The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1895-06-19
STATEMENT OF MR.. BROOKS
In Regard to the-Caning of the Hon
Charles Sumner in 1856.
co|nmb;o Evenino N.ws


Charles Sumner in 1856.
Columbia Evening News.
The following is the original statement
of the Hon Preston S. Brooks, giving an
account of the hogging administered by
him to Charles Sumner. it recalls q
stormy time, wherein event followed event
in swift succession.
In personal l;fc Mr. Brooks was fearless
" brave and upright, possessing qualities
that to this day render his memory dear
to the community in which he lived. The
charge circulated by Northern papers I'M
pngning his courage was wholly false.
There never was a drawer man He might
have erred in Judgment. But that WAS all
He was Il lair and fine type of tn? oll-tllne
Southern gentleman. with all the chlvnl-
ronS qualities which that elder time began,
and Of which it fur ished so many bril-
liant illustrations.
But with the writer of these lines all the
interest centers in the peaceful, quiet and
brooding Solemnity of Leaside. where II
stands in its desolation to-day overlooking
two verdant and fertile valleys, set In
framework of hills and calling to life
thousand Slumbering echoes from other
yearS.-desolate now, but beauteons once
with the fine faces of lovely women, whose
peers were not found in all the land, aid
whose presence lent a glaEor to the place
which it is all rifed of since.
We are strayinS upon dangerous ground
for the memories of Ninety-Six are so rich
and full that the heart will lnger too long
upon them But not to eu!er land where
every hill has its history and every vale Its
legend, without 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 on
tie 10Th and Goth of May Mr. Sumner OF
Massachusetts delivered a speech in which
he reflected injuriousiy upon the State OF
South Carolina, and was particularly Or
fensive to Senator Butler, who is my reia.
tive I preferred to see the published
speech, and SAW it for the first time on
Wednesday morning.
The Objectionable passages are to he
found on the fifth, twenty-ninth aid thlr-
have marked with 4 pen, and are as fol-
lows: But before entering upon the arsu-
ment, etc.
"As soon as I had read the speech felt
| it my duty to inhict some return for the
Insult 10 lDN SldtC tuu
'On Wednesday l took seat IN the
capitol grounds expecting Mr.. Sumner to
pass. While going down the lower steps
of the capitol l met Mr. Edmnndson ot
Virginia, who is my personal 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
m gilt be accompanied by several tnendS'
| | desired him to remain with me as wit
n ,ss and for nothing else. also enJolned
upon him on no account to Interfere.
MIR. summer did not pass while we were
so seated, though we remained until half
past twelve o'clock My colleague, Mr..
| Keitt, Joined US few moments before we
returned to the House, and so did Senator
johnson of Arkansas. Neither one OF
them was informed of my purpose during
that day.
During the night of Wednesday, and
about ten o'clock, informed my colleague,
MIR. Keitt, and MIR. Orr of my purpose.
The next morning at eleven o'clock l took
nv position at the porters lodge to inter
cept Mr.. Sumner. I again waited until
half-past twelve o'c!ock-the hour at which
both houses of Congress meet.
"While in the porter's lodge Mr.. Ell
mundson-on his way to the capitol-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, determined
to keep my eye on Mr. Sumner, and know
ING that the Senate would adjourn at an
early hour I went to the Senate aud stood
without the bar until it did adjourn.
"Mr. Sumner continued within the hall.
though he did not all the time retain his
seat. He Lad upon his desk a large
number of his speech, and was-when not
interrupted ed-employed in franking them.
Several ladies continued in the hall-some
On the floor and some in the gallery.
Il waited until the last lady left and
then approached Mr.. Sumner In front and
said: MIR. Sumner, I have read your last
speech with care and as much lmpartlallty
as is possible under the circumstances,
and feel it my duty to say that you have
libeled my State and slandered my klns-
man, who is aged and absent, and l have
come to punish you for 1t.
"As I uttered the word punish Mr..
Sumner offered to rise, and when about
half erect I struck him o slight blow With
the smaller end of my cane. He then
arose fully erect and endeavored to make
battle. I was then compelled to strike him
harder than I had intended. About the
| fifth blow he ceased to resist, and l mod
Grated my blows.
II continued to strike Mr.. Sumner until
he fell, when I ceased. Idid not strike Mr..
Sumner after he had fallen. The cane
used by ME was an ordinary walking-stick.
made of gutta-percha and hollow. used
it because it was light and elastic, and be-
cause fancied it would not break.
The cane had been presented to ms by
friend tull three months past. 1t had a
thin gold head, and was net loaded or even
heavy. Mr. Simmer was never struck
with the larger end of the cane.
when Mr.. Cr!ttenden took hold of me
and said something like ''don't kill him. "
I replied that I had no wish to injure him
severely, but only to fog him.
Il went to the Senate alone; asked no
one to 60 or to be with me. Indeed, no
one knew Of my purpose to assail Mr..
Sumner in the Senate, nor would l have
done so had it not become manifest that
he would remain in the seat to very late
hour.
The three gentlemen who alone knew
of my purpose were not present when the
attack was made. Neither Mr.. Or nor Mr.
Edmundson were present at any time OF
the affray to my knowledge. MIR. keitt
came up when it was about half over.
Il deem it proper to add that the assault
upon Mr. Sumner was not because OF his
political principles but because of the in-
shifting language used in reference to MY
State and absent relative.
'sP s. BROOKS.
House of Representatives. May Is. 1856.