Charles Sumner
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Preston Brooks, of South Carolina. Its little understood today that there was a meaning to the method of Brook's assault. Brooks beat Sumner with a cane. If Brooks had considered Sumner to be a "gentleman", he would have challenged Sumner to a duel. By simply attacking and beating him he was saying that Sumner was not a gentleman, and did not deserve the respect one should accord a gentleman.
The "Beating of Sumner" on May 22nd 1856 caused polarizing reactions in the North and the South. In the nNorthern States, there was a furious backlash and Brooks was seen as a monster and fuelled the idea that the Southern Statyes were violent and uncivilised. In the South, however, Brooks was seen as a hero and was even gifted canes from the Southern population as a reward for his attack.
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.
Charels Sumner.
Preston Brooks beat Sumner after Sumner made a speech in Senate about senators having sex with their slaves ( that's taboo) and called them out by name. Preston Brooks father-in-law was called out and Preston Brooks heard about it and walked from the House of Representatives and into the senate and beat Charles Sumner with his cane and sent him into a coma. No one helped Sumner. Brooks wasn't arrested. As a matter of fact supporters of Brooks sent him more canes to "keep up the good work".