New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-28
XXXIVTH CONG r Z s 5
FIRST SESSION.
SENATE. .WAsHISGToS, May p.
KANSAS AFFAIRS.

b fore the Committee Of the House published thu
no,rirg which caused long debate and some e1-
element.
Mr.. Slidell said the statement declares:
"Other persons were about me, offering me friendly
assistance but did not recognize any OF them Others
were at distance looking and offering 90 assistance
Of whom recognized only NJ. Douglas OF Illinois, M
Toombs Of Georgia, and, | thought, my assailant
standing between them. was helped from the hoor,
and conducted into the lobby of the senate, where
was placed upon sofa. OF those who helped me 70
the place | have no recollection. As | entered the
lobby, / recognized Mr. Sliden of Louisiana, who
retreaed but / recognized no one else, until some
time later, as supposed, when fer friendly grasp
Of the hand which seemed TO come from NJ. Camp
bell Of Ohio"
Mr. Shden said il seemed to him proper 10
plain bis petition relative TO this matter, as The
published statement ufg false impression
the public mind. When the Senate Adjourned tia
day he entered ante-room, where be remained IN
CONVEX alton with Messrs. Douglas, Fitzpatrick and j
Clancy Jones' and while there was Informed that Mr..
Sumner had been badly beaten by Mr. Brooks. He
came into the Senate Chamber but there were 20 many
persons crowded around M Sumner that he did no
him at all and he soon returned 10 the an'e-room
10 finish his conversation Having remained there for
some time. be passing through the reception room
10 20 home when he met Mr. Sumner in the door, lean
on two persons whom he did not know. His face was
covered with blood. and as he loiddell was not on
such 10 make il necessary to express any sym
patby-not having spoken TO M Sumner for two year.
I he TUNED aside = = went out by another door. He
had not the slghtSt idea before the occurrence took
place that Mr.. Brooks anybody else had any inten-
ton of attacking Sumner, and entirely free from
any participation or counsel in the matter.
Mr.. DOUGLAS couoborsted the statement OF Mr..
Sldell and said that when be tDouglasl heard that
Mr. Sumner had been attacked his frst idea was 10
come in and endeavOr 10 restore quiet but upon re-
fectiDg that bis motives in interfering might be mis-.
construed he did not enter the Senate Chamber until
the ARRAY was over. The crowd around Sumner was
then 20 large that for time he could not him
He saw Messp. Toombs Cnttenden, Pearce and
Evans, all seated in their usual seats, but he
was not near Brooks, a. stated IN the report. This
was total misapp ehensOn on the part of Mr.. sum
ner Mr. Douglas added that he had no knowledge or
suspicion that any assault WAS contemplated or would
be made, here or elsewhere. He did not approach
Mr. Brooks nor speak to him. and not within fifty
feet of the Senator from Georgia Mr. ToOmbsl How
such an idea could have got into Mr. Sumner head
was impossible for him to conceive. The published
statement might carry an impression TO the country
that be was aiding and abeting and was IN fact par
ticpant in the assault but that was an entirely emo
neous idea as be did not even know that Mr. Sumner
was in the Capitol at the time the assault was COM
mited.
Mr.. TOOMBS remarked that he was in Bis seat al
the time and how Mr.. Sumner could suppose be saw
him near Mr. Brooks be could not tell IL might be
that in The confusion Mr.. Sumner msoOk General Cor
man for him Mr.. TOOmbs further said that in ex'
pressing opinions about the affair at the time some
gentlemen condemned II; but be tIoombsl told Mr..
Brooks that he approved OF H.
Mr.. BUTLER >. g. SAID be had Just arrived 10
the city, but had he been in Washington he shou d
have assumed all the responsibility taken by has gal
liant relative. He denied, in the most emphatic mau.
uer the statement of Mr. Sumner that what be had
said in bis speech was strictly inresPonse 10 VIA put
Ter had sad on former OCCASIONS lie understood that
the Lee Of Mss-ashuset. bad passed %
ors should be- presented TO tie senate be would speak
Oh the subject il deserved. Not single one "i M
Summers remarks in relation to him was response u
anything which he Butler had said upon the hansss
lie rf,pds in
biz friends here thought he Butler had been remark
vbly moderate in the character OF hsremarKS. re
scIupulousy avoided sayiIg anything 20 vlo ,h
couteses of Senatorial debate and spoke neither OF
the Senator from Massachusetts,, to him or about MN,
Mr. WADE said it was impossible Tor INN 10 SIT sun
and hear such principles avowed as ne had neaIu W
this occssjon As to the facts in reference 10 the
assault he knew nothing about them, and had nothing
TO cay on that point. He was here 10 pretty lean
msority-not more than about one fifth OF the senate
entertaining opinions similar to his. But "hen ne
heard il stated that this toor an assassln-Iike,
Cowaidly attack had been made upon man va,
armed and having no power 10 defend himself, ana
that be had been stricken down ana amos.
murdered and then heard a Senator avow that
be approved such conduct, it became matter
Of some interest and importance TO all the members OF
this BODY, and especially to the minority. brave
man could not defend himself against such an attack
as this, ard might be overpowered by numbers, out
oyerpowered OF not, live or die, SAID he, y VIII
"yndicate the rights Of liberty of debate and The
freedom of discussion so long as i've II the Prin-
"ciple announced here il 10 prevail, let Us come
armed for the combat. Although you are four TO
lone am here to meet you. A man eau DIE IN no
better cause than in vndication of the nghts OF
debate Oh this hOor II these are the principles that
areto be approx ed by majority, and become part
land parcel of tie law of Congress, let II be under
"stood." 90
Mr. WILSON thought the explanation of Mr. ST.
dell was not Inconsistent with anything stated by his
colleague He had no idea that Dir. sumner Intended
TO place M Sic I'll in a false position. The Senator
from Illinois has, be said, also made bis explanation
and nothing in that inconsistent with the STATE
IN. nj of Mr. Sumner. He was stricken down upon
this floor by brutal, muderous and eowardly
aSaut.
MI BUTLER In bis seat You are liar;
Mr.. STUART called the Senator TO order, and
also stated that there was question before the
Senate il was evident the debate was becoming scr-
monious and he hoped il might be POSTPONED until tie
matter could be considered with more ca mnes';
Mr. BUTLER spoogi1ed for words which ieli RON
him in moment Of excitement and said thst, II dis
cussing the resolutions of the Massachusetts Legsa
ture Il he should traEsgress the bounds Of propne'y
il would be because he was provoked 10 4. he Asd
been the aggressor anu De called upon IHe oSN
ate to bear witness 10 the fact
Mr. WILSON resumed. HIS colleague had stated
the facts 10 the best Of his recollection ana Il Wa ho'
TO be expected that after such severe BOWS "A-a
bad rendered him UNCONSCIOUS he could be perfectly
accurate in every minute particular lie did not De-
eve lie bad intended 10 90 Justice TO any BODY s!d
when be was again able 10 take his seal re Wond o.
ready 10 meet the Senator nom South CaruLna anl
Others in debate Meantime, any assumption OF supe-
rory by the senator M GIT pass Tor WI I waswotb
Mr. FOSTER alluded 10 the ayowa oi Mr. Iooinb.
that be approved Of The conduct Of NJ Brooks, and
thought il was incumbent on him. a. be hsd not par
tcipated the debate any extent, 10 ssy word as
10 the reasons for his serce Ii be remained silent
some might suppose Il was through feaf OF Ike con-
sequences himself. He wished 10 dssbuse the minds
of Snators if any such misspprehension existed. He
had thus far participated Lut slightly II debate, be-
cause being new Member be thought II more becOm.
ing for him 10 listen than - speak. But VIXEN such
infimations a TIE Senator NJ. Ioombs bad mad.