THE BROOKS MEETING.Laurensville, South Carolina, Herald [Democratic](6 June 1859)
In another column will be found the proceedings
of a meeting held at this place on Monday last, by
the constituents of P. S. Brooks in Laurens
District. The Court House was filled to overflowing
with the most staunch, discreet and pure men
of the District, who evinced an enthusiasm and
interest in the matter on which they assembled to
consider, beyond anything we have witnessed in
Laurens before. The meeting was harmonious and
dignified, and it must be a source of gratification
to Col. Brooks to know that while he is reviled,
traduced and harassed by letters from his enemies,
and the proceedings of the many meetings held by
them at the North, here, among the people whom
he represents in Congress, but one feeling pervades,
and that feeling most unequivocally endorses the
act of caning Sumner. To his constituents alone
must he look for the sanction of his acts against
their enemies, and if they approve them, it must
be evident he is a true and faithful representative
of their wishes and opinions.
The first blow has been struck, which will be felt
keener and longer than all the arguments and
warnings ever used in Congress by Southern members,
and, in our opinion, that blow is pregnant
with results, which will be developed in hastening
the crisis to which we had before been more slowly
approaching. Vituperative and libellous speaking
in Congress has received a check which will
weaken the arguments of our enemies more than
anything else; and if the precedeent of Mr. Brooks
be adopted by the whole Southern delegation, as
their rule and course of conduct towards those
who cannot, by courtesy and arguments of words,
be made to respect them and the people they
represent, our opinion is, Congress will be freed from
those unjust and unholy excitements which have
of late years existed there, caused by the violent
and mad ravings of those who prefer to pander to
the prejudices of the masses than to allow reason,
justice and dignity, to govern their acts and
associations. It has been a favorite argument that
"while we continue in the Union, let us act with
our sister States, in all their modes of governments;"
so, we say, while we are in the Union,
let us demand that courtesy and justice to our
Representatives and State which is awarded to
our sister States of the Confederacy.
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