New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-06-23


attack upon Senator Samner, referring to TIE e.
tive instrument In that affair a. Q member Of tie
House who had taken an cath to support the Co..
sttution Of the United States which Constitutes
guarantees freedom Of speech to Members Of Con.
gress, aud nsn-liability to 10 called to account sr
any thing which the rules Of their respective Houses
allow them to utter,-and who, in violation Of
this oath, and in disregard Of this constitutional
guarantee, stole into the Senate Chamber and them
smote Senator Sumner as "Cain smote bis brother.
At this point, Keitt, one Of the sccouplces Il
Brot Ks, broke in with the exclamation, at |,
false" Mr.. Burlipgsme declined to handy word,
with Brooks's bottle holder. He was responsible
for his own words, and he left Keitt to hear IL
responsibility Of his.
In general, we fully concur in the positions TAXA
BY Mr. BurlnRame, who made some very stzoss
points, especially on the subject of the Fugitive
law, as to which law he pointed out the c0ncideass
of opinion in Massachusetts, and South Carolina
that act being held unconstitutional BY high suthw
ty in both those States. But as to the point upsa
which be was interrupted BY Keitt, we must co.,
fess that Keitt very clearly had the right Of Tie
matter. Most persons will be apt to suppose, upa
q careless reading, that the Interruption Of Ksik
was made in the interett and to protect IL
character Of Brooks ~ Keih stood BY and aourishA
his budgeon to prevent the bystanders from inter.
feripp while Brooks assailed with reiterated
blows bis surprised, insensible and bleeding vie.
tim; it is a very natural supposition that Z
was some implication in Mr.. Buringsmes
speech to the disadvantage Of Brooks, ct which
Keitt took offtnse, and against which he protested
az false. Yet however nstural, this Is totally H.
correct view of the occasion and intention KeiKs
interruption, a., we doubt not, on little consideu
tiop, will become manifest to everybody Tns
Keitt had stroog interest to protec. the character
Of Brooks, whom he had aided and sbetsed in hh
cowardly and assassn-like attack; but great n
Keitt's interest may be in Brooks and his reputs
tiop bis interest 10 Cain and his reputation 10 much
greater. As the great father Of murdererA Csia
must naturally be looked up to by Ksitt with pw
found and solemn reverence; Brooks may be IL
brother, but Cain is bis patriarch; and considering
the injustice that Mr.. Burlinghame did to Cain b
90 inconsiderately putting him and Brooks On
level, Keitt, as leading Congressional repre'ca
tatve of the American branch OF Gains devotecl
might well be pardoned for certain degree Of eI
citability on the occasion.
There were, it is true, some pOiuts Of resen-
blance between the two cases of Cam and BROOKE |
It appears that Gains quarrel with Abel grew og |
of the fact that Abel made an Offering acceptable !
TO Heaven, in which quarter Cain and his offering |
found no respect at all. As to tho ground Of quar-
rel, we admit the analogy which Mr. Brlinsan
points out; but when it comes to the overt VI |
that analogy in great measure fails. Cain did ~
attack Abel at the altar Though be hated AbelH |
badly we dare say, as Brooks hated Mr. Sumna' |
still he had some regard for times and seasons, boy
ground. He invited Abel to walk in tho field VIII
him. and there il was that he smote him. He suee
him, it is true; but it ia not recorded that be tol
him unawares, or that he fell upon hici when M
position which disabled him from making ~
defense; nor do we resd anything Of any antedls
Wan Edmundson or Kett, with whom Cain Pre-
cst certed the murder, who warned him against
the danger of Abel's superior personal stenga-
who suggested to him to Offset that By surprise
and who skulked about armed VII
bludseons, to aid and assist, II necessary, and
keep others from coming to the rescue.
1t was, then, q gross piece Of ipjastice TO tk
, atriarch Cain to compare Brooches eondAct n
10. Ktitt was right in entering his energc&
rotest on the spot. The relationship bsswss
i'm and that patriarch was quite sufficient b
Justify his interference; and tho best thing tAs
Mr. Burlingame can do is to make, at the eariia
opportunity, an ample apology to Cain and al ~
descendants and admirers.