Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-05-31
TIE NEWS FROM kANSAS-ASSAULT ON
SENATOR SUMNER.

"
SENATOR SUMNER.
The st. Louis Republican of the 23d, which
10y the way, is strong Pro-Slavery paper, con-
tains news OF the actual breaking out of civil
war in Kansas, and quite naturally lays the blame
to the ''aboitionists," exonerating, a matter
of Course, the ''Border Ruians" and all others
who sympathise with that Journal in its advo-
cacy of the suppression of the Free State men by
the military forces Of the United States. 1t seems
That dispatch had been received AZ WeStport,
dated May Goth, which states:
As Mr. Cossrove and Mr. Brannsn, were on
their WAY to Franklin, Kansas Territory, from
Lacompton, they were hailed By party of alb
Otionlsts, who inquired who they were and where
they were going? On being answered. the COM
mander of the squad turned TO his men, and
asked their motto. Their reply was 'Sharp's ri
iies," ana they immediately brought the'r guns TO
bear upon MeSsrs. Cesgroye and Brannon Bran
non wounded in the arm, but Cosgroye sent
ball whiring through the brain Of their leader;
the balance fed.
An abolltoniSt was shot at B.antons bridge,
yesterday morning; the wound is mortal.
Mr.. Beaverton was pursue, several miles by
armed men, and oaly escaped by the speed of
his horse.
When the Lucas left Kansas, a report was cur
rent that the abolitionlsts preparing to evac
uate Lawrence, and had called upon Col. Sum
ner, in command 1T Fort LeayenwOrth, TO protect
their property. Kickapoo, Leaveaworth City,
Doniphan aud Atchison, were almost entirely de-
serted-the men, probably, have obcyed the call
of the Marshal to aid him at Lawrence.
The telegraph line is still out of order, and
get news in this way. The next arri-
val will furnish the denouement of the affair.
This may and may not be true, but we are
strongly of the opinion that if it is fact that
blood has been shed in Kansas, o:her parties are
to blame beside the '.Abolitionists,"' so caed.''
We hazard the assertion that Cosgrove and
Brannon were the aggresSors in other words
that the :.Abolitionists," $50 calcd.' did not
fire upon the 'Rufians'' until they deemed it nee
essary in sclf-defencc.
As to the Free State men cvaculting Lawrence,
Kickapoo, L,avenworth City, &C., ami calling
upon Col. Sumner to protect their property, that's
fudge we don't believe word of it. The Free
State men are all well armed, and VIC have eve
ry reason to believe that if an attempt is made BIZ
the Mssourans to modest them, they riH use
Sharp's rifles to some purpose. If, however, the
troops of the United States should interfere,
per order Of the President, the Free States men
will submit, and we consider that this will put
final termination to difficulties in Kansas. The
account from the Republican should be taken
with some grains of allowance. Later news will
corroborate or contradict it.
While matters are thus progressing in Kansas,
more diabolcal and damnable acts are being per-
petratcd in the Senate of the United States,
upon the worthy and sterling Senator from
Massachusetts SUMSER-a gentleman
who hitherto has been noted for the kindly bear
ing he has always exhibited towards his oppo-
ncnts while in debate. Mr.. Sumner had Just con-
cluded an able and searching speech on The Kun
sas question, and Immediately on the adjourn
ment of Congress, says the Geographic dispatch,
''Mr. Preston Brooks Of South Carolina, a men,
Der of tho lower House, entered the Senate Cham
Der, approached the seat of Mr.. Sumner, and
struck him powerful blow with Il cane, at the
same time accusing him Of libeins South Caro-
lima, and his srey-hared relative, Senator Butler
Mr.. Sumner fell from the effects of the blows
Brooks continued beating Mr.. Sumner recover
ed sufficiently to call for help, but no one inter-
fered, and Mr.. Brooks repeated the blows until
Mr.. Summer was deprived Of the pc wcr of speech
Some eyc-witncsses state that Mr.. Brooks struck
many fifty times on the head Of Mr.. Sum
ner. Mr.. S. sitting in an arm chair when
the assault was made. and had no opportunity to
defend himself after his assault. He was carried to
his rooms, but the extent of his in urics was not
ascertained. Various opinions on the subject are
expressed, many applauding and some denoun-
cling it as cowardly attempt to beat down free
dom of speech. Mr.. Brooks was complained of
and Justice Ilollinshead issued a warrant of ar
rest and required Brooks to give bail in the
amount Of $500 for his appearance tomorrow
morning. Mr.. Sumner has several severe but not
dangerous wounds on his head. The cane held
by Brooks shattered to pieces by the blows"
Let ''Border Rulliansm'' blush Southern chiv-
airy has reached its acme, and black guards and
bulics have entered the of the U. S. Sem
ate in order to gag free speech and override and
trample beneath their clovcn hoofs every right of
the North guaranteed to it by the Constitution of
the Union. 1t was but short time since that
ajournalist was assaulted by Southern rufian
without provocation; soon followed the death of n
waiter at the hand of Southern rutfian. and now
n member of the Senate has been wantonly at
tackled 10y Southern rutian, because he gave ut
terance to language that burned into the very
heart Of Slavery and sent the blood uuverinr
thro' its dying system. Truly what arc We COM
ing to Look to England DO such things occur
there Look to Russia Do such things occur
there? And vet in this enlightened age this boast
cd land Of Freedom this paradise of Justice!
here, in the very halls of the highest political |
power of America IA Senator is struck down
brutally, wantonly. maliciously, cowardly struck |
down, because ne had the manhood AMI the cour-
age to stand up boldly before the ranks of the
Slavery propagaudists, and hurl words of fire
into their very teeth. What are we coming to
Must Senator's carry into the Senate Chamber
Sharp's rifles or Colts rcvolvers in order to pro-
tect themselves from the assaults of usurpers
and dctatorSl Must % 100000 of free men ig-
neby bend their backs TO the whips and the canes Of
300 900 shareholders? Must every northern pen and
tongue be palsied at the mandate of Ruffian
Brooks of South Carolnl? Must Massachu-
settle make no effort to defend her favorite son
and shall we of the North aud West. lick the
hand that gave the blow! God forbid. God
forbid that We should sink SO low as that Gsd
forbid that one drop Of blood the priceless inher
itance OF our fathers, should become so s.agnant
rs not to arouse US to Of right and to re.
sent this un ustifable attack on one of Freedoms
traest champions. Well might the injured Sen