“The chastisement of Sumner, in spite of the blustering
nonsense of the regiments of Yankee Bob Acres, who have been
talking about ‘avenging his wrongs,’ will be attended with good
results. The precedent of Brooks _vs._ Sumner will become a
respected authority at Washington. It will be a ‘leading case,’
as it clearly defines the distinction between the liberty of
speech as guarantied to the respectable American Senator and
that scandalous abuse of it by such men as Charles Sumner.
…
“Far from blaming Mr. Brooks, we are disposed to regard him
as a conservative gentleman seeking to restore to the Senate
that dignity and respectability of which the Abolition Senators
are fast stripping it. His example should be followed by every
Southern gentleman whose feelings are outraged by unprincipled
Abolitionists.”