Here's what the event showed:
The South's Growing Fury over Abolitionism: Sumner, a vocal anti-slavery advocate, had delivered a fiery speech criticizing the South's policies. Brooks, a defender of slavery, viewed Sumner's speech as a personal attack on his home state and its way of life. The brutal attack was seen as a violent response to the growing anti-slavery movement in the North.
The North's Dismay and Outrage: The assault on Sumner was met with horror and indignation in the North. Many saw it as an act of barbarity and a clear sign of the South's willingness to resort to violence to defend slavery. The incident further fueled abolitionist sentiment and widened the divide between North and South.
The Fragility of Democracy: The incident exposed the fragile nature of political discourse in a country deeply divided on slavery. The attack on Sumner, a senator, in the hallowed halls of Congress, showed how passions could easily boil over and threaten the very foundations of democracy.
The South's Determination to Protect Slavery: Brooks, while condemned in the North, was hailed a hero in the South. The incident demonstrated the South's unwavering commitment to maintaining slavery and their readiness to use any means necessary to defend it.
A Turning Point: The Sumner-Brooks affair is seen as a major turning point in the lead-up to the Civil War. It helped solidify the North's opposition to slavery and showed the South's determination to defend it at any cost. The event contributed to the growing animosity and distrust between the two sides, making the prospect of compromise increasingly unlikely.
In essence, the beating of Charles Sumner exposed the deep chasm between the North and South on the issue of slavery, showcasing the South's violent defense of slavery and the North's growing opposition to it. The incident further inflamed tensions and fueled the fire that eventually led to the Civil War.