Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-05-30


At the opening of the session in both houses oil
Congress yesterday the attention of the two bod
les called TO the rencounter which took place on
Thursday afternoon between Hon. Preston S Brooks,
of South Carolina, and Charles Sumner, of Massa-
Chusetts In the Senate the occurrence was briefly
detailed by Mr.. Wilson, after which MIR. Seward Of
ered resolution to raise committee OF five 10 in
Vestigate the facts, and report thereon, as we'll as
to report the opinion of the committee. The reSo-
luton was adopted without objection, and the Sen
ate proceeded to elect the committee Messrs Cass,
Geyer, Pearce Dodge, and Allen.
In the House Hon. Lewis D. Campbell brought
the subject before that body by the introduction OF
preamble, in which the alleged facts are briefly
stated, and resolutions raising committee OF nves-
tigatiOn similar 10 that appointed in the Senate
Mr.. Camphells preamble and resolution were PASSED
with but little discussion, because of the application
of the previous question. The Speaker appointed
the following committee:
Lewis D. Campbell OF Ohio, A. c. M. Pennington
of New Jersey, Howell Cobb of George, A. B. Green
wood of Arkansas, and F E. Spinner of New York
In each house the proceedings were based upon
the assumption that Mr. Brooks made the assault
on Mr.. Sumner whilst IN his seat and engaged IN his
public business. In the House these facts were as
sumed in the preamble of Mr. Campbell, and in the
Senate they were distinctly assumed by Mr.. Wilson
in his opening remarks. It is hardly doubtful that
the proceedings in the two houses were the result Of
concert and it is fair inference therefore, that the
jurisdiction in the is rested on the facts assumed
mat MT, sumner al Jne Time Oh ASSAULT was
only in his seat, but engaged in his public duties as
Senator AS these seemed to be the only material
facts about which there may be controversy, we Zee
at liberty to state briefly what think will be found
10 be the truth to the occurrence.
The Senate had adjourned, and most of the sena
tors and persons in the galleries had left the cham
ber when Mr. Brooks approached near to Mt Sum
ner, who still occupied his seat, and said
Mr.. Sumner, have read your speech with care
and with much imparality as | am capable OF
and feel it my duty to tell you that you have IL
beed my State and sIandered kinsman who is aged
and absent, and must punish you for it,"
Mr. Brooks then struck Mr.. Sumner violent blow
across the head with gutta percha cane. At first
Mr.. Sumner manifested disposition to defend him
SELF but was finally Frustrated by the repeated blows
OF his assaant when several of the bystanders in
teered and removed Mr.. S., in senseless condition
to one of the adjoining rooms. Supposing these &c
he substantially the facts. it may be remarked thai
the offence of Mr.. Sumner consisted In his having
attacked, in late Speech in most wantOn and afro
Clous manner not only the State of South Carolina
OF which Mr.. Brooks is representative. but Sena'
Tor Butler who is near relative OF Mr. Brooks, ar
aged gentleman, and now, at the time of the attack
absent at home. AS he attack was made by MIR
brooks when the Senate was not in session, and wheI
The chamber is open TO all persons, We presume tina
The place where it made can have no bearing OF
me legal question which may be involved Whethe
Slr: sumner was at the time engaged in his publ
uutes, and II he was, whether that is a materia
circumstance IN the case, questions on which tn
cohnllees raised Will report the facts ant their opn
lOnS and until such reports, we deem it prematur
10 indulge in further remarks
LWashington Union.
VI III