The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-05-29
COL. BROOKS AND SENATOR SUMNER,

htd ShootloCO ~ MNEK, vi MiSS;tCnuScltS,
because of his infamous libel upon our
State, and vile slander of Judge BUTLER,
who was absent from his scat. A dispatch
Of May 22 announced that Col. Brooks
had been arrested. Committees in both
Houses had been appointed to investigate
The causes which led to the assault. In
tense excitement prevailed.
We cannot say how this affair may affect
the standing of Col. BRooKs at Washing
ton; one thing we do know, that his con-
stituents will justify him for his timely
punishment Of one of the most accom-
plishcd Frcesoilers and unblushing tradu-
GERS Of Southern character, that has ever
disgraccd the Senate Chamber Already
has Newbcrry held meeting, an account
of which we give in another column
Other Districts will adopt the suggestions
therein contained.
These are some Of the circumstances at
tending the affair: 1t appears that Sum
NER, Senator from Massachusetts, dcliv-
cred himself of two days speech amoun-
ting to nothing more than conglomcrated
mass of vile caumny and personal abuse
of two-tlir.ls of the members of the Senate :;
among others, Judge BUTLER, who is rcl:-
tive of Col. BROOKS, received his share
When SUMNER had closed his speech
several Senators rose, among them Judge
Ev1Ss, TO reply to the ISLANDERS of SUMNER;
but CAss, DOUGLASS and others succeeding
in obtaining the floor, defended themselves
against the personal abuse of SUMNER,
characterized his speech as bundle of
calunny, and himself as unfit for the asso-
ciation of gentlemen. DOUGLASS said that
he conld not understand what could be the
object Of the Senator, unless it was to get
himself kicked out of the Senate, and then
manufacture sympathy out Of his merited
punishment.
Wien SrMSEn's speech was published,
and read by Col. BHooKs, he determined to
punish him corporcally for the unlncrited
abuse of Judge BUTLER. lie expected to
meet linn on the street, but failing, he went
TO the Senate, and after its adjournment, he
walked up to SUMNER at his seat, and said,
al have read with regret your speech, and
and because Of your libel upon my State
ana! The persona! attack in his absence
upon my gray-haircd relative, Judge But
LER, have determined to inflct punish
ment upon you." lie then struck several
blows, bringing him to the floor, and walk
cl away and left him.
Ordinarily a man may apologize for
words extcmporarily used in the heat of dc.
b tie; but where Il man, as did SUMNER,
spends months to write, mcmorizc and de-
Ever IL speech, whatever Of unjust personal
abuse is therein contained, becomes dcliLcr-
etc and wilful slandcr, for which no apol-
ogy can DC honoraby given. To retract
under such circumstances, except under
different understanding of the facts, would
have been adding to his disgrace, dis,vow-
ing his settled convictions from fear, cow
ar.licc or other dishonorable motives. And
AS no doubt Col. Brooks felt that no salts
factory apology could he given, he chose
not to demand it, but to deal with him in
more effectual and summary way.
Expulsion is the extent of punishment
Which can bc inflicted by the House; and
should this he done, lie will be returned bv
IN overwhelming vote.
We notice that meetings have been held
in Boston, Lowell and other Abolition sinks
Of Massachusetts, and resolutions have been
passed condcmnatory to BRooKs No
doubt these ncgro-worshipcrs consider it an
insult, and any amount Of gas will be let
of, but none will have the spirit to resent
it. A dispatch dated Washington, May
&c, reports that Col. BnooKs had cl,al-
lenged JAMES WATSON WEBB, of the New
York Courier d. Enquirer, in consequence
of an article published in that paper, rela-
tive TO his attack upon SUMNER. WEBB
has disavowed the authorship and declined
the challenge.
Let the suggestion contained in the reso-
lutions Of the Newberry meeting be carried
out, and n general meeting of the people of
Abbevile be held on next SaIe.day.