The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-07-10

to him sword Tor his good conduct In the
war with Mexico. That sword was in some
measure committed to him, that he might
use it, when occasion required, to maintain
the honor and the dignity Of his State
Whom he heard Of this speech first, and
read it afterwards, this young man, in pass.
ing down the street, heard but one senti.
ment, and it was, that his State and his
blood had been insulted. He could not 60
into the drawing-room or parlor, or into a
reading-room, without the street commen.
tary reproaching him. Wherever he went,
the question was asked, elias the chivalry
of South Carolina escaped, and is this to be
tame submissionl What advice would
have given him do not now undertake to
say.
But, sir, when this was said to this gen
teman wherever he went, he felt that il
something was not done he could not face
his constituents without losing his useful
moss, and without their being taint on his
honor and on his courage. lie may have
been mistaken in somo respects. His com.
ing into the Senate house was no option
of his. When he formed his determination,
as am informed, and have kept aloof
from conversation with MI Judge from
the evidence he had no purpose to profane
the Senate house. ] say the Senate house
had been profaned before. | had rather
tomorrow take ten blows inflicted on my
body, than have the gas of the rhetorician
poured out upon my character and State.
The Senator from Massachusetts chose to
make his place here one from which to as
sail the history and reputation of South
Carolina, and to assail an absent consttu
ent Of the gentleman who has taken redress
into his own hands. In such condition
Of things who could be placed in situation
more difficultl Surely, Mr.. President, some
thing is to be pardoncd to the feelings Of
man acting under sensibility, and undor
the dictates of high honor. Ii any one was
here, placed in situation TO feel the touch
ing appeal made by the ghost TO Hamlet
"lf thou hast nature in 4hee, bear it not" he
was the man.
=
Sir, man who occupies place in the
Senate, representing great Common wealth
ike Massachusetts, or representing any
State, rs one of her Senators, occupies n
very high position, from which he can send
forth to the public what may affect the
character of almost any man, except Gene
raj Washington, or some one upon whose
character the verdict of history has been
rendered. There is scarcely any man who
can Withstand the slander which may lie
pronounced from the Senate Chamber Of
the United States. For this reason would
never look, and never have looked, be.
yond the public position of member here
to go into Lis private and personal charac.
ter L would not do it, because by so doing
| should do wrong which could not re-
dress. Even word escaping my tongue
in this Chamber, as a Senator might go far
to inJure man where he could not correct
it. We are in a position which requires
high considerations for the regulation Of
our conduct. agree thoroughly with
Gen. Jackson, that the slanderer who i'm
wolves third persons in difficulty and dan
ger is an incendiary, against whom we
should guard more than any one else, in
| parliamentary point fview. / will quote
Gen. Jackson's language. lie said: "Over
the doors Of each House Of Congress, in
letters OF gold, should be inscribed, the
slanderer is worse than the murderer" a
| single murder is horrible. 1t may take a
single individual from society. But when
look at the misclievous influence of Sian.
der L find that 1t pervades whole COM
munity; makes war in society; sets family
against family; individual against individ
ual; section against section. It's the most
| cowardly mode in which war can be con-
Quoted.
With the state Of opinion to which I
have alluded prevailing, what did Mr.
Brooks do? OF course he did not under.
take 10 challenge Mr.. Sumner to a fist
fight, or a stick fight, or any other kind of
fight. lie thought Mr. Sumner deserved
castigation, and he undertook to give it
to him according TO the old fashioned no
ton, by Gaming him. / have not heard
Mr.. Brooks detail the circumstances.
have not conversed with him in regard to
the matter; take my information from tho
published testimony. Mr.. Brooks, not find
ing him anywhere else, came to him while
he was sitting in his seat here, after the
Senate had adjourned. lie came to him
In front-dfferent from the statement made
to the Massachusetts Legislature. lie was
half minute in his proem or explanation.
lie said: "Mr. Sumner, | have read your
speech. | have read it carefully, with as
much consideration, and forbearance, and
fairness as could; but, sir, have como to
punish you now for the contents Of that
speech, which is libel on my State, and
on gray-haired relative"
Instinct would have prompted most men
to rise Immediately. Mr.. Sumner did rise.
ln the act Of rising, Mr. Brooks struck him
across the face--not as has been represent
ed, over his head, for that is not the truth,
nor is it borne out by the testimony On
the second stroke the cane broke. 1t is the
misfortune OF Mr.. Brooks to have incurred
all the epithets which have been used in
regard to an assassinlike and bludgeon at.
tack, by the mere accident of having
foolish stick, which broke. 1t broke again;
aud it was not, as ] understand, until it