Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1874-03-25
The Assault Of Brooks on Sumner.

IHc ASSdult vi DTUOhS VII DuiuHVi'
The assaul. Of Preston S. Brooks in tho
United States Senate chamber eighteen
years ago, upon Charles Sumner, possesses
more than ordinary interest at the present
time. We give the following brief narra-
tive of the same:
At the close of his debate the Senate
adjourned. That was on Wednesday. On
Thursday afternoon, May 22, 1856, about
half past one O'Clock, after the session of
the Senate, which was simply to pass
resolution OF respect to deceased mem.
Der, Mr.. Sumner was sitting at his desk
in the room now occupied by the United
States Supreme Court. lie was writing.
Preston S. Brooks, member of Congress
frsm South Carolina, entered the chamber,
and, advancing to Mr., Sumner, said
"Mr. Sumner, | have read your speech
on South Carolina-I read it carefully,
deliberately and dispassionately-in which
you have libeled my State aud slandered
my white-haired old relative, Senator
Butler, who was absent. and | have come
to punish you for it." Mr.. Brooks then
struck the Senator some dozen blows on the
head with his cane, which was of gutta
percha about one inch in diameter and
was broken by the assault. Some Sena-
tors were present. John j. Crlttendcn
endeavored to remove Mr.. Brooks, but he
was supported by Mr.. Keith, member Of
Congress, and Mr.. Edmunds, of Virginia.
Mr.. Sumner, perfectly unconscious, sunk
en- the floor, all bloody, areadfullY bruised,
and he remained there until he was raised
by his friends.
We all of us must remember the extra
ordinary excitement occasioued by this
event. The Massachusetts Legislature
unanimously passed resolutions; meetings
were held all over the country. In the
Senate Mr.. Wilson, now Vice-P President,
offered resolution calling attention to the
fact, and committee was appointed, COM
posed Of Democrats, to inquire into the
assault In the House 0 committee was
appointed, Indignation meetings were
held throughout the country. South Car
olina passed resolutions endorsing the ruff
fan who assaulted the Senator, while Mas
sachusetts passed resolutions condemning
his conduct Debates of o most angry
character were indulged in, SO much so
that Senator Butler went so far as to call
Senator Wilson liar. A meeting was
held in Now York, at which were present
William M. Evarts, Moses Taylor and
William G. Bryant. Speeches were made
and delivered by Charles King, G, B.
Morgan, and Henry Ward Beecher. ri.
nally report was presented expelliug Mr..
Brooks from the House, the consequence
being that that gentleman resigned as rep
resentative, and was Immediately after
wards elected from South Carolina, The
report was signed by Lewis D. Champell,
f. L. Spinner and A. NJ. G. Pennington.
AS the result of the attack Mr.. Sumner
was compelled practically to retire from
public life. He visited Europe for long
time, and it was thought he never would
recover. Bat by the efforts of eminent
surgeons in Paris, and after un dargoing
cruel and extraordinary treatment, he was
SO far recovered in 1860. when the cam.
paigu for the Presidency opened, that he
made speech on the barbarism of slavery,
and took prominent part in the support
of Lincoln and Hamlin