ADOPTION OF THE ASSAULT BY EMINENT SLAVE-MASTERS, AND BY THE SOUTH
GENERALLY.
More significant even than the assault was the evidence, which soon
accumulated, showing its adoption at the South. Had it been disapproved
there, it would have stood as the act of an individual. Had it been
received even in silence, without formal disapprobation, there would
have been at least a question with regard to the sentiment there, and
charity would have supplied the most extenuating interpretation. But
the spirit of Slavery was too strong, making haste to speak out by its
representatives of every degree. It began at once.
On the publication of Mr. Sumner’s testimony, there were some
explanations in the Senate.[145] Hon. John Slidell, of Louisiana,
described himself as in conversation with several gentlemen, in the
anteroom of the Senate, when he first heard of the assault.
“We had been there some minutes,--I think we were alone in the
antechamber,--when a person (if I recollect aright, it was
Mr. Jones, a messenger of the Senate) rushed in, apparently
in great trepidation, and said that somebody was beating Mr.
Sumner. We heard this remark without any particular emotion;
for my own part, I confess I felt none.”
He then describes meeting Mr. Sumner in the doorway of the
reception-room, “leaning on two persons whom I did not recognize. His
face was covered with blood.” He adds:--
“I am not particularly fond of scenes of any sort. I have no
associations or relations of any kind with Mr. Sumner; I have
not spoken to him for two years.”