The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-06-12
Senator Sumner and Mr.. Brooks.

The following editorial from the Boston
Courier stands in striking contrast TO the
furious proceedings which have taken place
throughout Massachusetts and in Boston,
upon the occasion OF Mr. Summers chastise.
meni. The Courier Is paper Of the high
est character, and reflects the opinions Of
the old conservative portion of Massachu.
sets:
We made such comments as occurred TO
US, yesterday, in regard to The assault upon
MIR. Sumner. We are no friends to NO
lence, and especially are we unable to JUS
t'ty the mode chosen by Mr.. Brooks for
his attack, or to find any apology for his
selection Of place which should be kent
sacred from such scenes. 1t must be ad.
mitted, however, by all who are disposed
TO regard the subject reasonably and dis
passiona,ely. that the portion Of Mr.. Sum.
ner's speech which prompted the act of vio
Ience, and which we publish to-day, is ex.
cessirely insulting and provoking, and not
only highly lGdiScreet in sentiment and Ian
guage, but unjuslifable, in any view in
which it can be regarded. We should dcs
psc tho son OF Massachusetts who could
| hear his native State arraigned in such a
temper w'thou: feeling and manitesting his
! indignation, and it would be strange if n
South Carolinan did not resent the AFRO
giant and coutemptuous tone which Mr..
Sumner saw tit to indulge towards South
Caroline.
In regard to Judge Butler, inasmuch as
his expressions were more pointed and per-
sonal, they would be likely TO excite even
keener resentment Mr.. Butler il an old
man, long member OF the Senate, an ac-
compIished genueman, aud "a most amiabe
and honorable person. OF course lie enter
talns extreme Southern opinions on the
subject OF slavery, but his character deserv-
edIy stands very high; he is gentleman
OF u'bane and courteous dclneanor. and is
| universally beloved, esteemed and respected
MIR. Summers Personal attack upon him
was, IN our opinion, unmannerly and indie
cent, IN the highest degree, and none the
more 10 Mr.. Summers credit that it was
made IN Mr.. Buffers absence from his
/ place and from the city Of Washington.
No person can reasonably y suspect Us OF u
| dIspo,uon 10 check the freedom OF debate.
/ What debate is, conducted upon Just and
iaIr principles, is another question, which
/ we will not discuss now. But, in our judg.
/ meht, no man who processes the doctrines
of peace, has hight to employ that kind
| OF language which inevitably provokes war,
and then undertake TO shield himself be
/ hInd Ia, non-reSistant detenccs. And If he
| finds himself dragged out anl made TO suf-
/ Ter The penalty Of his iniemperance, who
can he blame! lie has voluntarily put
himself upon a par with the Incorporate
and the violent, and AUST submit TO the
/ consequences. -E,op informs us that n
trumpeier, who was once taken prisoner in
battle, claimed exemption from the com
! mon fate OF prisoners Of war, in ancient
/ times, on the ground that lie carried no
: Weapons and was in fact a non coinhatant
"Non.combatant' said his enemies, point
ing TO hls trumpet, rs they prepared To put
HIM TO death, why, YOU hold in your hand
the very instrument which incites our foes
to ten-iod fury against Us"
For ourselves, we are sure we should not
I have made a speech, Of the description of
/ Mr.. Summers, were we disposed TO do so.
without counting the cost. We should
have prepared ourselves, therefore for our
defence and instead of being surprised, as
MIR. Sumner WAS, and taken unawares. the
lirSt principles of logic would have instruct.
ed us that the advance of Mr. Brooks must
be hostile and that we must stand up and
abide the issue. While we deplorc, there
fore, the public outrage, and the condition
of public affairs which has produced such
unhappy consequences at the seat OF gov.
eminent, and while we particularly regret
the place and mode OF this unlawful act, we
are not at all surprised that speech so in
temperate and ill-judged rs Mr. Summers
has provoked some such retaliation rs has
ensued.