Was Preston Brooks punishment was reasonable?

Preston Brooks faced minimal punishment for his violent attack on Charles Sumner in 1856, which many viewed as insufficient given the severity of his actions. His actions were seen as a reflection of the intense political tensions of the time, and the relatively light consequences he faced highlighted the deep divisions within American society. While some believed that his actions warranted a harsher response, others viewed his behavior as justified in the context of the era's brutal political climate. Ultimately, whether his punishment was reasonable depends on one's perspective on the values and norms of that historical moment.