Don’t think for a minute that we are’t STILL capable.
Especially where our rights and liberties are concerned.I have no doubt. But this wasn't about your rights or liberties. It was about an insult. Do you really believe that the way to deal with an insult is to come up to an unprepared opponent sitting at a desk and beat him with a gold-headed cane until the cane breaks? If Sumner had died, would you have called it murder, or honor avenged?
Sumner provoked his beating. His speech was extremely insulting to the gentleman in question. Under the Code Duello, in use at the time, Preston Brooks was entitled to beat him, but I personally believe that it was a bit excessive. The times being what they were, with members of Congress on BOTH sides pulling pistols, this wasn’t extreme.
Sam Houston beat Congressman Stanberry years earlier, over a speech as well.