Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1856-06-14
fFfom the twindsorl Vernon, Joansl.l
Lawicssuess iii high Places.
TIE LATE BRUTAL ASSAULT UPON
SENATOR SUMNER.

SENATOR SUMNER. f
I We have no disposition 10 multiply words
upon this painful, and every way, disgracefal
outrage and abuse. II is scarcely possible to
say much about such transaction, and main
tain good temper, without bridling ones rage
and just indignation 10 the point Of absoulots
apathy. The thing IS So much out of the ordi-
nary course of manly and honorable conduct, to
say nothing Of gentlemanly and Christian courte-
sy, that one might almost as well argue against
the introduction Of bul-6ghis, gladiaioral sports
or even The auto da ies of the Roman lnqusi-
lion, as to sit down grayely TO canvass the bear
ing Of such occurrences upon the na,ioPal char
acter. And il the thing could be, in any sense
regarded, as merely accidental, or occasional,
in It's occurrence, and one which is not likely
soon TO recur, il would no doubt be unwise to
dwell much upon il. Murders and assassina.
tions will always occur, more or less frequent
ly, in all times, and under all governments. =
But when before has il ever been known in a
civilized and Christian Republic, that these
brawls and buicheries and assassinations, were
ofalmosid daily occurrence, within the very walls
Of lis Capitol II would seem that il was time
for us TO look about and begin soberly to esii-
mate the value of such government. Yes We
must say, that such Things cannot iaii TO drive
the more s,aid and considerale into the serious
calculation Of the value of the government
The occasion Of the assault upon Mr. Sum
ner was confessedly retaliation for words
spoken In debate, matter Of pure privilege, in
all free governments. Il is a thing for which
no man can be called TO account, how much So
ever it may be abused, in any civil TRIBUNAL -
The assembly where the debate is held is the
only and fnal tribunal for the determination Of
questions Of abuse Of this privilege. Even the
bloody code Of honor has never deemed il con-
sisient with its own barbarous and sanguinary
dogmas, to attempt to regulate and prescribe
the limits Of this most indispensable privilege
oi free government. But the lawlessness Of
the Capitol is bringing the liberty Of fspeech in
debate, and Of the press too, to the tyrannical
and barbarous rule Of mere brute force Twice
in the last lew months, has this been openly
and unblushinsly attempted by members or the
Congress of the United States, either absolute
ly within the walls, or in the very purlieus Of
the national Capitol. When did tie like or any
thing similar, ever occur before, in any free
country When did ilever occur in any Chris
lian or civilized country Nay, when did il
ever occur in any country under any govern
ment, barbarous or civilized! And is il not
time. high time, for sober men, 10 begin to cal
enae the value Of such governments
The truth is we have no government There
is no protection, no sure protection, for life,
liberty, property and happiness, in such bru-
tai, barbarous, bloody, uuciyilized and unchris-
lian mode Of administering the forms OF a gov
or in fiat kaa H..
king of Lydia said to Solon, ofhis famous Alhe-
nan code, spiders web, to catch feeble flies,
aud 10 be broken through, and trampled under
foot, by the stronger!
Now it is probably not iruo, that Mr.. Sum
ner oven abused his privilege of debate. For
il 80, the persons maligned would have been
content to trust the matter with public opinion,
which is sure 10 afford speedy correction Of
mere abuse, aud disastrous recoil is sure 10 fol-
low This Senator Butler and his rcdoutabe
nephew, the Hon. Mr. Brooks, know, as well
as any body else. They arc not simple men,
whatever else we may think Of them. They
understand perfectly well, that falsehood and
slander are shorlliyed every where. Aye, but
truth, and such truth. as Senator Sumner heap
ed upon the devoted head of Senator Butler,
such truth cannot be answered or put down -
One may assault and bruise and beat, even to
death, the utlerer Of such truth. But il will
rise again, and these men feel that, and il is a
feeling Of such awful distress and agony, that
they can find no relief, but in murder and assas-
sipation
= These men hayc been so long accustomed 10
trample under foot, all law, human and divine,
and to siie the voice Of complaint, and to sirug-
gle the utterances Of sorrow, and suffering hu-
manity, that they will not brook either rebuke
or restraint There is no remedy, bu, in civ
i war, or separation II has already come to
the desperate, and speedy choice, between two