"HIT HIM AGAIN!"

SENATOR SUMNER PHYSICALLY ATTACKED ON SENATE FLOOR BY CONGRESSMAN BROOKS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 22, 1856, Senator Charles Sumner (R-Massachusetts) was severely beaten as he sat at his desk on the floor of the United States Senate.

With a few bystanders looking on, Congressman Preston Brooks entered the Senate chamber carrying a wooden cane, walked up to Senator Sumner's desk and proceeded to beat him over the head and shoulders.

The Senator attempted to rise up from the desk, but could not because it was bolted to the floor.

Congressman Brooks, whose cousin, Senator Andrew Butler (D-South Carolina) had been verbally attacked a few days earlier by Senator Sumner, a staunch opponent of slavery, became an instant hero in the South with many of his supporters sending him new wooden canes with the inscription 'HIT HIM AGAIN!'

JFK+50 NOTE

Senator Sumner slowly recovered from his injuries but was unable to return to the Senate for three years.  According to witnesses, Brooks hit Sumner repeatedly with the 'massive gold knob' of his cane which is counter to the illustration below.

SOURCE

"Charles Sumner Beaten On Senate Floor," JFK+50, May 22, 2011, www.jfk50.blogspot.com/

"Southern Chivalry"

Lithography by John L. Magee

1856

Boston Athenaeum

"HIT HIM AGAIN!"

SENATOR SUMNER PHYSICALLY ATTACKED ON SENATE FLOOR 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 22, 1856, Senator Charles Sumner* (R-Massachusetts) was physically attacked by Congressman Preston Brooks** (D-South Carolina) as he sat at his desk on the chamber floor.

Just days earlier, the Senator had given a speech critical of the institution of slavery and of Congressman Brooks' cousin, Senator Andrew Butler*** (D-South Carolina).

The speech included these words...

"The Senator from South Carolina has chosen a mistress who, though ugly to others, is always lovely to him...I mean the harlot, slavery."

Brooks entered the Senate chamber carrying a wooden cane.  He walked up to the Senator and began beating him viciously over the head and shoulders.  Mr. Sumner was unable to get up from his desk which was bolted to the floor.

Preston Brooks became an instant hero in the South and received numerous new canes to replace the one he used to beat Charles Sumner.  One of these bore the inscription "Hit Him Again!"

*Charles Sumner (1811-1874) was born in Boston & educated at the Latin School & Harvard.  CS served in the US Senate 1851-1874 & was Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee 1861-1871.

**Preston Smith Brooks (1819-1857) was born in Edgefield SC & educated at the University of South Carolina.  PSB served in the Mexican War & US House of Representatives 1853-1857.

***Andrew Pickens Butler (1796-1857) was born in Edgefield SC & graduated from South Carolina College (USC).  APB served in the SC Senate 1824-1833 & US Senate 1846-1857.

   

 

"Southern Chivalry"

by John L. Magee (1856)

Boston Athenaeum Photo

"MY COUNTRYMEN, KNOW ONE ANOTHER & YOU WILL LOVE ONE ANOTHER"

SUMNER PHYSICALLY ATTACKED BY CONGRESSMAN ON SENATE FLOOR

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) United States senators are accustomed to being verbally attacked by political opponents both on and off the Senate floor, but on May 22, 1856, Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner was physically attacked by Congressman Preston Brooks of South Carolina while sitting at his Senate desk.

A few days before, Senator Sumner had given a speech verbally attacking both slavery and Senator Andrew Butler of South Carolina.  On May 22nd, during a break between sessions, Sumner was busy writing when Brooks, Butler's cousin, burst into the chamber carrying a wooden cane.

Brooks, with only a few bystanders looking on, beat Sumner over the head and shoulders.  Sumner attempted to get up from his desk but could not do so because it was bolted to the floor.

Sumner's injuries were so severe that he would not return to the Senate for three years.  There was no pity, however, for the northern Senator in the South where Brooks became an instant hero and received a replacement wooden cane in the mail with the inscription "Hit Him Again!" 

President John F. Kennedy quoted from Mississippi Senator Lucius Lamar's tribute to Sumner in his book "Profiles in Courage"...

 "(Charles Sumner) believed that all distrust between the North and South had passed away.   Would that...spirit...speak from the grave to both parties to this deplorable discord in tones which should reach...every heart throughout this broad territory:  'My countrymen! know one another, and you will love one another.'"

"MY COUNTRYMEN, KNOW ONE ANOTHER & YOU WILL LOVE ONE ANOTHER"

CONGRESSMAN BEATS SENATOR WITH CANE ON SENATE FLOOR

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 22, 1856, Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner,  days after giving a speech attacking slavery and South Carolina Senator Andrew Butler, was severely beaten as he sat at his desk on the floor of the United States Senate.

During a break between sessions, Sumner was busy writing when Congressman Preston Brooks, Senator Butler's cousin, came into the chamber carrying a wooden cane.  Brooks, with only a few bystanders looking on, proceeded to beat Sumner over the head and shoulders.  Sumner attempted to get up from his desk but could not do so because it was bolted to the floor.

Sumner's injuries were so severe that he would not able to return to the Senate for three years.  In the South, there was no pity for the northern Senator. Brooks became an instant hero and received a replacement wooden cane in the mail with the inscription "Hit Him Again!"

In Profiles in Courage, Senator John F. Kennedy discusses a speech made by Senator Lucius Lamar of Mississippi in 1874 on the occasion of the death of "the South's most implacable enemy," Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts.  In a plea for "amity and  justice between North and South," Senator Lamar said that Charles Sumner...

"believed that all occasion for strife and distrust between the North and South had passed away.   Would that the spirit of the illustrious dead whom we lament today could speak from the grave to both parties to this deplorable discord in tones which should reach each and every heart throughout this broad territory:  'My countrymen! know one another, and you will love one another.'"

According to Senator Kennedy, this speech was one of the few in our history to have "such immediate impact."  He argues that the speech was a turning point in the relationship between North and South.  

Lucius Lamar of Mississippi

Photo by Matthew Brady and 

Levin Corbin Handy

Library of Congress Image

HIT HIM AGAIN

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1957

BLOOD-LETTING ON THE SENATE FLOOR 160 YEARS AGO TODAY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred and sixty years ago today, May 22, 1856, Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner,  a few days after giving a speech attacking both the institution of slavery and South Carolina Senator Andrew Butler, was severely beaten as he sat at his desk on the floor of the United States Senate.

During a break between sessions, Sumner was busy writing when Congressman Preston Brooks, Senator Butler's cousin, came into the chamber carrying a wooden cane.

Brooks, with only a few bystanders looking on, proceeded to beat Sumner over the head and shoulders.  Sumner attempted to get up from his desk but could not do so because it was bolted to the floor.

Sumner's injuries were so severe that he would not able to return to the Senate for three years.  There was no pity for the northern Senator, however, in the South. Brooks became an instant hero and received a replacement wooden cane in the mail with the inscription "Hit Him Again!"

In his Pulitzer Prize winning book, Profiles in Courage, JFK writes about a speech made by Senator Lucius Lamar of Mississippi in 1874 on the occasion of the death of "the South's most implacable enemy," Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts.

In a plea for "amity and  justice between North and South," Senator Lamar said that Charles Sumner, before his death....

"believed that all occasion for strife and distrust between the North and South had passed away.   Would that the spirit of the illustrious dead whom we lament today could speak from the grave to both parties to this deplorable discord in tones which should reach each and every heart throughout this broad territory:  'My countrymen! know one another, and you will love one another.'"

JFK wrote that this speech was one of the few in our history to have "such immediate impact."  He argues that the speech was a turning point in the relationship between North and South.  

While many newspapers wrote editorials in support of the speech, others, particularly in the South were critical. They believed Senator Lamar "had surrendered Southern principle and honor." 

Lucius Lamar of Mississippi

Photo by Matthew Brady and 

Levin Corbin Handy

Library of Congress Image

RAISING CANE ON THE SENATE FLOOR

MASSACHUSETTS SENATOR SUMNER BEATEN WITH CANE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred fifty-nine years ago today, May 22, 1856, Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner,  a few days after giving a speech attacking both the institution of slavery and South Carolina Senator Andrew Butler, was severely beaten as he sat at his desk on the floor of the United States Senate.

During a break between sessions, Sumner was busy writing when Congressman Preston Brooks, Butler's cousin, came into the chamber carrying a wooden cane.

Brooks, with only a few bystanders looking on, proceeded to beat Sumner over the head and shoulders.  Sumner attempted to get up from his desk but could not do so because it was bolted to the floor.

Sumner's injuries were so severe that he would not able to return to the Senate for three years.  There was no pity for the northern Senator, however, in the South. Brooks became an instant hero and received a replacement wooden cane in the mail with the inscription "Hit Him Again!"

In his Pulitzer Prize winning book, Profiles in Courage, JFK writes about a speech made by Senator Lucius Lamar of Mississippi in 1874 on the occasion of the death of "the South's most implacable enemy," Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts.

In a plea for "amity and  justice between North and South," Senator Lamar said that Charles Sumner, before his death....

"believed that all occasion for strife and distrust between the North and South had passed away.   Would that the spirit of the illustrious dead whom we lament today could speak from the grave to both parties to this deplorable discord in tones which should reach each and every heart throughout this broad territory:  'My countrymen! know one another, and you will love one another.'"

JFK wrote that this speech was one of the few in our history to have "such immediate impact."  He argues that the speech was a turning point in the relationship between North and South.  

While many newspapers wrote editorials in support of the speech, others, particularly in the South were critical. They believed Senator Lamar "had surrendered Southern principle and honor." 

Lucius Lamar of Mississippi

Photo by Matthew Brady and 

Levin Corbin Handy

Library of Congress Image

JIMMY CARTER AT NOTRE DAME

JIMMY CARTER SPOKE AT NOTRE DAME 37 YEARS AGO TODAY

South Bend (JFK+50) President James Earl "Jimmy" Carter, after just 4 months in office, gave a commencement address 37 years ago today, May 22, 1977, at Notre Dame University here in South Bend, Indiana.

The President noted recent successes in India, Greece and Spain in bringing about democratic governments.

President Carter said:

"We are now free of that inordinate fear of communism which led us to embrace any dictator who joined us in our fear."

The President took the opportunity to speak about a new policy. 

 He said what is needed now...

"is a policy based on constant decency in its values and an optimism in our historic vision."

     President Carter at Notre Dame
      photo from www.spectator.org


HONEY FITZ WITHDREW FROM SENATE RACE 70 YEARS AGO

Boston (JFK+50) Former mayor of Boston and Massachusetts congressman John F. "Honey Fitz" Fitzgerald announced his withdrawal 70 years ago today, May 22, 1944, from the race for nomination of the Democratic Party for United States Senate.

Less than a dozen candidates remained in the race at the time.

Honey Fitz, Joe and Jack Kennedy

Library of Congress photo by Hy Peskin

CHARLES SUMNER BEATEN ON SENATE FLOOR 158 YEARS AGO

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts,  just days after giving a speech attacking both the institution of slavery and South Carolina Senator Andrew Butler, was severely beaten 158 years ago today, May 22, 1856, as he sat at his desk on the floor of the senate.

During a break between sessions, Sumner was busy writing at his desk when Congressman Preston Brooks, a cousin of Senator Butler's, came into the chamber carrying a wooden cane.

Brooks, with only a few bystanders looking on, proceeded to beat Sumner over the head and shoulders with the cane.

Sumner attempted to get up from his desk but could not do so because it was bolted to the floor.

Although Sumner would eventually recover, he was unable to return to the senate for 3 years.

Brooks became an instant Southern hero and  received many new canes in the mail, one with the inscription "Hit Him Again!"