Struck unawares over the head with a loaded cane, stunned, and then the blows kept coming — while Mr. Keitt of South Carolina kept off any man disposed to attempt a rescue. No meaner exhibition of Southern cowardice — generally miscalled Southern chivalry — was ever witnessed.
Original passage & context
"The particulars show that Mr. Sumner was struck unawares over the head by a loaded cane and stunned, and then the ruffianly attack was continued with many blows, the Hon. Mr. Keitt of South Carolina keeping any of those around, who might be so disposed, from attempting a rescue. No meaner exhibition of Southern cowardice -- generally miscalled Southern chivalry -- was ever witnessed."
Printed two days after the sack of Lawrence; the same editorial page (LoC scan sn83030213, p. 4) fuses the two events: 'The acts of violence during this session -- including one murder -- are simply overtures to the drama of which the... war upon the Free-State men in Kansas, constitute the first act. We are either to have Liberty or Slavery.' The germ of 'Bleeding Kansas and Bleeding Sumner.'
Read it in the original — Furman Secession Era Editorials transcription ↗