Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-07-02

setts choose to say that his conduct IS coward
ly, let her try him in any way she chooses. lap
plause.
Mr.. STUART. Ihope thes Chair will enforce
the rules think, sir, what we have just wit
messed has been repeated this session. too often.
If the amenities and 5proprieties of the Senate
cannot be kept by gentlemen. they should not
enter its Chamber.
The PRESIDENT pro tcmpore Does the Sena-
tor desire the galleries to be cleared?
Mr.. STUART. shall NOT make any motion
now: but hope it will be understood by every
body who visits this Chamber, that the propric-
ties of the place shall be observed.
Mr. PRESIDENT pro tempore Persons in the
galleries will distinctly understand that if there
be any further demonstration, the galleries will
Le cleared of all except ladies'.
Mr.. FEssENDEN. In justice to the galleries.
will suggest that the impression on this side of
the House is, that the disturbances came from the
floor of the Senate Chamber; and not from the
galleries. Ihopc the galleries will not be pun
shed for the act Of persons the floor.
Mr.. BUTLER. Well, sir, Twill 60 on in such a
way that nobody shall be disturbed-not that |
intend to suppress any single sentiment of mine ;
but shall express it in the,severity of truth. |
can tell the Senator from Maine, with whom
have always been on good terms, that shall
say nothing out Of the way.
Sir, man who occupies place in the Senate,
representing great Commonwealth like Massa-
chusetts or representing my State, rs one of her
Senators, occupies q very high position, from
which he can send forth to the public what may
affect the character Of almost any man, except
General Washington, or some ono upon whose
character the verdict of history has been reu.
dered There is scarcely any man who can with.
stand the slander which may be pronounced from
the Senate Chamber Of the United States. For
this reason would never look, and never have
looked, beyond the public position of member
here to go into his private and personal charac-
ter. would not do it, because by so doing
should do a wrong which could not redress.
Even word escaping myitongue in this Cham.
ber, as a Senator, might.go far to injure man
where he could not correctit. We are in a po-
siion which requires high considerations for the
regulation Of our conduct. Iagree thoroughly
with General Jackson, that the slanderer who
involves third persons in difficulty and danger,
is sn ncendiary, against whom we should guard
more than any one else, 10 parliamentary point
of view. will quote General Jackson's Ian
guage He said Over the doors of each House
Of Congress, in letters of$god, should be in
scribed the words. The Slanderer is worse than
the Murderer" single murder is horrible
1t may take single individual from society.
But when look at the mischeyous influence of
SANDER, find that it pervades whole commu-
nifty makes war in society,"; sets family against
family; individual against individual section
against section. 1t is the most cowardly mode
in which war can be conducted.
With the state of opinion to which have al
Iuded prevailing, what did Mr. Brooks do? Of
course he did not undertake to challenge Mr..
Sumner to fist fight, ora stick fight, or any
other kind of fight. He thought Mr.. Sumner de-
served castigaton and he undertook to give it
to him according to the old-fashioned notion, by
Gaming him. have not heard Mr. Brooks detail
the circumstances. 1-hayeinot conversed with
him in regard to the matter; / take my informa-
ton from the published testimony. Mr.. Brooks,
not finding him anywhere else, came to him
while he was sitting in his seat here, after the
Senate had adjourned, He came to him in front
different from the statement made to the Mas.
sachusets Legislature. He was half minute
in his proem or explanation. He said: d Mr..
Sumner, have read your speech. ! have read
it carefully, with rs much consideration and fair
ness as could; but sir, Ihave come to punisI,
YOU now for the contents of that speech, which
is libel on my State, and on gray-haired rel
ative."
Instinct would have prompted zmost men to
rise Immediately. Mr.. Sumner did rise. In the
net of rising, Mr.. Brooks struck him across the
facc-not, as has been represented, over his head
for that is not tho truth, nor is it borne out by
the testimony. On the second stroke The cane
broke. 1t is the misfortune Of Mr.. Brooks lo
have incurred all the epithets which have been
used in regard TO an assassin.lke and budgcon
attack, by the mere acci9nt of having n foolish
stick, which broke. 1t broke again; and it was
not, as understand, until it came very near the
handle, that he inflicted blows which he would
not have inflicted if he had IN ordinary weapon
of kind which would have been a security
against breaking His design was to whip him
but the stick broke, and that has brought upon
him these imputatons.
It has gone though the country that. Mr.
Brooks struck him after ho was PROSTATE on tho
floor None who know this young man could
childhood. used to have some control over
him but the scholar has become the master, and
suppose he would not care much about my ad.
vice now. By an hereditary tie our families are
more closely united than any two with whom
have been acquainted. But That is far apart
from the question. Independent Of his tilial
feelings for me. and his regard for me as his
constituent and Senator, have no doubt that a
personal feeling of regard for myself lndlvldu-
ally influenced him.
tle approached that man with no other pur-
pose than TO disgrace him as far rs he could ;
but the sick broke. After it broke lie was re.
duced 10 Il kind of necessity contingency
not apprehended at all in the original inception
of the purpose of making the assault. Notwith-
standing all that has been said Of his brutality,
he is one of the best tempered fellows | ever
knew-mpctuous, no doubt, and quick in re-
sentiment, but he did not intend what has been
assigned to him.
After all that has been said and done, on q
post belium examination, what is it? Alright in
the Senate Chamber, resulting in two flesh
wounds, which ought not TO have detained him
from the Senate Being rather handsome man,
perhaps he woui not like to expose himself by
making his appearance>fur some time; but it he
had been in the Army, there was no reason why
he should not 60 TO the field The next day and
he would observe to be cashiered, If he did not
60. What does his physician say, lie says
that there were but two flesh wounds; that he
never had fever while under his care and at
tendance, and that he was ready to come into
the Senate The next day, but for his advice; and
his advice was, that he should not come into The
Senate, because itwoud aggravate the excite,
ment already too high. EIc did not recommend
him not 10 60 into the committee room to be
examined on the ground that his wounds had
enieebed him, but for other considerations, be-
cause it might aggravate the excitement already