Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1856-05-30
Brutal Attack on Senator Sumner.

WAsllNoroN, May 22.
Immediately after the adjournment
Of Congress to-day, while Mr.. Sumner
was still in the Senate Chamber, Mr.. !
Brooks Of south Carolina entered and
Ne. Sumner. accusing him
Of libelling South Crrolina aud his old
gray headed relative, Mr.. Butler He
then struck Mr. Sumner with MS cane,
and Mr.. Sumner FELL Mr.. Brooks con.
tinued his blows till Mr.. Sumner was
deprived OF the power OF speech. Mr..
Sumner sas taken up and carried 20
bis ROOM Ii has not been ascertain.
ed whether his wounds are serious or
not. v hen the attack was made, Mr.
Sumner called for help, but no one in-
tcrfered until Mr., Brooks ceased his
assault. Some Witnesses say that
Brooks struck Sumner NJ many rs City
times over the head. Summer was
sitting in an arp chair when The as
sault was made. and had no opportu-
nifty to defend himself, The opinions
expressed on The subject are various,
many applauding the act: and others
dcnouneing Il as a cowardly attempt
to beat down the freedom Of speech
Il will undoubtedly cause a great de-
bate IN The Senate tomorrow, Brooks
has been arrested.
LATER.
Complaint against Brooks was made
ON oath by VIM Y. Leader. Brooks
appeared before Justice IIollingshead.
and was held to bill in thosum Olive
hundred dollars for his appearance to.
morrow afternoon. Sumner has two
severe but not dangerous wounds on
his head. Brooks cane was shatter-
ed 10 pieces,
WAsnINQroN, May %.
When the attack was made on Mr..
sumner there were probably from &C.
teen to twenty persons present, lnelu-
ding Critiendon. Foster, Toombs,
Fitzpatrick. Murray. Morgan and 9th
ers. membora OF Congress; Gov. Cor.
man and several officers Of the Senate.
and some strangers.
The attack was so sudden and I'M
expected that Mr.. sumner had no op.
portunity TO place himself In dcfen.
siye position, The first blow stunned
him. and tho stick. which was quits
percha. was broken into many pieces by
the time the assault was terminated
Criilenden. roombs. Murray and
others inlbrfered as soon AS they could
aud probably prevented further injury
Great excitement was caused by I'll,
occurrence. Mr.. Summer sank to Ia,
aoor. where lie lay until raised by hi
friends.
Mr.. Summers wounds bled profuse
lly. Hts physicians say they are tn,
most serious flesh wounds they eve
saw on a mans head, and deny hi
friends admission TO him. The as
sailant, Preston S. Brooks, is a Rep
rescntative in the House from th'
Fourth Congressional Distric. OF Soutl
Carolina, embracing Orangeburg
Brnwell, Beaufort and Colleton Dis
! tricts. IS
!, Mr.. Sumner is better this morning
aud will probably be able 10 occup,
his seat in a day or two. IL appear
that he did not call for help as wa
stated. being almost entirely uncon
scious after the first blow was strucl
The Attack on Sumner.
BosroS, May 90.
'rhr hrrial-assault upon Senate
/ Sumner has created much feeling :
t this community and throughout tn
State, and the indignation is universal
irrespective of political sy'upathies.
The FIRST account was read in Oh
! House of Representatives yesterda
afternoon, causing much excitemen
and il is not improbable that some pull
, lie actien will be taken in the matte
I, The most intense anxiety prevaile
this morning in consequences of a RI
: NOR that he was dead.
a In the House Of Representative
: this morning. Mr.. Temple, American
offered the following resolution, thu
a joint special committee be appointe
! to consider what action should be Il
4 ken in reference to the assault on Sci
ator Sumner. 1t was unanimousl
d adopted aud committee appointe
Q on the part Of the House, and res,
luton sent 20 the senate for concu
renee. A public meeting Of the cit
zens had been called for this evenin
to consider the matter.
Congressional Proceedings in regai
70 the Assault.
4 WASHINGTON, May 23.
SENArr-Mr. Wilson stated the 81
cumstances attending the assault NJ
on Mr.. Sumner yesterday, by NJ
D Brooks, Of South Carolina; represen
s ing itas not only against the rights
c man. but the constitutional privileg,
Of the members Of the Senate.
Mr.. Seward submitted resolutic
. that n committee Of FIVE members
+ appointed by the President pro ten
G TO enquire into the circumstances n
Il tending the assault committed on n
person of the Hon. Chas. Sumne
, member OF the Senate, in the Sena
! chamber yesterday, and that said cou
: mittee be instructed to report stat,
n ment Of the facts, together with the
: opinion thereon, -
AT the suggestion Of Mr.. Mason Il
resolution was amended. so ss to pr,
h vide for the election Of the commit,
by Ike Senate. and IL was then ado
:. ted.
{ Messrs. Cass. Allen. Dodge, Pear,
a and Geycr were elected said commi
S tee.
Stuart gave notice that at an ear
period he shall ask leave to submit q
, amendment TO the rules Of the Senat
dec airing il out Of order for any Sens
= tor in debate TO use language reilec
! ing upon the conduct and motives
: any other Senator. or discourteous
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