Nothing was left undone to express Southern gratitude, and he received gifts of canes innumerable as symbols of his valor.

Yet before his death, which occurred in the following January, he confessed to his friend Orr that he was sick of being regarded as the representative of bullies and disgusted at receiving testimonials of their esteem.
With similar unanimity the North condemned and resented the assault that had been made upon Sumner.

From party considerations, if for no other reasons, Democrats regretted the event.

Republicans saw in the brutal attack and in the manner of its reception in the South another evidence of the irrepressible conflict between slavery and freedom.

They were ready to take up the issue so forcibly presented by their fallen leader.