The caning of Charles Sumner occurred on May 22, 1856, in the U.S. Senate chamber when Congressman Preston Brooks brutally attacked Senator Sumner with a cane. This violent act was in response to a speech Sumner delivered criticizing pro-slavery forces in Kansas and specifically targeting Brooks's relative, Senator Andrew Butler. The incident highlighted the intense sectional conflicts over slavery and increased tensions leading up to the Civil War, garnering national attention and polarizing public opinion. Brooks was praised by many in the South, while Sumner became a martyr for the anti-slavery cause.
Charles sumnerIn the mind of Brooks, Sumner had violated some code of honor which should be avenged by fighting a duel. But Brooks felt that Sumner, by attacking Butler when he was home recuperating and not present in the Senate, had shown himself not to be a gentlemen deserving of the honor of dueling. Brooks thus reasoned that the proper response was for Sumner to be beaten, with a whip or a cane.
Congressman Charles Sumner was attacked by Preston Brooks, a Democratic Congressman from South Carolina, on May 22, 1856. Brooks assaulted Sumner in the Senate chamber, using a cane to beat him senseless. This violent act was in response to Sumner's anti-slavery speech, which Brooks found deeply offensive. The incident highlighted the rising tensions over slavery in the United States during that period.
On March 19,1856 Republican Senator Charles Sumner started a violent speech on the topic "The crime against Kansas". He attacked the pro-slavery establishment and parliamentary representatives in general but he addressed himself particularly against the old Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina, who, some days before energetically sustained the Kansas had to be admitted in the Union as a slave State.Indeed, Sumner's attitude and verbal attack against Butler were really excessive and, when the speech was over, the nephew of Butler, Honorable Preston Books,seized by anger approached Sumner and hit him five or six time on the head with his walking stick, knocking him down bleeding and unconscious.The happening contributed to worsen further on the tensions and enlarge the furrow already in being between North and SouthRead more: How_did_charles_sumners_views_on_bleeding_kansas_create_conflict
On March 19,1856 Republican Senator Charles Sumner started a violent speech on the topic "The crime against Kansas". He attacked the pro-slavery establishment and parliamentary representatives in general but he addressed himself particularly against the old Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina, who, some days before energetically sustained the Kansas had to be admitted in the Union as a slave State. Indeed, Sumner's attitude and verbal attack against Butler were really excessive and, when the speech was over, the nephew of Butler, Honorable Preston Books, seized by anger approached Sumner and hit him five or six time on the head with his walking stick, knocking him down bleeding and unconscious. The happening contributed to worsen further on the tensions and enlarge the furrow already in being between North and South
The increasing political conflict between North and South. (Apex)
Charles Sumner.
Brooks beat Summers with a cane after Summers criticized slave owners, supporters of slaves, and Preston's cousin. It took Summers months to recover.
Preston Brooks
In May 22, 1856 Preston Brooks was acused for beating Charles Sumner with his own cane. Preston only had a $300 fine to the federal court. It took three years for Charles Sumner to gain his strength back in order to retern to his senate duties.
(CongressMan Preston Brooks)
Senator Charles Sumner
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It showed that passions over slavery were becoming dangerously inflamed in the North and the South.
The increasing political conflict between North and South ~Apex
canes were sent to him by many people
The caning of Charles Sumner occurred right here in the United States Congress in 1856. Charles Sumner was beaten nearly to death with a cane by Preston Brooks. Preston Brooks was upset over an anti-slavery speech given by Charles Sumner a few days before.