I wonder how Keitt would have liked it if I held a gun on him to prevent his interference while my friend violently beat his father or someone he liked half to death. He might think it a crime.
He deserved his censure and far worse.
As for Burlingame, sounds like BROOKS challenged him to a duel but wussed out like the chickenbleep loser he was when he heard Burlingame was a good shot. What a loser.
In the end, had Sumner chosen to attack the institution of slavery instead of taking cheap, vicious, personal shots at a fellow Senator, one that he didn’t have the common courtesy of facing, the entire incident would never have occurred.
Personally, I think he was looking for trouble and getting his ass kicked. Be careful what you wish for, you may get it.