The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-07-30
W..

answering arguments"
We have dwelt at length on the Brooks as
sault because 1t was IN event Of capital i'm
portance in Summers life. endeared him to
the people Of the free States made his polit-
ical position In Massachusetts almost i'm
pregnable. and played no inconsiderable part
in the Presidential campaign of 1856. We will
merely add that the healing Of the flesh wounds
on the skull left Sumner a sufferer from press
ure on the brain. with weakness Of the spine
and great nervous sensibility. BY the advice
OF surgeons he visited Europe In the hope that
some remedy might be applied. and thanks to
DR.. Brown SeQuard, who had recourse to
treatment which may we'll be called heroic, the
purpose OF his journey was fulfilled He re-
turned to the Senate on Dec. 5. 1859 but, con-
forming to the advice Of his physician. for q.
time he took but little part in the ever-recur-
ring discussions on slavery. On June 4. 1880,
however. he delivered the great speech on
The Barbarism OF Slavery" in gathering
aterlals for which he had been engaged for
several months. He undertook to demonstrate
the barbarism Of slavery in four essential ele-
ments. to wit. its conversion OF human being
into q chattel or piece Of property. to be the
subject OF ownership and alienation: its
abrogation OF marriage and Of the parental re-
lation it's exclusion Of slaves from knowledge
under severe and inhuman penalties and
finally itR appropriation Of their labor-thsse
all being. as Sumner claimed. not mere out
growths and abuses. but inseparable ele-
ments OF the system. Indispensable for
the one main purpose OF compelling
the labor Of fellow men without wages. He
showed how the American system rejected the
alleviations OF other systems OF slavery. Then
followed a review Of the practical results Of
slavery. as evinced In the slow growth Of the
slave States. their inferiority In production. in
education. in invention. in internal improve
ments. In institutions Of learning and charity
and in the manifold appliances OF civilization.
All assertions on these points were made good
by figures. Next the character of slavery was
exhibited in its effect on slave masters, be-
getting violent passions and extinguishing
the nobler and gentier instincts Of humanity.
particularly In the quick resort to violence.
both against slaves and the friends OF slaves
an effect OF the institution which had been
often noted by philosophical writer's. and con-
fessed by slave-owners themselves. Further
proof WAS offered in the slave codes. which.
whatever might be the eminence Of individual
virtue. were faithful witnesses to the average
condition OF society: by advertisements for
runaway slaves suggestive Of cruelty and lust
the three congenial agents Of slavery" the
slave overseer the slave breeder, ana the slave
hunter" the treatment OF the friends OF
even when. like Samuel Hoar they
bore the commission OF States; the duels and
street fights common where slavery existed
the frequent resort OF slaveholding members
of Congress to violence using pistols on the
floor and challenging to the duel. and defend
Ing such methods in cool harangues.
During the speech. which lasted four hours
Summers voice lost nothing In power. and he
was not conscious OF weariness In the end.
There was now no disposition among the
Southern members OF Congress to resort again
10 violence against him; but there seemed to
be an understanding on the part OF the Demo-
cratic Senators to treat Summers speech with
offensive indifference and undisguised con-
tempt Some kept away from their seats; |
others rose to leave as he began: coming in
later. they talked audibly with one another.
gathering In groups: they were noisy In the |
space outside the desks or In adjacent rooms.
and INDUCED In derisive laughter. Once Sum- |
nor stopped. signifying that he was disturbed. |
and Fitzpatrick. who was In the chair. called |
'or order. but In tone and manner that be- |
rayed his sympathy with the disorderly SEN
,tors The air OF Indifference. however. was |
,hought by some OF the spectators to be |
Affected. IL was noticed that penAtor hunt
,r listened with respect and maintained |
no decorum which becomes Senator. |
John j. Crittenden. who had hoped to
vert collision by compromise. sat In front OF |
summer. with eyes steadily fixed upon him. and
With an anxious countcnance, as II imploring |
lin to desist and not make peaceful settle
nent between North and South impossible
The Republican Senators listened attentively.
tut Mr.. Pierce recalls that nearly oil would
lave preferred that the speech should not
lave been made at that time. Few Of them
ollowed the custom OF subscribing for copies
Il the speech to be franked to their constitu-
nts. Seward without expressly Directing to
he speech. called 1t elaborate, nnsparing.
nd denunciatory." Irof. FELTON, OF Harvard
University in friendly letter to Sumner took
reception to 1t as harsh and too sweeping in
Il treatment OF slayeholding society. 1t Is