Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-05-30

When fragrant outrage has been com
mittcd in the legislative halls of the nation,
the people naturally look to see what action
is taken thereon by those who represent them
there. On the 22d day of May inst,
United States Senator was in q most coward
ly and savage manner struck down in the
Senate Chamber by member of the House
OF Representatives, in the presence of many
Senators and other witnesses. If there was
not an actual intent to murder him, there
was that done which the rullan who COM
mitted the deed, and whoever with him
planned it, knew well might produce the
death of their unforewarned and unsuspcct-
ing victim. That 1t did not kill him on the
spot is wonder to all. What then has been
done, in either body, respecting this great
ofense against personal rights and against the
constitutional rights of members of Congress
In the Senate, the next day Senator
Wilson of Massachusetts,, in brief and fitting
terms. from his place, stated the reason why
his colleague was absent from his scat. In
no angry terms he referred to the act where
| by the floor of the Senate Chamber had been
stained with the blood of Senator from the
blows inflicted upon him while seated at his
desk by Mr.. Preston s. Brooks, member Of
| Congress from South Carolina, and concluded
| as follows
To assai member of the Senate, for words
spoken in debate, out of this chamber, is grave
| offence, not only against the rights Of a member,
he nj ,ft h,v
but, sir, to come into this chamber and assault
member in his seat until he falls exhausted upon
this floor, is offence requiring the prompt action
OF this body. Sir, submit no motion. ! leave it
TO older Senators whose character and position in
the Senate and before the country cmucntly fit
them to take the lead in measures to redress the
wrongs Of members of this body, and yudcate the
honor and dignity of the Senate.
Was not some one of that large ma iority
in the Senate politically opposed to Mr.. Sum
ner ready in a moment to make a motion
proper to the occasion Not one. For
aught they had to say the occurrence was too
| trivial to deserve n notice After pause,
| Mr.. Seward of New York submitted a reso-
luton that " committee Of five members be
| appointed by the President pro tenn to inquire
into the circumstances attending the assault
| committed on the person of Hon. Charles
Sumner, member of the Senate in the
Senate Chamber yesterday and that said
| committee be instructed to report IL state
ment of the facts with their opinion thereon
to the Senate But, there was a possibility
that the President pro tenn, might appoint
the mover of the resolution, or some
personal or political friend Of Mr., Sumner on
that committee. So, on the suggestion of Mr.
Mason of Va, the resolution was amended
so the committee should he appointed by the
Senate,-and Messrs. Pearce, Gcyer, Allen
Dodge and Cass were elected, ercry one ~
than political opponents Of Mr.. Sumner ; We
do not mean by showing this, to PREJUDICE
their report but the uniairness of the course
pursued in making up the committee must
strike every one with great force. Des-
potism never comedies anything to its oppo.
| ncnts.
In the House, Mr.. Campbell of Ohio, offered
resolution providing for committee of in
vcstigaton, which was passed through under
the operation of the previous question,
against the opposition of Clingman, Lctcher
and other prominent southern admin stration
men. S'ny dght members Of the House
were found INSCRIPTIONS enough to vote
against any inquiry into so gross violation
Of law, decency and the privileges of the
Senate, by one of their number. Of these
sixty eight, seren were northern supporters VI
the administration, viz: Allen of H.; Florence
of Pa HerJert of California, Got course Mr.
Herbert stands by Mr.. Brooks); Kelley Of
n. Y; Miller of Ind, Marshall and Richard
son Of Illinois. The rest are southern demo-
Gratis and know nothings. OF the ninety
three who voted for the investigation, but
three, Bennett of n. Y, Fuller OF Me-, and
Wells of Wis. are administration men, The
rest are Republicans and Northern Amcri-
cans. All this shows one thing. THE pro-
Sldrcry administration party sustain rufdh-
ism in Congress, as well as in Kansas After
SO clear an enunciation Of this point in its
creed will the country sustain the Admins
tration party
What the House will finally do remains to
be seen. We fear that the two thirds vote
necessary to expcl Brooks will not be OBJ
tanned, but he MAY be censurcd.