Contribution from N.G. – Anson Burlingame’s historic 1856 speech…

April 4, 2025 by  
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Many are familiar with the anti-slavery speech of Senator Charles Sumner which was greeted with his near-death caning (repeated blows from a walking stick) by Senator Preston Brooks was pro-slavery. However, I was not aware of Congressman Anson Burlingame’s fiery defense of Sumner’s position which is credited for being instrumental in galvanizing the pro-abolition resolve of Northern citizens. It is interesting to note how often good grows from the pain and suffering of adversity, suffering, and ill-intent. What Brooks intended to silence abolitionist views spawned quite the opposite.

I am indebted to one of our collecting friends, N.G., who brought this historic speech to our attention.  The full text was printed in several newspapers of the day, including the New York Daily Tribune dated June 25, 1856. Whereas a snippet is shown below, the text of his entire speech is available online.

Background (source – GROK):

The Burlingame Speech of 1856, formally titled “Defense of Massachusetts,” was delivered by Anson Burlingame, a U.S. Representative from Massachusetts, on June 21, 1856, in the House of Representatives. Its significance lies in its bold confrontation of the escalating tensions between the North and South over slavery, its defense of Northern principles, and its role in galvanizing anti-slavery sentiment during a pivotal moment in American history.

The speech was a direct response to the brutal caning of Senator Charles Sumner by Representative Preston Brooks on May 22, 1856, an event that shocked the nation and intensified sectional conflict. Sumner, a Massachusetts senator, had delivered an anti-slavery speech titled “The Crime Against Kansas,” which provoked Brooks, a pro-slavery Southerner from South Carolina, to attack him with a cane on the Senate floor. Burlingame’s address condemned Brooks’ actions as an assault not only on Sumner but on free speech, Massachusetts, and the broader cause of liberty. He described the attack vividly, stating that Brooks “stole into the Senate, that place which had hitherto been held sacred against violence, and smote [Sumner] as Cain smote his brother,” framing it as a moral outrage that transcended personal violence.

The significance of the speech is multifaceted. First, it marked a turning point in Northern resolve. Burlingame’s fiery rhetoric and unapologetic stance signaled that Northern leaders would no longer tolerate Southern aggression passively. He defended Massachusetts’ anti-slavery efforts, including its personal liberty laws that resisted the Fugitive Slave Act, and praised its role in opposing the spread of slavery into Kansas. This defiance challenged the South’s expectation of Northern compliance and asserted a willingness to fight for democratic principles.

Second, the speech had immediate political repercussions. Burlingame’s scathing denunciation of Brooks as a coward provoked a challenge to a duel, which Burlingame accepted. His choice of rifles and a location on the Canadian side of Niagara Falls—knowing Brooks would hesitate to travel through hostile Northern territory—forced Brooks to back down, enhancing Burlingame’s reputation as a fearless anti-slavery advocate. This episode amplified the speech’s impact, turning Burlingame into a Northern hero and further polarizing the nation.

Finally, the speech contributed to the growing momentum of the Republican Party and the abolitionist movement. Delivered at a time when the nation was fracturing over slavery, it rallied Northerners to the cause of freedom and democracy, reinforcing the idea that the conflict was not just about policy but about fundamental values. Historians note that it resonated widely, with one observer calling it “the most celebrated speech” of Burlingame’s career, reflecting its emotional and political resonance.

In summary, the Burlingame Speech of 1856 was significant for its bold stand against Southern violence, its defense of Northern ideals, and its role in mobilizing anti-slavery sentiment, making it a key moment in the lead-up to the Civil War.

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