The Brooks/Sumner Caning on the Senate Floor and the Harlot Slavery: May 22, 1856
On Thursday, May 22, 1856 thirty-seven year old Congressman and former United States Army Captain decorated veteran of the Mexican-American War from South Carolina, Preston Brooks walked into a nearly deserted Senate chamber. With Brooks, that day as he walked onto the Senate floor, was his fellow Congressman from South Carolina, attorney, Laurence M. Keitt. Brooks and Keitt had waited up above, in the gallery, nearly the entire day for the Senate floor to empty. It is their desire that no ladies be present to witness what they are about to do. The Congressmen from South Carolina are there to confront Senator Charles Sumner, Republican from Massachusetts, leader of the abolitionist faction in Congress and one of the most eloquent orators in the United States over remarks he made in a speech two days prior. Preston Brooks When Brooks and Keitt first entered the Senate chamber that day it was Brooks’ intention to challenge Sumner to a duel for having slandered his...