Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-07-28

u
which my friends reduced to writing, that
there might be no misunderstanding. But in
asmuch as attempts, not altogether unsuccess-
ful, have been made to prevent its true mean
ing, now withdraw it. And, that there may
not DO any Misrepresentation in the future,
say, explicitly, that leave my speech to in
terpret itself, and hold myself responsible for
1t, without qualification or amendment
So A. BURLINGAxE.
WASHINGTON, July 10, 1856.
On the same day I received note from Mr..
Brooks, which will be found elsewhere, from
the hands of Gen Lane From this point the
history of my connection with the transaction
is most clearly and truly stated by my es-
teemed and gallant friend, the Hon. Lewis D.
Campbell. His statement append hereto.
Of the conduct of Mr.. Brooks in this affair
l can scarcely trust myself to write. 1 owe
it to truth to say that from what had heard
and seen of him prior to his assault on Mr..
Sumner had formed high opinion Of him,
and that act, which have properly charac-
terized, did think must have been abhorrent
to his better nature In remembrance of my
opinions of him. and feeling that through his
misconduct could still detect traces of gal
lantry which some day might cause him to
condemn as heartily as others do his assault
than had most Of my friends. Indeed, have
been blamed for intimating the opinion that,
in spite of that act, he was yet brave man.
Even as late as in my conversation with Gen.
Lane, when he stated that Mr.. Brooks de-
sired q speedy meeting, l felt glow of admi.
ration for him as gallant foeman. But was
wrong. The expressions Of kindness for him,
in which, following proclivity of my heart,
l had INDUCED, were entirely misplaced. Out
of regard for his feelings inasmuch as 10
was SO tender Of mine, I will abstain from any
further expression of my opinion, but leave
men of honor to determine his position in
view of his own conduct.
In response to his numerous insinuations,
let him take my scorn. Why did he linger in
the district, where he was exposed to arrest
The intimation that my friends arrested him
is unworthy even of him. 1 do not know the
man who did it The dearest friends had
could get no clue from me Of the affair. 1
thought Mr. Brooks was in earnest, and pre-
pared myself to meet him sternly and without
fail If he was afraid to 60 to Canada, the
nearest neutral ground, why did he not name
some other place? Was l not equally with
himself exposed to the hazard of foreign ju.
risdiction? He could have reached the place
Of meeting in few hours, keeping most of
the way in the States of Pennsylvania and
Maryland. But this he deemed " an enemys
country" Where is friends country for
me! Is it here where my comrades are smit-
ten down without warning here, where, to
make the defence of free speech effectu al /,
against my early teachings and the deep-root-
ed sentiments Of my people, have been driven,
that L might secure little fair play and an
approach to an equal chance, to consent to 60
to the field even with Mr.. Brooks! think
Mr.. Brooks should not have based so many
anticipatiOns of danger to himself on the pos.
sibilty of my falling. 1 have not heard that
any body who had fair play ever fell before
that arm whose single blow in the House its
owner thought would have brought on revo-
luton. 1t would have been happy circum-
stance for me had shown half as much re-
gard for my reputation as our gallant
friend did for his life then my name would
not have been linked with one whose adrsit-
ness in getting out Of difficulty is only equalled
by his sbrewdness in securing from an unsus-
pecting man what he tried to construe into an
endorsement of his courage. L can endorse it
no longer, and now give him full notice.
1t is kind of Mr.. Brooks to hand nae over
to the reprobation of men, and then to propose
to admit me to the position of a gentleman,
provided will challenge him. He seems to
have forgotten how in his card he had Just
stated that it was said Of me that g would
not.send but would accept challenge" If
l cannot hereafter praise the gentieman's
courage L can commend his prudence This
is revealed to us in the fact that without seek.
ing another place of meeting he rushes into
triumph In the shame L feel at the conduct of
my antagonist As if suspecting that might
change the place, he closes the door against it
by stating that he should have no further
demands upon me.'
now dismiss, as far as can, the ex mem
Der from South Carolina from my mind Self
respect requires me to say that can never
again recognise-save to do him kindness if
in my power-Preston S. Brooks hand him
over to the public, North and South, which is
ever scornful of those who boast much and
perform little
And now 1 humbly submit myself to the
people whose convictions I fear have wound
ed. L pray them to remember that forgive.
ness is higher quality than justice I cast
myself on their generous hearts, which are al
ways tender and always loving Let them not
forget, when passing On my conduct, the sneers
1 nave seen and the taunts l have heard !;
how the old State we all love has been insult.
ed and her cherished Senator stricken down,
and how he yet fingers in almost hopeless i'll.
ness. As those of my own State remember
these things they will not entirely blame me
because, in moment of Indignation, I was
willing to put my life at hazard, and what is
dearer than life reputation, for the insulted
honor OF those who have always been kind to
me L am no duellist. L seek no mans life
L have but acted in the spirit of the speech I
made when said that if pushed too long and
too far there were men in the Old Bay State
who would defend her honor and the freedom
Of speech on whatever field they might be as.
sailed My course became to me defence of
liberty against slavery, struggle for freedom
OF speech against freedom Of the bludgeon,
and the only way almost which seemed left us
here by which we can defend ourselves.
A. BURLINGAME,
Want OF space to-day compels US to post.
pone the publication of the card or communi-
cation Of Mr.. L d. Campbell, accompanying
that of Mr.. Burlingame.
Naval The Navy Department has advices
that the U s. sloop- of-war Levant, Comman.
der VIM. Smith, arrived at Hong Kong on the
18th of May, 1855, in ninety eight days from
the Cape Of Good Hope, passing through the
Straits Of Sunda and the China Sea She
sailed from New York, on the 18th of last No.