The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1856-07-31
RESIGNATION OF BROOKS.

We omitted last week to allude to the speech
of Mr.. Brooks, made to the House of Repre-
sentatives Immediately after the vote for his
expulsion. twas just such speech as might
have been expected from such man on such
an occasion. He evidently felt that he was a
person of mark, and was proud of the notoriety
which he has acquired by his assault on a Uni
ted States Senator. Like other persons who
acquire fame by similar deeds, and who make
farewell speeches to admiring audiences, there
was that happy blending of sentiment and swag-
ger in his effort, which never fails to call forth
the admiration and applause fcongenial spirits.
He appeared to think-in fact he boasted-
that the same good right arm which had felled
to the floor and nearly murdered an unarmed
Senator in his seat in position which utterly
disabled him, might, with another blow, have
produced revolution. Hear him:
"Sir, 1 cannot, on my oson account, assume
the responsibility, in the face of the American
people, of commencing line of conduct which
in my heart of hearts would result in subvert-
ing the foundations Of this Government, and in
drenching this Hall in blood. No act of mine,
and on my personal account, shall inaugurate
--->l-..:--, -. -, AZ O r~--l-~-,
to your own home, and hear the people of the
great North--and they are a great people
speak of me as a bad man, you will do me the
Justice to say that blow struck by me at
this time would be followed by revolution-and
this know. Applause and Kisses in the gal.
lery.
No one, after this, can doubt Mr.. Brooks's de-
votion to the peace and harmony of the Union,
or fail to feel grateful to him for Withholding
that fatal blow which would have precipitated
all the horrors of revolution We breathe
freer, as though great crisis has been passed
in safety The following is a precious ad-
mission;
"Mr. Brooks, (resuming.) fl desired to kill
the Senator, why did not l do it? You all
admit that had him in my power. Let me
tell the member from New Jersey that it
was expressly to avoid taking life that used
an ordinary cane, presented to me by friend
in Baltimore, nearly three months before its
application to the bare head of the Massachu-
sets Senator. I went to work very deliber-
ately, as am charged-and this is admitted-
and speculated somewhat as to whether should
employ a horsewhip or a cowhide but know
ing that the Senator was my superior in strength,
my hand and then-for l never attempt any
thing l do not perform-I might have been
compelled to do that which would have regret
ted the balance of my natural life."
1t is clear from this that Mr.. Brooks, hero as
he is, cannot boast like another gallant son of
the Palmetto State, (Pickens,) that he "was
born insensible to fear" On the contrary, he
seems fully to appreciate that opposite maxim,
which, if we mistake not, owes its paternity to
his friend Fallstaf, that Discretion is the
better part of valor." This admission of a pru-
dent regard for his health would also seem to
throw doubt on his assertion that the first blow
given Mr.. Summer was only "a tap" intended
"to put him on his guard" 1t is more proba-
BILE, in the agitation of the moment, with the
violent apprehension of having his cane wrested
from him, that he struck with all his might.