When a congressman beat a senator unconscious, America confronted the limits of free speech
Culture Index
Score Breakdown
Relevance
3/25
Freshness
25/25
Authority
18/20
Brand Signal
11/15
Depth
3/15
5-Axis Cultural Radar
The beating of Sen. Charles Sumner in 1856 by Rep. Preston Brooks over a speech against slavery sparked a nationwide debate over free speech, political violence and the relationship between the two.
