The Senator From South Carolina Objects

Politics in America has been and always will be breeding ground for heated debates. Since it was founded the House of Representatives has hosted an unknown amount of debates and personal feuds but none as memorable than that between Senators Charles Sumner & Preston Brooks. The event that happened on the floor of the House took place during a 1856 session. It would go on to become the one and only time a U.S. Senator attacked another Senator over a debated issue.

ushistory.org

When thinking of our governments past I like to think of it as nothing but sophisticated and educated men arguing the issues of the day in a gentlemanly and honorable way. However, I am reasonable and know that is not usually the case. Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts was a young, good looking, hot shot, anti slavery layer from Boston. It started during a speech on May 20 called "The Crime Against Kansas." In the speech Senator Sumner blasted southern leaders who defended the institution of slavery. Sumner targeted leading slavery advocates like Stephen Douglas and Andrew Butler. The speech caused quite the uproar in the House as, Sumner, who was a well known orator used the imagery of a forced sexual relation to slavery. His three hour speech not only implied that slavery was used to control black women and humiliate black men, but he also poked fun at southern mannerisms especially those of Senator Andrew Butler. Now it wouldn't be for a few days before all hell broke loose on the floor, and surprisingly Senator Butler, the focus of the argument, wouldn't even be involved.

archives.org

So before I explain this picture let me explains what happens. After Sumner's speech, fellow Senator Preston Brooks was still a little steamed to say the least. Brooks who was actually the nephew of Senator Andrew Butler, wanted revenge for the tongue lashing dealt by Sumner. At first he thought of handling it in the gentlemanly fashion of the day, by challenging Sumner to a duel. But after seeking advice from fellow South Carolinian, Senator Laurence M. Keitt, Brooks decided it was much more fitting to "punish" him in a public forum, the House floor. Two days later Brooks and Keitt walked into the Senate chamber and approached Sumner. He then brought forth his grievances with Sumner,

 "Mr. Sumner, I have read your speech twice over carefully. It is a libel on South Carolina, and Mr. Butler, who is a relative of mine..."

 Brooks never finished his sentence because as Senator Sumner rose from his desk to add his two cents, it was then that Brooks started beating him with his cane. Sumner then fell to the floor and hide under his desk, yet Brooks kept the assault up. Sumner then attempted to make an escape but could only stumble a few feet before collapsing. Covered in blood several other Senators ran to his aid. However, Keitt was standing in there way brandishing a pistol saying, "Let them be!." Brooks then continued beating Sumner until his cane was broken into two pieces. After his weapon was no longer of use to him, Keitt and himself strolled right out of the Senate.

 
 historyscoop.com

 As you can imagine the action of Brooks spread across the nation and received mixed reactions. In the North he was as evil as the issue of slavery, but in the South he was treated as a hero on the scale of George Washington. He was actually sent hundreds of new canes to replace the one he left in pieces in Washington D.C.  As for the Senate, their was an attempt to expel Brooks, which failed. Yet in true Rebel style Brooks retired his seat only to be re-elected to it in the following election. Other Senators and Representatives started to take precautions when heading to D.C. Most now carried concealed weapons: knives, revolvers and small pistols. Brooks would ultimately was fined $300 and would die in 1857. Sumner returned to the Senate the three years after the attack, but would suffer the rest of his life from what we call today PTSD. Since that fateful day in May of 1856, not other elected representative in American History has attacked another, physically that is. The memory of the attack by Brooks is a key example of the lead up to the Civil War. It exposes the sentiment of the both North and South, pro and anti slavery. It is an interesting piece not only in American History but in the History of American Government. Today, there is no reminder of the events of May 22, not in a History textbook or even at the capital itself. Yet is another great micro example of the major issues of the day.

Kill George Washington, Impossible.

The most well known traitor in American History, despite my argument, is Benedict Arnold. However, there was someone who did something much more traitorous then Arnold. How traitorous am I talking? Well, this man planned to kill George Washington. That's right, you read that correctly. There was a planned attempt to take Washington's life in 1776. If successful, this assassination would have crushed the rebellion and any & all hopes of American Independence. So how can this person be overshadowed by the actions of Arnold? Was West Point more valuable then General Washington? I highly doubt it, but it is important to see that there is a traitor so horrible in our History, that from now on when someone betrays you, call them a Thomas Hickey.

archives.gov

To most people George Washington is a mythical giant of indestructibility on which our nation was built. However, it is a fact that Washington's military skill was not a match of his counterparts and was a flesh and bone guy just like the rest of us. That being said, it was a man entrusted to guard his life that would be part of the attempt of taking it. Thomas Hickey was a private in the Commander-in-Chief's-Guard. He was an original member of the Guard which formed in March of 1776 in New York City. The Guard had several objectives, protect official documents coming and going to Washington, watching over the Continental Army's cash and most importantly keeping George Washington alive. Thomas Hickey was one of the selected men to carry out these duties. But from the beginning Hickey was trouble. In the spring of 1776 he was jailed for passing counterfeit money. While in prison Hickey blabbed about the planned assassination.

wikipedia.org

Hickey explained to a fellow prisoner Issac Ketcham that a group planned on betraying not only Washington, but America when the British arrived to New York. The plan was to kidnap Washington and turn him over to the Brits and kill his chief officers. The plot involved a total of eight men, two of which were the Mayor of New York City David Mathews and Governor of New York William Tryon. Now a quick recap for those that don't remember U.S. History I. New York City was a Loyalist stronghold. Those loyal Tories flocked to New York because of its ties to the mother country and the fact that the British would go onto hold New York City until the end of the war. Luckily the assassination was never able to come to pass, or else we'd still be sipping tea at high noon and watching cricket. With Hickey now the main suspect it was time to hand out some old fashion American justice. Hickey was hung on June 28th in New York City in front of nearly 20,000 onlookers that Washington himself ordered to go. The order was given as to send a warning to any future traitors. It was a stern and clear message that trying to double cross George Washington would result in your death. After the hanging of Hickey, no other attempt was made on Washington's life.

yesteryearsnews.wordpress.com

So why write about Hickey? To prove once more that you can't mess with George Washington? Not really, but it also adds to the lore that George Washington could not be killed by conventional weapons. But it does show something amazing. Even though the United States was still in its infancy, it's government was already created. The case of Hickey went before the Provincial Congress. It was there that the court martial and sentencing were handled. The young nations government was not even officially formed but was already a fully function government office. Hickey also should be going down in American History as America's greatest traitor. So it appears that a man can conspire to kidnap or kill George Washington and not be remembered. Perhaps it is because the plan never happened and that is why we dub Benedict Arnold with the title of greatest traitor. But in the end the rest is history as they say. Washington would go on to defeat the Evil Empire that England was, be the first American President and set a standard for which not just the Presidents should strive for buy all Americans should. 

Wait, He Has A What?

Everyday I am privileged with hearing the tales of immigration to America. Most of the time the stories are very heart warming and have a happy ending. Some times you get some tear jerkers. And now and then you get a real off the wall story. That said, one of the most interesting people to immigrate through Ellis Island was Mr. Frank Woodhull. But of the millions of immigrants and stories of their journeys, why would Woodhull's story stand out? Well because Mr. Woodhull was a woman.

zeldalily.com

The story of Frank Woodhull starts in 1858, in Toronto. Born Mary Johnson she was raised by her single father as her mother passed away when she was a child. Mary never had it easy, she had many manly features, from a deep voice, wide build and a bit of a mustache. This features caused constant teasing during young Mary's childhood. At the age of 20 her father passed away and Mary was now on her own. Seeking a new start she headed to California in search of work. There, her appearance was still subject to criticism, but it was in California that Mary Johnson would transform herself into Frank Woodhull and live out her life as a man. 

english-together.net

It was on Ellis Island that the truth about Mary Johnson would come out. For some years already Mary was living as Frank Woodhull and everything about her was the features, qualities and attributes of a man. She made her way from California to New Orleans. Mary entered the doors of Ellis in 1908 after a trip to England. Mary was not an American citizen so she was treated as an immigrate despite her residence in the states. Mary blended into the crowded as they waited in line to be inspected. She had short hair, wore a black suit and had a hat on. However, when the inspectors got to Mary they suspected her of having tuberculosis. As Mary was pulled off line to be examined, she was forced to come forward with the truth, she was a woman.

provisionbackup.alexporter.eu

As the examination was about to begin, Mary Johnson (above) was forced to admit she was a woman in mens clothing. She told the doctor "I might as well tell you all, I am a woman and have traveled in male attire for fifteen years." More importantly she explained why she was dressed as a man. She said that as a woman making a decent wage and working in a safe environment was impossible and as a woman she'd never be able to live a comfortable life. She said at the age of 35 she decided it was in her best interest to dress and portray herself as a man. As Mary was examined she was given a clean bill of health, both physically and mentally. She had enough money on her not to be held as a public charge. However, she was kept on Ellis Island overnight to await a decision of what would happen to her. This then caused a second problem, where to let Mary sleep over night, in the men's or women's dorms. In the end she was given a private room in the hospital to spend the night.

cruiselinehistory.com

The next day Mary was released and given the ok to reenter the United States. Her story however had made it off the island and Johnson was for the day the most popular person in New York City. She was even interviewed by the New York Sun and the New York Times. In the interviews she again explained her reasons for dressing as a man. Stating, “Women have a hard time in this world,” that "women were merely walking advertisements for the milliner, the dry goods shops, the jewelers, and other shops” and she would rather, "live a life of independence and freedom.” You've got to hand it to her, Johnson knew what she wanted out of life and knew exactly how she would get it. Mary Johnson aka Frank Woodhull would return to New Orleans and live out her life, eventually becoming an American citizen. She would die in 1939 in New Orleans. But more importantly we see that the struggle for women's equality is an intricate part of American History. The dangers and environments women faced in the work place in the early 20th century were barely a step up from that of 19th century. Throughout American History we see this struggle continue and gain much ground. Today we still see women in search of an equal playing field in the workplace and in life. Mary Johnson is the best example of how women will always keep their fight for equality alive and do what necessary to achieve it.