Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-06-13
The ProVocation.

TO look upon the attack upon Senator
Sumner as anything else than most gross
and wanton outrage, yet attempt to pal
late the guilt of the scoundrel Brooks
by "the great prevocation" which Mr.
Sumner had given him. Now we do no
hesitate to assert emphatically that nc
provocation whatever could justify OF
palliate such an assault. 1t was an attack
on an unarmed man, fettered by his po-
sition, without giving him any warning.
In the days of genuine chivalry the knight
who shall attack an adversary without
saying to him "draw and defend your
self" would have been forever disgraced.
And even among the most debased shout
de-hitters of the Five Points, there is
none who would not be ashamed to "pitch
into" an opponent without warning him,
"look out for me, I'm coming" 1t was
reserved for chivalrous representative
from South Carolina to make an assault
with a deadly weapon, and take his adj
versary by surprise. The attack was a
brutal attack, for the victim was beaten
numerically, while disabled and insensi-
bic. 1t was murderous, for man of only
ordinary constitution would not have sur
vived it. 1t was a violation of the Con-
stitution ofthe United States, which guar
antees to every member of Congress the
freedom of debate, without the liability
to be called in question for it. For such
an attack no provocation can be an ex-
euse.
But there was in truth no provocation
at all. Mr.. Summers speech was severe
tits true, severe to the very last degree.
1t has had no superior in severity since
Webster annihilated Hayne. But it was
not provocation to any one. 1t was O
retort to almostinnumerable provocations
that have been harped upon him. Ever
since he has been in the Senate he ha:
been the object of the most unsparine
abuse, the most foul-mouthed insolenee
the grossest vituperation. Himself neve1
violating the courtesies of debate, none
Of those courtesies have been observed
towards him. He has been interrupted,
insulted, questioned, abused in every way
that malicious ingenuity could devise
The English language has been ransack-
cd for words of blackguardism with
which to assail him.
AT the close of Mr.. Summers speech
on the civil and diplomatic bill, Clemen,
Of Alabama rose and said
81 rise to express the hope that none
of my friends would make any reply t.
the speech which the Senator from Mass
achusetts has seen fit to infict on the
Senate. l shall not do so myself; bu
others may differ with me in opinion as
to the propriety of this course. I shall
only say, Sir, that the rawlings of a man.
lac may sometimes be dangerous, but the
barking of a puppy nevsrdid any harm
During the debate on the Nebrasks
bill, Douglas assailed him with a TRADE
of the most violent abuse. He callec
him Senator Chase's confederate in sian.
der and accused him of dishonorabl,
and corrupt conduct in procuring hi
election. This was the language he
used.
81 must be permitted to remind him O
what he certainly never can forget, tina
when he arrived here to take his seat fol
the first time, so firmly were Senator:
impressed with the conviction that he haG
been elected by dishonorable and corrupt
means, there were very few who, for {
long time, would deem it consistent with
personal honor to hold personal inter
course with him. So general was tina
impression that for a long time he wa.
avoided and Stunned as person unwor
thy of the association of gentlemen"
Mason of Virginia also pitched int
him as follows:
81 say, Sir, the dignity of the Ameri
can Senate has been rudely, wantonly
grossly assailed by Senator from Mass
achusetts, and not only the dignity ofthe
Senate but the whole people trihed with
IN the presence of the American Senate
either ignorantly or corruptly-I DOM
know which, nor do / care.
The Senator from Massachusetts in
the use of such vulgar language here
betrays the vulgarity of his associates Al
home; and shall it be tolerated here IN
the American Senate? Why, Sir. am ]
speaking to a fanatic, to one whose rea.
son is dethroned? Can such an one ex.
Pect to make an impression upon the
American people from his vapid, vulgar