Caning Of Charles Sumner Primary Source

An incident in which Massachusetts senator Charles Sumner was assaulted on the floor of the Senate by South Carolina congressman Preston S. Brooks over Sumner's accusation that a distant cousin of Brooks's had taken ''the harlot slavery'' as his mistress.

May 22nd, 1856

Shows how violent/separated America was

1854-1861

In May 1856 Charles Sumner gave a speech openly attacking Andrew Butler of South Carolina. Preston Brooks, the nephew of Butler attacked Sumner with a cane two days later while Sumner was working at his desk. Northeners were horrified. Southeners rejoiced.