Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1856-05-31
< IOW ANDA:
5aturoan alor rrlnp, Alan 81. 1856.
THE ASSAULT ON SENATOR SUMMER.

THE ASSAULT ON SENATOR SUMMER
The unprovoked, cowardly and brutal at
tack upon Senator SUMNER, made in the Sen
ate chamber, an account of which we publish
elsewhere, is everywhere arousng public indig-
nation in the North. Even the miserable
dough-face tribe, so ready to excuse and palli-
ate the misdeeds of the nigger-drivers, have
not the audacity to attempt to justify the out
rage 1t will do much to awaken the Slum-
bering and apathetic masses of the North to
sense of the destiny toward which we are fast
Fastening, unless stop,is put to the arrogance
and usurpations of the Slaverypropagandists
The oStensible reason for this gross attack,
is in the late speech of Senator SUMNER, allud
ing to the State of South Carolina, and her
Senator, Judge BUTLER. We have carefully
examined the remarks Of Senator SUMNER and
can find nothing which can in the slightest de-
gree extenuate this assault .s-
The passage at arms with Judge DoUGLAs
was much more acrimonious, and yet he resor-
ted only to his Senatorial privilege to defend
himself.- Senator Mason did the same The
cutand thrust of debate was his bloodest wea-
pon. His sense of honor and respect for his
personal character, is, doubtless, just as high
as that Of Judge BUTLER or his bcliicose rcla-
tive.
We had understood, heretofore, that there
was provision of the Constitution designed to
protect members Of both Houses Of Congress-
from any responsibility for words spoken in
debate except to the House of which they are
members. But it seems this illustrious Mr.
Books has made the grand discovery that
Senators are to be amenable to him, if they re-
fer to Mr.. Butler in any way whatever Is
Judge BUTLER unable to cope with Mr.. SUMNER
in debate ? Was his augmentation and logic
too powerful for those of the successor of CAL
HoUN?
But, aside from all this, stripped Of the mere
tinselry of circumstances, affairs at Washington
seem to have reached that condition when it is
impossible for Northern member of Congress
to utter anything in either branch, which is un-
paatable to Southern sensibilitcS, without sub
jecting themselves to assaults of the most vio-
lent character. The rule is to be, for the fu-
ture, if Northern men cannot be met and over
come in argument, they must be subducd by
bludgeons. If they will not comply peaccably,
they must be made to comply by force with
the imperous acquisitions of Southern hauteur
and caprice. These SouthernerS are trying to
play the same high-handed game in Washing
ton upon our Northern Representatives, which
they have been practicing upon poor, weak
territory struggling into existence in the West
If the issue must come, we say let it come
Ii Southern insolence and bullyism is so ram
pant as to invade the sacred precincts of our
legislative halls, to find victims among Amcr-
can Senators to appeaSe its fury it is time that
they should learn that there is q North, that
will be mighty, powerful and united, if it is not
now. For years the South has reigned in
Washington with absolute sway. 1t has con-
troIled society, public amusemeHts, government
tai patronage in all its departments, and in
llueHceQ legislation. IL is time that It's SCcptrc
was broken and its domination destroyed This
single instance of utter disregard of all the pro-
prleties of life, as well as of constitutional pri-
ylege, will do more to shake its tvrannica
rule than any other occurrence since the muir
der of CILLEY. 1t is time its pride, its offensive
rampancy, its nsolence, hoary from unrestrain-
ed exercise ShOuld he suhdued
The outraged sentiment of the people, the
true sovereigns of the country, will not fail to
manifest itself and administer most powerful
rebuke to this hgh-handed and dastardly at
tempt, made in so cowardly and rutiianly a man
ner, to overawe public discussion in our Ma
tional Council Chambers.