The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, June 13, 1902, Image 1
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K "T&BLISHED 186-5. ______RT, i FRI_ NY9__________
CANING OF CHARLES SUMNER
IN THE UNITED STATE4 SENATE FOR
INSULTING soUrS CAROLINA.
Col. McClure's Incorrect 'Rambling Recol
leCtions" of the Incident in the Senate
Are let Straight by Mr. John R.
Tompkins of Mobile, a Friend
and Admirer of Preston s
flooks--The Load of
Sia That Rests on
New England.
To Editor of The Times Democrat.
Col. McClure's "Ramdom Recol
lections," always interesting, are not
at all times strictly accurate. It is
lucid and able, he has won friends
at the south since the surrender, be
cause he has been brave enough to
be just to her people, but be, too,
was a bitter partisan before the war,
and views the occurrences of that
period from the partisan standpuint.
I grow weary of hearing history
writers referring to Brooks' blud
geon and brutality in connection
with the caning of Charles Sum
ner in the vacant United States
denate chamber in 1856. Pres
ton S. Brooks, the South Car.
olina congressman, was no brute,
neither was the delicate gutta percha
walking cane with which he stained
the famous "bloody shirt" with
stripes across the back and shouldere
of the Massachusetts. senator a
"bludgeon," as Col. McClure calls
it. It was but a substitute for the
cowhide used in those chivalric days
by brave men on hose willing to
wound, but afraid to strike. The
south owes it to Preston S Brooks'
gallant name and fame to rescue it
from the stigma of "brate and bully."
I knew him well, as the highest type
of a refined and hereditarily courtly
South Caiolina gentleman, and the
wcrld's civilization furnishos none
higher. I grew to manhood almost
under the shadow of his -ucestral
home.
His youngest brother, C' pt. J.
Hampton Brooks, who distinguished
humself at Petersburg and at other
southern battlefields, as my beloved
companion and schoolfellow about
the date of the incident in question.
During the pa summer, in the vil
lage cemetery of my boyhood's home,
at Edgefield, I lingered long at the
early made grave of iry honored
boyhood friends, Hon. Preston S.
Brooks, and that of his other patriotic
brother, Whitfield Butten Brooks,
killed, as his monument recites, at
t.he battle of Cherubuseo, with the
simple inquiry on his dying, boyish
lips, "Have.I done my duty ?" to re-~
ceive the benediction of his cowman
der. "You are an honor to yourself,
your family and your country."
Preston S. Brooks was a true ty pe
of southern manhood of his day
as Charles Summer was a counter
part of the lettered New England
statesmen of the same period. New
England, from which slavery in all
its abhorrent aspe -ts was unloaded
on the south, did more to fos-er sec
tional hatred by its abuse of the
south and its "peculiar institut.ions,"
than all other sections of the union.
It.s writers and speakers called it
"Inflaming the northern minds,"
and it inflamed.
The writer was educated in part
at a New England college just be
fore the war troke out, and observed
this inflammng business on the part
of the New England schoolboys
towards those of the south; it matter
ed not that the southern boys would
sometimes thrash hale a dozen of
them in a day, it did [not deter their
insult and derision of southern people
and their institutions.
Southern literary societies were or
ganized at Yale, Cambhridge and
PrmeeIon to avoid this sectional fric.
tion even among seboolboys of that
period. We never h ad t rouble with
New York nor Western students-it
all came from New England-that
immemorial hot bed of cant anid
fanaticism -the legit imate inheri
tane" of the Paritau aind round beads
who so largely popnlated that section
of the col nies, and who were as ds
tinct from thbe Cavaliers and Hugne
nots, whose blood floweo so freely
through the Southern veins as were
Preston S. Brooks and Charles Sum
ner.
Of coure, there were marked ex
ceptions to this New Fngland char
acteristic as noted in men like
Webster, Pierce and Seymour, of
Connecticut. Yet, most of New
England's statesmen of that period
were highly learned, but intensely
fanatical in zealously fanning popu
lar prejudice against what they
called "brutal Southern slave own
ers," such as Harriet Beecher Stowe
cast in the characters of "Uncle
Tom's Cabin."
Brooks was a strikingly handsome,
spare-built man. Only a few years
previous to the Sumner allair (the
interpretation of conditions then ex
isting rather thaxi the outburst of an
impetuous Southerner,) he had not
long before been shot down in a duel
with Louis T. Wigfall on a sandbar
in the Savannah >ar, just below
Augusta. His health had been shat
tered by the climate of Mexico, where
he commanded a company in the
Palmetto regiment, which did such
gallant service in the war with that
country. He was physically per
haps less vigorous than Sumner, and
but a few years his junior, and had
the learned Massachusetts states
man been as ready to back his words
as he was to deliver them, and as
Brooks was to resent them, Sumner
might have been the victor in the
affair. Sumner had, the day before,
delivered on the floor of the senate
a bitter philippic against the State
of South Carolina, in which he as
sailed Senator A. P. Butler with
persoual and offensive criticism,
while the latter was absent from
Washington. It was a speech emi
nently characteristic of New Eng
land statesmanship at that piriod,
more foi home consumption in -he
progressive works of inflaming the
Northern heart. Brooks read the
speech and was exasperated; he was
in the lower house and could not re
ply to it. He instinctively yielded
to the Southern method of answer
ing insults. He waited until the
senate adjourned and dispersed; but
Sumner lingered at his desk doubt
less with some misgiving of what
might follow. At any rate, Brooks
went to the senate chamber to look
for him. The senatorial body which
gave sanctity to the place had dis
persed. Brooks lingered at the door
until satisfied that Sumner did not
intend leaving the chamber, and as
he sat writing at his desk, Brooks
walked up in a manly way and said:
"Sir, you have traduced my State.
You have insulted my aged and ab
gent kinsman, and I propose to pun
ih you for it," and as deliberately
began to lnsh him across the shoul
ders; and instead of showing resent
ment he was well able to give, Sum
ncr yelled like a whipped boy. He
threw up two strong arms abundant
ly capable of defense and offense,
and cried out like a woman, "I am
dead. I am dent4. I am almost
dead."
It was then and there that Brooks
stained the famous bloody shirt
which soon found its way to a glass
in the Boston museum, as a part of
the inflaming program.- While Sum
ner for several years played the
martyr, as many people then
thought, not from the physical effect
of a brutal cowhiding to which he
tamely submitted, but - to mask the
contempt brave men at the North
and South felt for him Burlingame
of the house felt it, and challenged
Brooks, and the challenge was ac
cepted, but Burlingatme insisted on
going to Canada to fight,while Brooks
asserted his right to fight nearer
home. Brooks was expelled and
wanted to be governor of Southb Caro
lna, but the people rte elected him
unanimously, and be returned to
congress and died in Washington
city of something like diphtheria be
fore his succeeding term expiied.
Instead of being condemned at the
South, as Col. McClure states, he re
ceived walking caues enough to fill a
small house with re.solutions of
Southern appreciation and gratitude.
Brooks died not a brute and bully in
public estimation, but as an honored
type of the true Southern gentleman
of his'day. Had Charles Suwner
lived South instead of in New Eng
land, he would have died with the
stigma of poltroon and coward to
have forever blnrred his etceon.
I do not mean to reflect on the
memory of New England's dead, but
to defend that of the beloved and
honored friend of my boyhood
the very Alcebiades of his day and
the prototype of thousands like him
in the South, who sleep in blood
stained graves-martyrs to New
England fanaticism and misguided
philanthropy. Over the graves of
Preston S. Brooks and of Charles
Sumner the most appropriate inscrip
tion to both would be 0, tempora;
0, mores.
John M. Tompkins.
Mobile, April 22, 1902.
STATEMENT OF MR. BROOKS.
In the senate of the United States
on the 9th and 20th of May, Mr.
Sumner of Massachusetts delivered a
speech in which he reflected injuri
ously upon the State of South Caro
lina and was particularly offensive
to Senator Butler, who is my rela
tive. I preferred to see the pub
lished speech and saw it for the first
time on Wednesday morning.
The objectionable passages are to
be found on the 5th, 29th and 30th
pages of Mr. Sumner's speech, which
I have marked with a pen and are
as follows: But before entering
upon the argument, &c.
As soon as I had read the speech
I felt it my duty to inflict some re
turn for the insult to my State and
relative. On Wednesday I took a
seat in the capitol grounds expecting
Mr. Sumner to pass. While going
down the lower steps of the capitol
I met Mr. Edmundson of Virginia,
who is my personal friend, and asked
1io to walk with me to the seat. I
then informed him that it was my
purpose to see Mr. Sumner and that
as he might be accompanied by sev
ral of his friends I desired him to
remain with me as a witness and for
nothing else. I also enjoined upon
him on no account to intefere. Mr.
Sumner did not pass by while we
were so seated though we remained
ntil half.past 12 o'clock. My col
league, Mr. Keitt, joined us a few
moments before we returned to the
hcuse and so did Senator Johnson of
Arkansas. Neither one of them
were informed of my purpose during
the day.During the night of Wednes
lay ancA about 10 o'clock I informed
my colleague, Mr. Keitt, and Mr.
rr of my purpose. The next morn
ing at 11 o'clock I took my position
in the porter's lodge to incercept Mr.
Sumner. I again waited until half
past 12 o'clock-the hour at which
both houses of congress meet. While
in the porter's lodge Mr. Edmundson
n his way to the capitol saw me and
ame in of his'own accord. He and
I went to the house together. Mr.
Keitt went that morning to Balti
more.
Being twice disappointed, I de
termined to keep my eye on Mr.
Sumner, and knowing that the sen
ate would adjourn at an early hour,
I went to the senate and stood with
out the bar until it did adjourn. Mr.
Sumner continued within the hall
though he did not all the time re
tain his seat. He had upon his desk
a number of copies of his speech an,d
was, when not interrupted, employed
in franking them. Several ladies
continued in the hall, some on the
floor and some in the gallery.
I waited until the last lady left
and then approached Mr. Sumner in
front and said: "Mr. Sumner I have
read your last speech with care and
as mnch impartiality as is possible
under the circumstances, and I feel
it my duty to say that yoo have
libeled my State and slandered my
kinsman who is aged and absent,
and I have come to punish you for
iti." As I uttered the word puuis.h
Mr. Sumner offered to rise, and
when about half erect I struck him a
.light blow with the smaller end of
mycane. He then arose folly erect
and endeavored to make battle. 1
was then compelled to strike him
harder t han I intended. A bout thbe fift h
blow he ceased to resist and 1 moder
ted by blows. I continued to st rike
Mr. Sumner until he fell, when I
ceased. I did not strike Mr. Sumi
ner after he had fallen The caue
used by me was an ordinary walk
ing stick made of gut ta percha and
hollow I used it because it was ligh t
and elastic and because I fancied it
would not break. The cane had
been presented to me be by a friend
full three months past. It had a
thin gold head and was not loaded
or even heavy. Mr. Sumner was
never struck with the larger end of
the cane. When Mr. Crittenden
took hold of me and said something
like "don't kill him," I replied that
I had no wish to injure him severely,
but unly to flog him.
I went to the senate alone, asked
no one to go or to be with me. In
deed no one knew of my purpos 3 to
assail Mr. Sumner in the Senate,
nor would I have done so had it not
become manifest that he would re
main in the seat to a very late hour.
The three gentlemen who alone
knew of my purpose were neither
present when t'e attack was made.
Neither Mr. Orr or Mr. Edmundson
was present at any time of the af
fray to my knowledge. Mr. Keitt
came up when it was about half
over.
I deem it proper to add that the
assault upon Mr. Sumner was not
because of his political principles,
but because of the insulting lan
guage used in reference to my State
and absent relative.
P. S. Brooks.
House of Representatives,
28 May, 1856.
L sOl FIXCRS WALK our.
Another Pea-.ii Striwe in the King M11.
[Special to The State. J
Augusta, May 30.--A new vein
was opened in the King mill strike
this morning by the loom fixers of
that institution walking out unex
pectedly. A week ago, the day be
fore the mill started running again
after being closed down six weeks,
President Thomas agreed with the
Carolina committee to give the loom
fixers a cent and a half per loom
more than they were getting, which
was all they asked for, and it was
thought they were satisfied. Event
ually all of them went back into the
mill and their part of the work was
moving along all right with every
indication that there would be no
more trouble so far as they were
concerned. There has, however, been
an undercurrent, and this morning
from 15 to 18, so the union leaders
state, about all employed in the
mill, walked out after the bell rang
and the mill started up.
The loom fixers' union held a
meeting in the hail over Dr. Smith's
drug store in West End last night
aid those of the members in the
King mill decided after considering
the n~ atter not to accept the conces
sions made them unless the conces
sions were made general in all de
partments and the conclusion of the
meeting was that they would not go
to work today. So far this has not
effected the other mills with the
unions. They say they have no
fight on the other mills and will con
tinue at their work in them. From
their side, though, the strike has not
been ended in the King mill and
they intend to contine it until they
win out. -
President Thomas of the King
mill said this morning that the walk
out of the loom fixers would not
effect the running of the mill at all,
that the King and all the other mills
will keep running right along.
He said their places have already
been practically filled. The mill did
not hav~e work enough to keep them
all supplied, but that they were
kept simply because they went back
aftr the mill s arted up again. He
says be has a number of applications
for theso positions and there will b)e
no trouble in tilling them. As to
the cause of the walk out he says
he was told it was on an order from
Secretary Hibbert of the National
Textile Union.
Howv to avoid 1 rouble.
Now i- th- time to provide yoursenlf
andl f mit' w ith a houlet of (Chamnb-r
lai's (otlit, (hiera and Diarrhoa
1i"mntdy. It is almost certain to be
t:eedd hofo'e rte summer is over, and
if procured now nayV save you a trip to
town in th-' night or in your busiest
saon. It is everywhere admitted to
e the most succes4ful medicine in use
for howel complaints, both for children
andit aduhs No) family caun affor'd to be
without it. For sale by W. E. Pelham
THE CAMPAIGN MEFTINGS.
The State Democratic Executive Commit
tee Arranged the %chedulex.
The sub committee of the State
Democratic executive committee met
in Columbia on the 26th of May,
and adopted the schedules for the
two sets of campaign meetings as
provided in the amendment to the
constitution which was adopted at
the recent convention of the party.
Upon motion of Governor Mc
Sweeney, the chairn an and secretary
are to notify the county chairmen of
the campaign meetiags and request
them to take into consideration the
candidates who will visit the coun
ties by appointing committees and
designating homes for the entertain
ment of the candidates, which was
adopted. Upon motion of Mi. Blease
the assessments for candidates were
fixed the same as last year, and are
as follows:
United States Senators and Con
gressmen, $50; Governor $50; Lieu
tenant Governor $12 50; Adjutant
General $25. All other State officers
$37.50. The county assessments
are as heretofore in proportion to
their representation in Legislature.
Candidates for the United States
Senate and House of Representatives,
Democratic party of South Carolina,
1902, will attend the following cam
paign meetings:
Colunibia, Tuesday, June 17.
Camden, Wednesday, June 18.
Chesterfield, Friday, June 20.
Bennettsville, Monday, June 23.
Bishopville, Tuesday, June 24.
Darlington, Wednesday, June 25.
Florence, Thursday, June 26.
Marion, Friday, June 27.
Conway, Monday, June 30.
Georgetown, Wednesday, July 2.
Kingstree, Friday, July 4.
Moncks Corner, Tuesday, July 7.
Manning, Tuesiay, July 8.
Sumter, Wednesday, July 9.
Orangeburg, Thursday, July 10.
Bamberg, Friday, July 11.
Georges, Saturday, July 12.
Charleston, Tuesday, July 15.
Walterboro, Wednesday, July 16.
Beaufort, Friday, July 18.
Hampton, Saturday, July 19.
Barnwell, Tuesday, July 22.
Aiken, Wednesday, July 23.
Edgefield, Thursday, July 24.
Saluda, Saturday, July 26.
Lexington, Monday, July 28.
Newberry, Tuesday, July 29.
Laurens, Thursday, July 31.
Greenville, Friday, August 1.
Pickens, Saturaay, August 2.
Waihalla, Monday, August 4.
Anderson, Tuesday, August 5.
Abbeville,' Friday, August 8.
Greenwood, Saturday, August 9.
Union, Tuesday, August 12.
Spartanburg, Wednesday, Aug. 13.
Gaffney, Thursday, August 14.
Yorkville, Saturd4y, August 16.
Lancaster, Tuesday, August 19.
Chester, Wednesday, August 20.
Winnsboro, Thursday, August 21.
Campaign schedule for candidates
for State offices of the Democratic
party of South Carolina for 1902:
Sumter, Tuesday, June 17.
Orangeburg, Wednesday, June 18.
Bamberg, Thursday, June 19.
Georges, Friday, June 20.
Charlestoc., Saturday, June~ 21.
Walterboro, Monday, June 23.
Beaufort, Wednesday, June 25.
Hampton, Thursday, June 26.
Barne ell, Saturday, June 28.
Aiken, Tuesday, July 1.
Edgefield, Wednesday, July 2.
Saluda, Friday, July 4.
Lexington, Saturday, July 5.
Newberry, Tuesday, July 8.
Greenwoo, Wvednesday, July 9.
Abbeville, Thursday. July 10.
Anderson, Friday, July 11.
Walala, Monday, July 14.
Pickens, Wednesday, July 16
(reenville, Thursday, July 17.
Laurens, Friday, July, 18.
Union, Monday, July 21.
Spartanburg, Tuesday, July 22.
Gaffney, Wednesday, July 23.
Yorkville, Friday, July 25
Chester, Saturday, July 26
Winnsboro, Tuesday, July 29.
Lancaster, Wednesday, July 30.
Camden, Thursday, July 31.
Chesterfield, Saturd ay, August 2
nnttsville, Tu erlday Augusnt .
Bishopville, Wednesday, August 6.
Darlington, Thursday, August 7.
Florence, Friday, August 8.
Marion, Saturday, August 9.
Conway, Tuesday, August 12.
Georgetown, Thursday, August 14.
Kingstree, Saturday, August 16.
Moncks Corner, Tuesday, Augast
17.
Manning, Wednesday, August 20.
Columbia, Thursday, August 21.
Chapin Cotton Mill.
[Chapin News, 29th.]
About a year ago the citizerns of
dhapin started a movement to build
t cotton mill and the prospects were
>right for a while, but it seems
hat the matter has been hanging
ire for some time. Upou inquiry
we find that some have lately become
mbued with a spirit of enterprise
nd express themselves as anxious to
ee the movement revived.
There is no reason wby we cannot
ave a cotton mill. We have a pretty
ittle town of about 400 population,
ituated in the garden spot of Lex
ngton county. The town is unsur
)assed by any town of its size in the
tate.
We already have a few growing
ndustries in and about Chapin. We
ave a large planing mill, grist mill,
otton ginnery and wagon and buggy
ihops in town. A few miles in the
wuntry is tbe Dutch Fork Tobacco
,o. This company raises its own to
acco and puts up three grades of
moking tobacco which for purity
ind flavor, will compare with any to
>acco manufactarcd in Virginin or
Torth Carolir,a. There is also near
iere a canning factory which is a
;uccessful enterprise. All the fruits
nd vegetables canned are raised
n the immediate vicinity of the fac
.ory. Within a radious of only a
ew miles are a number of lumber
nd shingle mills, which make Cha
>in the largest lumber and shingle
narket on the C. N. & L. R. R.
Thas it will be seen that our smat~
ndustries have succeeded so well
hat our people now want to launch
.nto a larger enterprise. We have
very inducement to offer capital.
sts. Land can be bough' reasona
le, building material can be furnish
d from our own forests and soils and
nore than enough cotto'n is sold at
hapin than would be required to
nrnish the mill.
Our people are generous, hospital
d are the highest types of Chris
ian citizenship. The town and sor
ounding vicinity are abundaintly
upplied with churches and schools,
resided over by men who are devo
:ed to their work.
We extend a hearty welcome to
rospecting capitalists and will take
pleasur6 in furnishing any informa
ion that may rebound to the inter
3st and welfare of our town and
~ounty. Our business men are
ready to do their part, but we need
some outside help. We want a
~otton mill and are going to use
avery effort to build one whether
r not we fail in our attempt.
n Educationlal Party to sun.mer School
of the South.
An educational party to the "Summer
School of the South" at Knoxville,
len., June 19-July 31st, conducted by
President P. D. Pollock and P. WV. H.
Kilpatrick, of Mercer University, will
leave Macon on special train over the
sou hern railway on June 16th.
Course of Study; 47 differenut courses
f study taught by specialist North and
South; 21 courses in common school
subjects and methods; 9 courses in
psychology and pedagogy; 17 courses
io high school and college work; and
many lectures by men of national repu
taton on general topies.
'ost of board and lodging $5.50 to
$4.50 per week, registration fee for any
or all who work $5.00; railroad fare,
'ne fare for the round trip from Macon
tnd return $6 94: similiarly reduced
ra es from all other points on the
:outhrn railway.
Suggestions: Register your name f< r
the special party with President.P. D.
Pollock, Mercer University. in order
tb.t choice rooms and location may be
reserved in advance.
A.ditional i[nformation: Write Su
psrintendent P. P. Claxton, Knoxville,
Ten ,for complete circulars of informa
tion as to courses and cost, and to the
uind-rsigned as to the details of the trip.
W T-T Taylona A. G. A. A tlanta, a._
IT IS PRESIDENT SNYDER!
HE HAi BEEN (HO4EN SUCCEiOR TO
IDR. CARLISLE.
Dr. Carliale Will lernain Connected With
the Institution as Professor.
.[Spartanburg Herald.]
It has been a custom with the -
Doard of trustees of Wofford College
rom tine immemorial to withhold
Irom the public their actions at their
innual meetings from the Saturday
prior to the Tuesday of Commence
ment week, until Tuesday morning
)f each year, at commencement, at
wvhich time the chairman of the board
innounces the actions of that body.
The trustees of Wofford college
2ave made no exception to the rule
or the commencement of 1902, and
he result of the action of the board
)n last Saturday, in choosing a pres
dent to succeed Dr. James H. Car
isle in that institution, has not, and
ill not 1-e announced until this
morning in the chapel. This means,
io far as the board is concerned.
At the recent meeting of the board,
Dr. James H. Carlisle's resigna
ion as president of the college, was
iccepted. Prof. H. N. Snyder was
.hosen in his place. Dr. Carlisle
was elected to some chair in this in
titution for which he has so geaer
)usly and nobly contributed in his
ife work. This professorship is for
ife tenure. Prof. Snyder has for
ibout nine years past filled the chair
f Eugligh at Wofford. He is a
graduate of Vanderbilt University,.
ind is one of the most scholarly gen
:.emen in the South. He possesses
:o a marked degree the personal mag
etism to enthuse and arouse a stu
lent body to healthy, effective men
al labors. Aside from his studies
ind researches, he has spent a year
a the European universitiei and is
in every sense a well rounded man of
etter.1, capable of filling the high
ffice to which he has been called
that of the successor of Dr. Carlisle.
Hunylng Votes In Augusta.
There was an election in Augusta
un Thursday of last week, and the
Augusta Tribune telle of some in
idents in tbe following most uncon
erned manner:
"The buying of votes began at the
start. This was conducted openly,
each side having their headquarters
and pay stations near the polling
places. In the fourth ward the Old
uard had possession of the yard of
residence on one side of the polls
and the Reformers on the other,
where the cash was paid for the
votes delivered. The price at the
pening was vcry irregular, owing
to the haste of the early birds to
catch the worm, many floaters being
glad to Bell for $1, though the heel
ers let no vote pass that could be
ought, and even in the first hour as
high as $10 was obtained for their
commodity by those who knew how
to drive a good bargain by letting
both sides bid.
"In the fifth ward at 10.20 o'clock
22 votes had been cast. 1 he price
of votes at that hour averaged $7.50,
though $10 was paid where de
manded."
s Captain's Strange story.
The Captain of the Norwegian
steamer Donald, which arrived at
Philadelpbia, a few days ago, from
Banes, with a cargo of fruit, tells the
following remarkable story:
"We were two days out from
Banes and about 30 miles from WVat
lin's island in the Carribbean sea,
when we camne upon a floating is
land. I, with the mate and several of
the crew, rowed toward it. Thou
sands of little monkeys scampered
all about the shore and when we
were in range they began bombard
ment by shying cocoanuts at us.
We captured two monkeys.
"The following morning we dis
coered another floating island and
landed. This time we were greeted
by a covey of parrots of most bril
liant plumage."
Captain Warnecke declared that
the eruption in Martinique had
saken up the entire district, and
the small piece of land had become
separated from some uninhabited
sland.