The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-09-16

Like other biographies of the series this
lifs Of Simmer deals rather with his pubio
than lis private life, only so many details
OF the latter being given as are necessary
10 round cut the picture OF the statesman.
The first passage of especial interest &C.
ours in a characteT-sketch in the chapter
which treats of Sumner as young man.
The author says, in discussing she Win,
throp affair:
Il is impossible net to share Winihrop's feeling
that Summers language was Insun-istout with the
continuance OF their personal relations. With
many men, the desire TO retain such relations in
private, while making such attacks in public,
w0uld imply in.inccrity. BIT Sumner really
% thought thai such language might pr, perry be
used WHERE suen OF equal integrity differed on
public question; that he could ii euss whether hi-
opponent governed b, eNpediency or COW
stdice, and THAT his opponent would regard II
IS an imPeEsIral question of general human in
tere.t
That is remarkably good,
This inability to realize his adversarys feelings
led him often to use strong expressions appro-
pirate TO the action attacked and often 10 be
surprised that his words corsilcred offensive
Eis nature atttctiorGts ana andy and ne
WAS absolutely sincere, ont he lacked the sense
NJ humoT. and this. per laps explains whs he 50
iunoc,ntly gave such bitter offence. Living the
HE a = student, and much alone he ocel3pied in
thought the historical standpoint; ne apaHtd TO
current cyonts aid contemporary yhe his
toncal treatment, and what he th5uGbt il his
cioset he said openly. unooaciqu Us apparent that
living wiahed TO sntieiuate The adverse
verdict of history.
In connection with the recent work of
John Jay Chapman en- practical politics,
enc CT Summers early speeches is inter
esting. Mr.. Chapman is not in favor of
reform organizations. believing rather,
that all great movements must be brought
about by the silently acting and powerful
force CT public opinion. This was exactly
the power which Sumner invoked-the
weapon which Mr.. Chapman believes can
be welded by one man who appeals to the
enlightened sense of the community on
any great question. Sumner said, apropos
CT the fugitive slave law:
cannot believe il.at this LII viii be exeeut-
ed here. But let me k understood; counsel 10
violence. There is another power stronger than
any individual whici. ! invoke; ! mean that
irresistible pubic opinion Inspired by love of
God and which. withou. violence noise,
gently rs til. ,perauons Q; r=;ure, MAKES and
unmakCs laws. Let iris public opinion be felt
in ite might, and the I; citis,. Slave law viii be-
come eyerywnerr among Us dead letter. No
lawyer viii aid it nv COUNSEL. no citizen vii! re
its agent: it will die OF hamilton. lKe 4 spider
beneSth an exhausted reeeiTt.
A particularly interesting chapter is
that which deals with the arg Iment
over The repeal CT the Missouri Compro-
mise. The present biographsr oannJe b =
said to be partial, inasmuch as he fire.
ly quotes all of those passages in Sum
ner's speeches whi1h, in their tm,,
aroused the bitterest resentment TIE
general spirit Of the book is, howovsr.
naturally favorable to sumner. aud IN
the following chapter, which scribes
the assault made On him by Be- oks,
some particulars are given VIII show
more plainly. perhaps. than anything
else could. the infi2med state of puDl:c
opinion at that time and the s anicris
CT morals inculcated by certain fire.
eating Southern newspapers and leaders.
The peculiar feature Of the inc dent
which r.ade it 4 national affair was the
attitude taken by the Southern press
and people.
II will be remembered that some in
temperate utterances OF Sumner which
are quoted in full by MIR. Stcrey-aroused
the Indignation of the friends CT Senator
Butler of South Carolina, who fell that
through their representative their State
had been insGlted; and that Preston 5
Brooks. Representative from that State,
and the son of Senator Buffers cousin,
took it upon himself TO avenge this insult
by personal chastisemeE; Of the offending
Massachusetts Senator.
II must be admitted that il any s3rt
of public utterances deserved TO be re
scented In this fashion, those of Sumner
we're scathing and abusive enough L
provoke such action, although pl5l-c
men were not in these days nearly as
careful of their language as they are
now. The general sentiment of the co N
try now, however, is that to hit a man
over the head with a cane convin -es
NJ bod oil
ly puts the wielder Of the cane in an
UNPLEASANT position. II is not Gems
cred by most intelligent people at the
present day that public man increases
his reputation for either brains or b av-
cry by engaging in a free fight on the
floor OF q public building with anybody.
Still less would he command respect by
doing what Brooks openly avcws he did
selecting a time when his victim was
hindered from defending himself taking
him by surprise, and belaboring him
while unarmed and unprepared. in 1856
IL was different.
Mr.. Storey says:
The language used by the defenders Of BROOKS
was amazing In October his constituents gave
him public dinner. I'm testimony Of their com
tjlete endorsement Of his Congressional course.
and invited Senator Mason, Of Virginia, and JET
ferson Davis. the Secretary Of War. Both wrote.
regrettiDg their inability to accept. and III cold
blood, months after the assault Mason sid Of
Brooks: Il know Of none whose public oareG
hold more worthy Of the full and cordial approba-
ton of his constituents than his. He has shown
himself alike able and prompt TO sustain the
rights and the interests Of his constituents IN de-
bate and BY vote, TO yindicate in different
MODE snA under circumstances Of painful duty.
tie honor OF his friend Davis expressed ms
'sh;eh regard and esteem for Brooks, and has
s'syn,iyathy with the feeling which prompted the
sous of Carolina TO welcome the return OF
l,-off --a7o has bpeu
Misrepresentation, and persecution because he
resented hbelous attack upon the reputation OIL
their mother"
In the debate members defended and appiandcd
the act OF Brooks. Public meetings were held in
bis honor Students at the University OF Virginia
voted TO send MIN cane with heavy gold bead,
which will be suitably inscribed. and also bear
upon IL "a device Of the human head badly crack
ed and brokea" The Richmond Enquirer" in
reporting this meeting added, The chiyalry Of
the South. it seems, has been thoroughly aroua-
ed" Similar testimonials were sent him IN great
numbers from all psTts OF the South On June
II the same newspaper said ''In the main, the
press Of the South sPplauds the conduct OF Mr..
Brooks without condition or limitation. Our 1p-
probating, at least, is entire and unreseryed; we
consider the act good in conception, better IN
execution, and best Of all in consequence
. II was proper act, done at the proper
time and in the proper place"
These are but specimens OF numerous nttersnces
by the recognized leaders and the public press
Of the South. BY the open approval OF many,
and BY the silence Of others who could not ap-
pland such brutal and oogardly assault, the
South made the act Of Brooks its own, and that,
which as the crime Of an individual might have
passed almost unheeded. became by adoption the
crime Of the whole pro-slsyery party.
The assault and the manner in which il was
received excited general and intense indjgna-
ton at the North, expressed in the resolutions OF
setts Legislature, the speeches and letters Of
leading men in every walk Of life and Of all po-