Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-27
a hc Assault on Mr.. Sumner-PrOceed-
ings I'm Congress, relative thereto.

2hc Assault on Mr.. Sumner-Proceed-
ings I'm Congress, relative thereto.
WASHINGTON, May 20.
SESATE-Mr. Wilson briefly detailed the crcum-
stances attending the assault upon Mr. Sumner yes
teTday by Mr.. Brooks, OF 5. c., representing it as
not ouly against the rights Of man, but the con-
stitutionsi privileges OF the members e The Senate.
Mr. Seward submitted resolution that com-
mittee Of five Members be appointed by the Presi-
dent pro tenn TO enquire into the circumstances at.
tending the assault comitted on the person Of Chas.
Sumner, member of the Senate, in the Senate
Chamber yesterday, and that said committee be in.
structed 70 report statement of the facts, togeth-
or with their opinion thereon, to the Senate.
At the suggestion Of Mr.. Mason, the resolution
was amended so as to provide for the selection
of the committee by the Senate, and il was then
adopted.
Messrs Csss, Allen, Dodge, Pesrce and Geyer
were elected said committee.
Mr.. Stuart gave notice that he shall at an early
day ask leave to submit an amendment to the rules
of the Senate declaring il out OF der for any Sena
10 use, in debate, language rejecting upon the
conduct and motives OF any other Senator, and
uncourteously aud improperly rejecting upon the
action Of State other than the one represented by
the Senator speaking
HoUsE-Mr. Campbell, Of Ohio, rising to ques-
ton of privilege, offered the following:
Whereas, on the 29d of May the Hon. Preston
S. Brooks and Hon. Lawrence ~ Keitt, members
of this House from South Carolina and other mem
bers, either as principals accessories perpetrst.
ed a violent assault on the person Of Hon. Charles
Sumner a Senator of the United States from Mass
sachusetts while remaining in bis seat in the Sen
ate chamber, and while in the performance Of the
duties appertainng 70 bis official station: there
fore
Resolved, That select committee Of FIVE mem,
bers be appointed by the speaker investigate the
subject and report the facts, with such resolution
thereto as in their judgment may be proper and
necessary for the vindicaton Of the character Of
this House. and that said committee have the pow
er TO send for persons and papers, and employ
clerk and 10 sit during the sessions of the House.
debate eusued upon the point of order
Mr. Smith of Virginia, suggested to Mr.. Campo
bell the pror rety of striking out the preamble 1t
assumed as fact that which could be ascertained
such only on examination.
Mr. Campbell was willing 10 modify the pream
be which he did, 10 read, whereas it is represent
ed, &c. 1t was due the House aud all parties that
the facts should be presented in some authentic
form and this could only be done fully and fairly
through a committee.
Mr. Cngman was satisfied the statement in
the preamble is a gross Elsebood, but he did not
mean that Mr.. Campbell had Intentionally made an
untrue declaration. The gentleman mistook.
Tie Speaker decided the proposition 10 order as
question Of privilege.
MR. Clingman appealed from the decision Of the
chair.
Mr. Crage was satisfied Mr.. Keitt was not con-
cerned in the matter the way stated.
Mr. Campbell replied if that should be proved,
certainly no wrong would be done.
Mr. Keitt thought differently The House requir.
ed the investigation His personal relations with the
parties had always been those Of friendship.
Mr. Payne inquired-"ls this resolution the res
10 n ng artio de NJ ha Hall
OF a cAucu.y"
Mr. Campbell replied--Not one word had be
heard lisped by member OF any party 10 such
course h was influenced alone by the dictates Of
his own judgment and sense OF public duty. As TO
who perpetrated the deed, he only knew from whar
be had heard; although he saw Mr.. Sumner lying in
the aante room adjoining the Senate, with gashes
in bis head TO the bone and blood flowing over
him.
Mr.. Clingman repeated that he would leave Mr..
Brooks TO answer to the law.
Mr. Letcher said-several wears ago Postmaster
General Hubbard was attacked by Gov. Briggs, a
member Of the House, yet neither be (Letcher) nor
Campbell thought proper to bring the subject 10 the
attention Of the House.
Mr. Campbell-He was not acting in bis official
capacity at that time.
Mr.. Campbell moved to lay Mr.. Clngman's APP
peal from the decision OF the Chair on the table
agreed to-yeas So, Lays IL.
The Speaker made personal explanation. He
had not been q party 70 any elaboration or cOusul
tation 10 this matter and had no knowledge of the
proposition until it was heard from the clerks
desk
Mr. Brooks explained. / take the entire respon-
sibility Oh myself and state my honor as a gen-
tleman no human being besides myself knew when
or where the transaction nteIded TO be made
Mr. MCQUEEN informed Mr.. Campbell that a pro
cess had been issued against his colleague Mr..
Brooks, who was amenable to the laws Of the
country.
Mr. Campbell said he had no purpose to put any
party In false position, but merely wished TO asS
certain the facts, there being many rumors pre-.
vslenL
Mr.. Haven appealed to Mr. Campbell TO omit the
name Of Kett from the preamble
Mr.. Campbell Assented.
Several gentlemen wanted him TO strike out the
words ''other members" but be refused, saying he
had reasons 70 retain them.
Mr. KeitI remarked, as bis name had been withs
drawn he would say he did not know the time nor
the place when the act would be committed. He
was behind the chair Of the President OF the Senate
With sie gentlemen from bis State, and he did
Dots t1e begi ne oft, therefore he Lad moi the
Ella btest precOncert with his colleague
Under the operation OF the previous question Mr..
CampbelI's proposition Was Adopted-yeAs qS,
yeas 6S.
The Speaker appointed Nessrs. Campbell. Of
Ohio, Allison. Cobb, Of Georgia, Greenwood aud
SpinnUr as the committee.
NJ. Allison wAs excused by request