun.,
A. H. Rice,
N. P. Banks,
William Gaston,
Rev. E. E. Hale, and
J. B. Smith, a noble, warm-hearted, and intimate friend of
Mr. Sumner.
In the course of his address, he with moving pathos said,--
