Assault on Sumner .281856.29 Origins of the American Civil War

northern image of 1856 attack on sumner

on may 19 massachusetts senator charles sumner gave long speech in senate entitled crime against kansas , condemned slave power evil force behind nation s troubles. sumner said southerners had committed crime against kansas , singling out senator andrew p. butler of south carolina:

not in common lust power did uncommon tragedy have origin. rape of virgin territory, compelling hateful embrace of slavery; , may traced depraved desire new slave state, hideous offspring of such crime, in hope of adding power of slavery in national government.

sumner famously cast south carolinian having chosen mistress ... who, though ugly others, lovely him; though polluted in sight of world, chaste in sight – mean harlot, slavery! according hoffer (2010), important note sexual imagery recurred throughout oration, neither accidental nor without precedent. abolitionists routinely accused slaveholders of maintaining slavery engage in forcible sexual relations slaves. 3 days later, sumner, working @ desk on senate floor, beaten death congressman preston s. brooks, butler s nephew. sumner took years recover; became martyr antislavery cause said episode proved barbarism of slave society. brooks lauded hero upholding southern honor. although representative anson burlingame managed publicly embarrass brooks in retaliation, original episode further polarized north , south, strengthened new republican party, , added new element of violence on floor of congress.