The Caning of a Senator

[Pryderi]

After watching Sensenbrenner, I thought this would be somewhat appropriate.

1851-1877

May 22, 1856
The Caning of Senator Charles Sumner

On May 22, 1856, the "world's greatest deliberative body" became a combat zone. In one of the most dramatic and deeply ominous moments in the Senate's entire history, a member of the House of Representatives entered the Senate chamber and savagely beat a senator into unconsciousness.

The inspiration for this clash came three days earlier when Senator Charles Sumner, a Massachusetts antislavery Republican, addressed the Senate on the explosive issue of whether Kansas should be admitted to the Union as a slave state or a free state. In his "Crime Against Kansas" speech, Sumner identified two Democratic senators as the principal culprits in this crime—Stephen Douglas of Illinois and Andrew Butler of South Carolina. He characterized Douglas to his face as a "noise-some, squat, and nameless animal . . . not a proper model for an American senator." Andrew Butler, who was not present, received more elaborate treatment. Mocking the South Carolina senator's stance as a man of chivalry, the Massachusetts senator charged him with taking "a mistress . . . who, though ugly to others, is always lovely to him; though polluted in the sight of the world, is chaste in his sight—I mean," added Sumner, "the harlot, Slavery."

Representative Preston Brooks was Butler's South Carolina kinsman. If he had believed Sumner to be a gentleman, he might have challenged him to a duel. Instead, he chose a light cane of the type used to discipline unruly dogs. Shortly after the Senate had adjourned for the day, Brooks entered the old chamber, where he found Sumner busily attaching his postal frank to copies of his "Crime Against Kansas" speech.

Moving quickly, Brooks slammed his metal-topped cane onto the unsuspecting Sumner's head. As Brooks struck again and again, Sumner rose and lurched blindly about the chamber, futilely attempting to protect himself. After a very long minute, it ended.
<snip>

[merbex]

1. Almost killed too; we named a tunnel after Sumner here in

Boston

The "descendants"of Brooks live on in Congress. While violence doesn't occur a certain Chairman of a Committee comes to mind as to not being able to handle free speech

[acmejack]

2. Yesterday was equally disturbing.

The question is what can be done in retribution to Sensenbrenner, who merits such IMO. Yesterday was the most disgraceful event this long time watcher of the House can recall.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

4. Best thing to do

imho, is run the tape of him dismissing the committee again and again, showing his contempt of the Constitution and of Congress. Where in Wisconsin is his district (I know its not Madison :) )? Can there be a groundswell of disgust coming from there, or from people in his state?

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. It took a long time for the Senator to recover

from his injuries. Southerners congratulated the culprit, mailing him canes in admiration, whick only enraged Northerners more.This action and its aftermath only added to the crisis that eventually erupted into Civil War.

Sensenbrenner acted in the aloof manner towards the Democrats that reminds me of the arrogance of the antebellum planter class in the South.