We Mean to Subdue You.

Authors

Newspaper Title

Illinios State Journal

Publication Date

5-26-1856

Publication Place

Springfield, Illinois

Event Topic

Sumner Caning

Political Party

Republican

Region

free state

Disclaimer

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Quote

This outrage is of a piece with those in Kansas, with the additional merit of being bolder and having a more distinguished person for its victim.

Document Type

Article (Journal or Newsletter)

Full Text Transcription

That seems to have been no idle threat which Senator Douglas made to Senator Sumner some time since, in the Senate Chamber -- "We mean to subdue you, sir." On Saturday, we published an account of a cowardly assault made by Preston S. Brooks -- a ruffian from South Carolina, and a member of the Douglas faction, -- on the person of Senator Sumner, while occupying his seat within the sacred precincts of the Senate chamber. This outrage is of a piece with those in Kansas, with the additional merit of being bolder and having a more distinguished person for its victim.

The Register of this city, affects to find a palliation for it in the provocation contained in Senator Sumner's speech, which was so complete an expose of the machinations of the slave Democracy, and abounded in such severe threats at the leaders of that faction, that they "were blinded with rage at being used up in debate," and sought a remedy for their discomfiture by employing a member of the "southern chivalry" to assault and beat an unresisting opponent, whose caustic words they were unable to shun or reply to. No palliation can be offered for this display of ruffianism. Another place and another time should have been sought by the southern hot - head for the display of his prowess. We shall see, however, what notice the House will take of the matter. Having voted the slayer of an Irishmen a fit associate, it will have but little difficulty in recognizing the member from South Carolina equally so. The man-slayer and the ruffian, have each commended themselves in the eyes of the Douglas Democracy, and while it "warrants and defends" the one, it can do no less than "applaud" the other.

Edited/Proofed by

Entered by Beatrice Burton. Proofed by James Cash

Identifier

ilsjsu560526a

Recommended Citation

"We Mean to Subdue You." (1856). Secession Era Newspaper Editorials. 303.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/secession-editorials/all/editorials/303

Rights

This item is in the public domain, and can be used by anyone without restriction.