The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-03-20

s ! ~ q
no doubt, BY the brutal Assault b
Brooks upon him, brings wildly to
mind the starring incidcrs== connected
/ with that affair. The attack was made
on the 22d OF May, 1856. The feeling
excited by the event was most intense,
1 and numerous Indignation meetings
Were held throughout the North 1t
was nearly month thereafter, when it
! was found that Mr. Summers injuries
necessitated his retirement from the
Senate, that Arson Burlingame deliv-
cred his celebrated speech in the House,
in which he denounced the assailant
and his. abettors, and proclaimed his
/ (Burlingame's) readiness to answer for
his words in any manner or In any place
that his enemies might select. Mr..
Burlingame's strong words, and subse-
quent acceptance of a challenge, though
heartily applauded in many parts of the
country, did not meet the approval of
his constituents in Massachusetts, who
Eobjected most decidedly to any reeogni-
ton of the code, even under this extra
ordinary provocation. 1t is not unin-
Iteresting at this time to reproduce the
words OF Mr.. Burlmgame, for which he
was called to account. He alluded to
the case at the outset by eulogizing the
speech of Mr.. Summer, and said
need not speak OF the classic purity of its
language, norof the nobility of its sentiments.
1t was heard by many it has been read by
millions. 1t was made in the face of a hostile
Senate. 1t continued through the greater
portion of two days and yet, curing that
time the speaker was not once called to order
This fact Id conclusive as to the personal and
parliamentary decorum of the speech. But he
was there 10 denounce tyranny and crime, and
he did IL. He was there to speak for the
rights of an empire, and he did it brayely and
grandly. So much for the occasion of the
speech. A woodland shall be pardoned-
about the speaker himself He is my friend,
and for many and many year have looked
up to him for guidance He sat at the feet Of
Charming and drank in the sentiments of that
noble soul He bathed in the learning OF the
great jurist, Story, and the hand OF Jackson,
with its honors and offices, sought him in
early life. The people of Massachusetts, pay
their full homage to the beauty Of his public
and private character: Such is Charles Sum-
ner. On the l2d of May, when the Senate and
the House had clothed themselves in mourn
ing for brother fallen the Senator from
Massachusetts, sat in the silence of the Senate
chamber, when a member OF this House, who
had taken an oath to sustain the Constitution,
|
hitherto been held sacred against violence,
and smote him as Cain smote his brother.
Mr.. Keitt-That is false.
Mr.. Burlingame-I will not handy epithets
with the gentleman. am responsible for my
own language. Doubtless he is responsible
for his.
Mr.. Burlipgame-I shall stand by mine.
One blow was enough but it did not satiate
the wrath of that spirit which had pnrsed him
through two days. Again and again the
leaden blows fell, until he was torn away
from his victim, and the Senator from Massa-
chusetts fell in the arms OF his friends, and
his blood ran down the Senate floor. The act
was brief, and my comments shall be brief
also. denounce it in the name of the Con-
stitution it violated. l denounce it in the
name Of the sovereignty OF Massachusetts,,
which was stricken down by the blow. I de-
nounce 1t in the name Of humanity. l de-
neunce it in the name of civilization, which at
outraged. / denouuce 1t in the name OF that
fair play which bullies and prize-fghters re-
i spect. Sir, IL freedom Of speech is not to re-
main with us, what is this Government worth
II we are to be called to account by some
gallant nephew OF some gallant uncle
when we utter something that does not
suit their sensitive natures, we desire to
know it. The House will bear witness that
we have not violated nor 'trespassed on its
rules; but, sir, IL we are pushed too far there
are men from the old Commonwealth of Mas
! sachusetts who will not shrink from a defense
of freedom of speech and the honored State
they represent, on any field where they may
be assailedl
i These outspoken words, which were
intended and as notification by
Mr.. Burlingame that he should hold
himself ready to answer for them with
his life, if necessary, were followed by
challenge from the cowardly assailant
of Mr.. Sumner-Brooks. Mr.. Burlin-
game promptly accepted the challenge
and named place in Canada for the
meeting. Meantime, 1t had transpired
that the young member from Massachu.
chusetts was an excellent shot, and thai
the chances were good deal against
| Mr.. Brooks ever returning to Washing
ton if he went to the place assigned.
He therefore declared that he was
! afraid to pass through the free States
} on his way to Canada, as he would run
the risk of being mobbed. The fimsy
excuse was so ridiculed that poor
: Brooks never recovered from its effects,
and, though he was reelected, he cut
but sorry figure afterward, and the
disgrace into which he had fallen, even
in the eyes of his friends, undoubtedly
had an influence In Fastening his death
which occurred not long subsequently
All the parties to this event of tragic
interest Butler, of South
Carolina, in whose behalf the assault
was made, Brooks, Burlingame, Sun
ner-are now dead, the victim of the
| murderous assault being the last to sur
render to the remerseless enemy.
Z A Record Undimmed.
In the wears immediately following