WI: Brooks Had Killed Charles Summer in 1856

Just what the title says. I'd be particularly
interesting in hearing from my fellow posters
on-

*- Whether or not this would have hastened
the advent of the ACW
*- What the effect of Sumner being butter-
flied away would have had on Reconstruction
 
So I think even all but the extreme fire-eaters would recoil from beating a man to death, whereas the North would have gained a genuine martyr. Whether the reaction in the South is enough to give moderates enough power to overcome the split in the Democratic party or at least to switch from independent secessionists to cooperationist secessionist, I don't know. A lot will depend on the specifics of the criminal trial.
 
So I think even all but the extreme fire-eaters would recoil from beating a man to death, whereas the North would have gained a genuine martyr. Whether the reaction in the South is enough to give moderates enough power to overcome the split in the Democratic party or at least to switch from independent secessionists to cooperationist secessionist, I don't know. A lot will depend on the specifics of the criminal trial.


Which, as Brooks had only six months to live, might still have been under appeal when he died.
 
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