History deals with Benedict Arnold, with Aaron Burr, with the evil counsellors of Charles I. and Charles II., with Robespierre, with Barere and with Catiline, upon their merits, and draws from their lives examples, or warnings, without considering the fact that they are dead.
Hoar reflects on how history evaluates controversial figures based on their actions, regardless of their death.
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You said the people of Lowell would not think very highly of me when they saw me riding through the streets in my carriage and knew it was paid for by the money of this bank.
He proceeded to attack, to promote his own ambitions, the fair name and fame of the Commonwealth itself.
His life, so far as he took part in political affairs, was devoted to objects wholly public, never personal.
However any political antagonist might dislike him, every antagonist must respect him, and nobody could laugh at him.
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