“_Resolved_, If Northern fanatics will persist in meddling with our private institutions, we deem it expedient that Southern members should reply to them by the use of _gutta-percha_.” At a meeting in Clinton, South Carolina, the following resolutions were adopted by acclamation. “_Resolved_, That we, as a portion of the constituents of the Hon. Preston S. Brooks, do heartily agree with him in chastising, coolly and deliberately, the vile and lawless Sumner, of Massachusetts. “_Resolved_, That, for the high respect and full appreciation of Colonel Brooks’s conduct, we present him a cane from the soil of his own Congressional district, with this inscription: ‘_Use knock-down arguments_’: feeling that none other can be effectual on a perverted mind and degenerate race.” The Columbia _South Carolinian_, of May 28, spoke thus:-- “We learn that some of the gentlemen of Charleston have provided a suitable present, in the shape of a cane, to be given to Mr. Brooks, to show their appreciation of his late act of ‘hiding’ the Abolition Senator Sumner. It is to bear the inscription, ‘_Hit him again_.’ Meetings of approval and sanction will be held not only in Mr. Brooks’s district, but throughout the State at large, and a general and hearty response of approval will reëcho the words ‘_Well done_,’ from Washington to the Rio Grande.” _The Richmond Enquirer_, of May 30, reports a response from the University of Virginia. “ANOTHER CANE FOR MR. BROOKS.--We understand that a very large meeting of the students of the University of Virginia was held on Tuesday evening, to take into consideration the recent attack of the Hon. Preston S. Brooks on Charles Sumner, in the United States Senate Chamber. Several very eloquent speeches were delivered, all of which fully approved the course of Mr. Brooks, and the resolution was passed to purchase for Mr. Brooks a splendid cane. The cane is to have a heavy gold head, which will be suitably inscribed, and also bear upon it a device of the human head, badly cracked and broken. The chivalry of the South, it seems, has been thoroughly aroused.” The _Richmond Examiner_, of May 30, testifies thus:-- “The chastisement of Sumner, in spite of the blustering nonsense of the regiments of Yankee Bob Acres, who have been talking about ‘avenging his wrongs,’ will be attended with good results. The precedent of Brooks _vs._ Sumner will become a respected authority at Washington. It will be a ‘leading case,’ as it clearly defines the distinction between the liberty of speech as guarantied to the respectable American Senator and that scandalous abuse of it by such men as Charles Sumner. …