The Caning of SenatorThe Caning of SenatorCharles SumnerCharles Sumner

Presentation created by Robert Martinez Primary Content Source: Story of US

On May 22, 1856, the floor of the On May 22, 1856, the floor of the U.S. Senate became a combat U.S. Senate became a combat

zone.zone.

In one of the most dramatic moments in In one of the most dramatic moments in the Senate’s entire history, a member the Senate’s entire history, a member

of the House of Representatives of the House of Representatives entered the Senate Chamber and entered the Senate Chamber and

savagely beat a senator into savagely beat a senator into unconsciousness.unconsciousness.

This incident began three days earlier This incident began three days earlier when Senator Charles Sumner, a when Senator Charles Sumner, a

Massachusetts antislavery Republican, Massachusetts antislavery Republican, addressed the Senate on the explosive addressed the Senate on the explosive

issue of whether Kansas should be issue of whether Kansas should be admitted to the Union as a slave or free admitted to the Union as a slave or free

state.state.

Charles Sumner

In his “In his “Crime against KansasCrime against Kansas” ” speech, Sumner negatively called speech, Sumner negatively called

out two Democratic senators, out two Democratic senators, Stephen Douglas of Illinois and Stephen Douglas of Illinois and

Andrew Butler of South Carolina.Andrew Butler of South Carolina.

Douglas Butler

To his face, Sumner called To his face, Sumner called Douglas a “Douglas a “noise-some, squat, noise-some, squat,

and nameless animal…not a and nameless animal…not a proper model for an American proper model for an American

senatorsenator.”.”

Senator Stephen DouglasSenator Charles Sumner

Mocking Senator Andrew Butler as a Mocking Senator Andrew Butler as a man of chivalry, the Massachusetts man of chivalry, the Massachusetts senator charged him with taking a senator charged him with taking a ““mistress…who, though ugly to mistress…who, though ugly to others, is always lovely to him; others, is always lovely to him; though polluted in the sight of the though polluted in the sight of the world, is chaste in his sight – I world, is chaste in his sight – I mean,” added Sumner, “the harlot, mean,” added Sumner, “the harlot, SlaverySlavery.”.”

Congressman Preston Brooks was Congressman Preston Brooks was Butler’s South Carolina relative. If Butler’s South Carolina relative. If he had believed Sumner to be a he had believed Sumner to be a

gentlemen, he might have gentlemen, he might have challenged him to a duel. Instead, challenged him to a duel. Instead,

he chose a light cane used to he chose a light cane used to discipline unruly dogs.discipline unruly dogs.

Shortly after the Senate had Shortly after the Senate had adjourned for the day, Brooks adjourned for the day, Brooks

entered the old chamber, where he entered the old chamber, where he found Sumner busy stamping copies found Sumner busy stamping copies

of his “of his “Crime against KansasCrime against Kansas” ” speech.speech.

Moving quickly, Brooks slammed his Moving quickly, Brooks slammed his metal-topped cane onto the metal-topped cane onto the unsuspecting Sumner’s head. As unsuspecting Sumner’s head. As Brooks struck again and again, Brooks struck again and again, Sumner rose and lurched blindly Sumner rose and lurched blindly about the chamber, futilely about the chamber, futilely attempting to protect himself.attempting to protect himself.

After a very long minute, the After a very long minute, the violence ended. Bleeding profusely, violence ended. Bleeding profusely, Senator Sumner was carried away.Senator Sumner was carried away.

Congressman Brooks walked calmly Congressman Brooks walked calmly out of the chamber without being out of the chamber without being

detained by the stunned onlookers. detained by the stunned onlookers. Overnight, both men became Overnight, both men became

heroes in their respective regions.heroes in their respective regions.

Facing a Congressional censure Facing a Congressional censure resolution, Brooks resigned, was resolution, Brooks resigned, was immediately reelected, and soon immediately reelected, and soon thereafter died at the age of 37.thereafter died at the age of 37.

Sumner recovered slowly and Sumner recovered slowly and returned to the Senate, where he returned to the Senate, where he remained for another 18 years.remained for another 18 years.

If men of reason could not If men of reason could not manage themselves in a civilized manage themselves in a civilized

manner in our nations capitol, manner in our nations capitol, what tragedy lay ahead for the what tragedy lay ahead for the

Untied States.Untied States.