Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-05-30
Fo- tn Spy.
yVopcEsTrR Nav o7. 1876

WORCESTER, Nav q, 1856.
FEW WORDS on THE ASSAULT Upon sen
AToR SUMNER AND SHOOTING OF HEATING, AT
WAsHINGToN.-MeSSrS. Editors The general
sympathy of the public is freely given, and gen
eral indignation felt, at the late attack Sena-
tor Sumner. This is as it should be, for it was
high handed outrage, invading the sanctity Of the
Sena Chamber, and VIOLATING the person of one
OF our highest legislative bodies, and, through
him, the honor and dignity of the State whose
representa- he is. Consequently. the liberal
press throughout the country denounce Mr.
Brooks-indignatiU meetings, largely attended
by men of all parties, pass strong resolutions
reprobating the act, and its perpetIatOr, and eX-
pressing coincidence and sympathy with the
sufferer. But, there is another view, and one
certainly not so creditabe to public opinion and
public sentiment, to be taken of this matter.
In Washington, the scene of this outrage. on
May 9th, was perpetrdted high handed murder.
The New York Tribune, an impartial witness,
says that MrHerbert,a California representative.
came into Wizards Hotel, at IL 2 o'clock, and
asked waiter for bre 4kfast Being told 1t
against the rules of the house to furnish break
fast at so late an hour, the irritable Mr.. Herbert
called the waiter d. d son ola b-h. The head
waiter. eating. then maze reply. when Her
bert. not satisfied with the insult he had given,
struck Heating with his fist. The deceased then
took up plate or tray, making movements as If
to throw it, when Herbert threw chair at him,
and general melee ensued, ending by Herbert
cock, taking hold OF the collar of keatng's
coat with his left hand. and shooting him with
his right" Herbert and friends then left the
Hotel. Let the press and the public look calmly
at this matter. BY what right did Mr., Herbert
insult and strike the waiter, for the simple dis
charge of his ruty: Why go armed, at noon
day, like bandit or pirate, rather than like a
peaceable citizen. or gentlemanly Representative
in Coz gress? Well, he is arrested and brought
to trial, the best legal talent in Washington
nd rh iS dafp fto orset frat SD1ith
and Bench, cannot find it in their hearts to COM
nit him fully, for tn murder Of a mere Irshman,
and try to rid themselves of the responsibility, by
sending the case to the Criminal Court. Finally,
bail Is taken, and the man with blood stained
hands scare ly dry, takes his seat in the halls of
Congress, to as, iSt in the framing of laws, for
which lie has no respect, and which he has gross
ly violated.
| Wnete has the selfrespect and dignity of Con.
| gress vanished, in permitting California rowdy
who goes armed through the streets-and p OBJ.
| ably mo Congress itself-a seat in their body
| A m'tlon for committee of investigation, mode
bv Mr. Washhun OF Main (Repub can } was
'oied down princip lily by members ufthe Demo
cratic party; The r p blc'ns lirg' ly voting for
1t, hut the motion was tabled lay vote of 70
against TO- Thus has ongress by its action up-
proved the murderer's acts
There is one thing which strikes the dispasion
ate reader lii this sympathy for Senator Sumner,
in all the speeches at indignation meetingsn the
Brooks's misconduct not the slightest alusion
is made to the immaculate Mr. Herbert he
press is unanimously silent on the question with
one honorable excep ion-the NewY0rk Tribune
which, with whitening sarcasm holds up to public
scorn the murderer and his sympathzers in the
foul deed.
Though highly blamed and subjected to ridi-
Guile, Tor many Of their foolish attempts at legis-
lation. the Know Nothing Legislature of Massa.
chusettS had still left some sense of selfrespect
and dignity and cut off and ign mlniously ex-
PEELED Hiss for his "Mrs Patterson" e. capades
In this respect the Congress of the United States
might learn lesson from Massachusetts, and
purge itself of i'll spoken and i'll acting bues be
their weapons gutta percha cane, a loaded pis
toll, or the 'aSsn'S dagger.
The press. aud the great political pal ties
should not let this matter rest The Democrats
party, voted against and stihed investiga-
ton, thus taking TO their arms the day life.
taker. The main portion of the votes for invpsti
CATION came from the Republicans, aud to their
manly sense of justice, though differing with
them in politics, all honor belongs Bu thi,
affair, like Mr. Summers, from the position of the
aggressor has to naturslized ctiz. ms, a national
character, they look on observantly, even though
silently, TO see what journal, man. or class of
men, will heat this bloody affair the life of one
man taken by another in the capital of the nation
at MONDAY, regardless of the official position of
Trusting this affair will meet from the press
and the public the consideration it merits,
| am, Gentlemen, yours,
N ATtrT, n1-,