Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1895-06-12
OF MIR. BROOKS
In Regard TO the Gaming OF the
Hon. Charles Sumner in 1886.

Hon. Charles Sumner IN 1900.
Columbia Evening News.
The following is the original
statement of the Hon. Preston
S. Brooks, giving an ac-
count of the fogging administered
by him to Charles Summer. 1t re-
calls a stormy time, wherein event
followed event in swift succession.
In personal life Mr.. Brooks was
fearlessly brave and upright, pos
sesslng qualities that to this day
render his memory dear to the
community in which he lived. The
charge circulated Ly Northern pa
papers impugning his courage was
wholly false. There never was a
Drawer man. He might have erred
in Judgment. But that was all.
He was a fair and fine type OF
the old time Southern gentleman,
with all the chivalrous qualities
which that elder time began and
of which it furnished so many
brilliant illustrations.
But with the writer Of these
lines all the interest centres in the
peaceful quiet and brooding So
lemnity of Leaside, where it stands
in its desolation to-day overlook
ing two verGant and fertile valleys,
set in a framework Of hills and
calling to life thousand slumber-
ing echoes from other years-des-
olate now, but beauteous once with
tie fine faces of lovely women,
whose peers were not found in all
ihe land, and whose presence lem
glamour to the place which 1t IS
all rifed Of since.
We are straying upon dangerous
ground, for the memories of Nine
tv-Six are so rich and full that
the heart will linger 100 long upon
them. Best lot to enter land
where every hill has its history
and every vale its legend, with
out leisure to dwell there.
The statement of Mr.. Brooks is
candid, and follows the line of
strict truth.
''In the Senate of the United
States or the 10Th and goth of May:
Mr.. Sumner, of Massachusetts, de-
livercd speech in which he re-
hected injnriously upon the State
of South Carolina, and was par
ticulally offensive to Senator But
Ter, who is my relative. [ prefer
red to see the published speech,
and saw it for the first time on
Wednesday morning.
The Objectionable passages are
to be found on the fifth, twenty
ninth and thirtieth pages of Mr.,
Summers speech, which | have
marked with pen, and are as tol-
lows; But before entering upon
tha argument, &c.
AS soon as I had read the speech
I felt it my duty to infict some re-
turn for the insult to my State
and relative. On "Wednesday l
took a seat in the Capitol grounds
expecting Mr.. Sumner to pass.
While going down the lower steps
of the Capitol met Mr.. Edmund
son, of Virginia, who is my per-
sonal friend, and asked him to
walk with me to the seat. l then
informed him that it was my pur-
pose to see Mr.. Sumner, and that
as he might be accompanied by
several of his friends, | desired
him to remain with me as wit
ness and for nothing else. [ also
enioined upon him on no account
to interfere. Mr.. Sumner did not
pass by while we were so seated,
though we remained until half
past u o'clock. My colleague, Mr..
Keitt, Joined us a few moments
before we returned to the House,
aud SO did Senator Johnson, OF
Arkansas. Neither one of them
were informed of my purpose du-
ring that day. During the night
of Wednesday, and about 10
o'clock, informed my colleague,
Mr.. Keitt, and Mr.. Orr, of my pur-
pose. The next morning at II
o'clock I took my position in the
Porter's Lodge to intercept Mr..
Sumner. again waited until half
past y o'clock-the hour at which
both Houses of Congress meet.
While in the Porter's Lodge Mr..
Edmundson, on his way TO the Gap
itol, saw me and came in of his
own accord. He and | went to the
House together. Mr.. keitt went
that morning to Baltimore.
Being twice disappointed, l de-
termined 10 keep my eye on Mr..
Summer, and knowing that the
Senate would adjourn at an early
hour, l went to the Senate and
stood without the bar until it did
adjourn. Mr.. Sumner continued
within the hall, though he did not
all the time retain his seat. lie
had upon his desk a large number
of his speech, and was, when not
;ato,,,,4o1 on,Dlovn1 in fronkIno