Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1856-06-13
The Cowardly Conspiracy.

The moro the truth is brought out about
Mr. Brook 5 attack ON Senator Sumner, tho
blackor and yicr does the decd appear The
evidence before the House committee shows
! beyond dispute that there was conspiracy.
that several members Of the House knew Of
the intended assault, and abettcd it. Some
Administration Senators must have expected
1t, also. Some Of them stood by when it was
done, and 50 conducted themselves that in
any fair court Of justice they would be convict
cd as abettors and punished accordingly
The conduct Of Brooks himself was more
like that Of wild Indian than Of a man who
had lived among civilized beings. lie, and
his assistant kcitt, were skullking and dodr-
ing about for two days to get chance to
TALL upon Mr.. Sumner where he would have
no means to defend himself, or to get, prompt
help from others More thorough-goin
cowardly and brutal rasclas are not often
read Of. We cut the following from com
pilation Of the testimony in the Boston
journal.
"llon. \. S. Murray saw Mr.. Kcitt stand
Ing near, and he testified that no one inter-
iered to stay Mr.. Brooks hand, except Mr..
Crittendcn
Hon. +. b. Morgan of New York heard the
assault from distant part Of the Senate
Chamber, and ran to interfere. When he
first saw Mr.. Sumner his head was down and
Mr.. Brooks apparently had hold of his coat
collar. Mr., Murray, who went another way,
arrived there the very instant witness did.
he caught Mr.. Il by the arm while in the
act OF striking, aud witness sprang between
Mr. Brooks and Mr. Sumner and caught Mr.
Sumner in the act of falling Mr.. Sumner
made no effort to defend himself When he
fell he was entirely inscusible Does not
think he was conscious after the first blow
Saw Mr.. keitt standing by and nourishing
his cane.
Mr.. James W. Simonton corroborates the
testimony which fixes upon Mr.. Keitt an ac-
tive participation in the outrage. Mr.. Keitt
rushed in, running around sumner and
Brooks with his cane raised crying g Let
| them alone" threatening witness and others
| who had rushed in to interfere.
Hon. Henry y. Eimundson Of Virginia
| gave some important testimony, showing that
/ he as well as Mr.. Kcitt was cognisant Of the
assailant's purpose and that the brutal as
sauIt was fully premeditated. Mr.. Brooks
informed him on the day succeeding Mr.
sumner S speech, that Mr.. 5 had been very
insulting to his State, and that he had de
tcr'nined to punish him, unless he made an
ample apology, he said - wish YOU mere
| ly to be present and if a difficulty should oc
cur to take no part in it; Sumner NAV have
friends with him. and wantA friend ot mine
to be with me TO 10 me justice - witness asked
him what was his purpose; he said it was to
call upon Sumner for the insulting language
used toward his State, and if he did not ary-
/ a nj. .It 1
heard Mr.. Brooks sayit was time for South
ern men to stop this coarse abuse used by
Abolitionists against Southern people and
States, and that he should not feel that he
was representing his state properly if he
/ permitted such things to be said.
ne next day witness saw Brooks watching
ior Sumner III the gate house of the capitol
grounds at the entrance of Ponnsylyania
Avenue. lie further testified
al supposed what his object was. and stepped ia .
| said, YOU are looking out; he said he desrous
otseeius Mr.. sumner that be- could not overlook
the insult; that he had scarcely slept any the ght
before thinking Ut IT, and that il ought be prompt
| ly resented; sat there only few minutes, dur
/ Ing which time learned that his purpose was to
meet MIR. summer before he got into the Senate
! chambers that hu could sec from that position
whether lie should walk or ride; if he should be in
carriage, he Brooks )intcuded to pas. through tho
ground. and Capitol and meet him before Ac reached
the senate Chamber; stated tp him that tFIt Io1ui}
ts 'u 1Wjvuisf ralr,,, tblt hat no dob, Nr Sum
/ norwgs, Yty,rlNg, a ..-,ps,r m1g tlap hun,sh and
the cXcrtion ana fatigue of passing up So many
flights of steps would render him unable to contend
with Mr. sumner, should personal conflict take
place. we walked then To- the Capitol"
1t seems by the above testimony from an
unwilling witness that the principal anxiety
Of the cowarily rullians who perpetrated tho
assault was how they could take Mr.. Sumner
] "A [ "A ll : Nautapp low vol thpv suppacI-