A warrior king depends for his reputation on the vulgar crowd, and must address himself to prejudice and ignorance to obtain the applause of a day, which the pen of the philosopher, the page of the historian, often annul, even before death comes to enshroud the mortal faculties in the nothingness from which they came.
In this passage, Sumner contrasts the fleeting applause of the masses with the enduring judgment of historians and philosophers.
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More from Charles Sumner
Sovereignty of, belongs to the people, XVI. 28.
Contrary to Christianity, but upheld by the Church, I. 54, 58.
Slave Power, necessity of political action against the, II. 207.
Working-men of Europe, desire abolition of war, XVIII. 236.
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