Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1842-02-22
THE BLOOD STAINED CAPITOL OF WIS
CONSJN

CONSIN.
No event has ever transpired in the West, viii
has been productive of such deep felt modification
to the people, as the recent act of violence in the
Capitol of this Territory. Wisconsin like youth
Just coming upon the stage of action, had already
acquired a reputation extended far and wide. Tho
as Territory we were young in years, yet our
good name had spread over the Union, and across
the waters of the Atlantic. Our rapid progress In
population, wealth and Improvements, everywhere
commanded charlottesville moral, social, and IN
telectua character of our population, excited every
where strong feelings in our favor, and thousands
from the land of the Pilgrims, the Empire State,
and various other portions of the Union, were anx-
ously looking to this Territory their future
home; where congenial society and kindred senti-
ments, might be enjoyed in full fruiton.
But while our good name was our pride and glo-
ry, the evil hour came-the foul stain of blood was
fixed upon our beloved Territory. In the sacred
hall of legislation-in the sanctuary dedicated to
political + ,rty, has been enacted a scene of vlo
ence and death. AS the intelligence of this deed
of blood goes forth from Territory, thrill Of
horror will reyerberate from State to State and
indignant thunders viii echo, and re-echo, from
the shores of the Atlantic, and from the farthcrmost
abodes of civilization in the distant West. The
press like surcharged battery, will heap invec-
tves upon us-seek to tarnish our name, and charge
the barbarous deed as a characteristic of our popu-
aton. All this and even more see IN the pros
pective tempest lowering over our heads. But
Notwithstanding the evils that betdc US, we shall
endeavor as much as in US lies, to calm the current
of popular indignation, and to retrieve the charac-
ter of our Territory. We are persuaded that when
the facts in this case, shalbe fully presented to the
public, the great body of the people of Wisconsin
will stand acquitted before the bar of public opin
ion. Certain are, that vast majority of the
people of the Territory regard the late outrage in
the Capitol with deep detestation, and that they
pudiate with horror the idea, that this vile transac
ton is characteristic of our people.
The practice of carrying deadly weapons is no
where countenanced in this Territory; unless it be
with some few exceptions in western and mining
districts. A man would be no more tolerated IN
carrying pistol or bowie knife about his person
in eastern Wisconsin, than he would be in the
most refined portions of New England. In no
part Of the United States would the finger of
and contempt, sooner fasten upon a man who
should carry about his person the implements of
DEATH than here. And why should it be other
wise9 Almost the entire population of eastern
Wisconsin, is composed of emigrants from New
York and New England-they have brought with
them, to this country, that respect for law-that
love Of civil and religious rights, which distinguish
the parent land. They cherish that order and
morality, for which the people of New England are
proverbial
We have said that there may be some excep-
ton to the sentiment, which prevails in this Terri
tory with respect to the practice of carrying deadly
weapons A portion of the inhabitants in the wes-
tern aud mining districts, are of southern origin
some of them still retain in degree those false
notions of honor and of chivalry, for which the
states from whence they emanated, are proverbial.
And it is to these relics Of barbarism which are
retained in some particular localities that the hor-
rlble occurrence at Madison is to be attributed
But we would not be understood to mplicate the
whole population of the mining Districts as being
chargeable with the sentiments and practices to
which we have alluded. There are many good
and virtuous men in the mining country who utter
ly despise the heroes of pistol and bowie knives
they would heartily rejoice, were they rid of the
armed asasssns who prowl in society. And it is
hoped that the bloody aray at the capitol, will have
tendency to arouse the public feeling in that pro-
portion of Wisconsin, and that those who are in the
habit of carrying deadly weapons, concealed about
their persons, will meet from public opinion such
tide Of rebuke, contempt and scorn, will compel
them to abandon their cowardly and dastardy ha-
bits. We trust the election precincts will hereafter
consider it deep and damning disgrace to elect a
legislator who is in the habit of bunting his moral
senslbilities at the gaming table, and who is known
to carry pistol or bowie knife.
We entreat the public abroad to pause before
they charge the dark and infamous deed upon the
people of Wisconsin. The citizens of this Terrific
ry shrink back appalled, from the thought, that any
should give countenance to the crime that has
stained our fair country. 1t is true the man who
shed the blood of his fellow man in the capitol h
trlends-strong friends; those who ardentlv desire
his escape from the righteous judgment of the law;
but whatvlllaln, however daring or impious may
have been his crimes, has not had friends and con-
genial spiris9 None. Whenever it shall appear
that the great body of the people OF Wisconsin, have
a fellow feeling or sympathy for the perpe-
tfator of the dark crime, them and not till then let
the indignation of the people of the United States,
rest upon the people of Wisconsin.
The Wisconsin Enquirer deserves much credit
for the fearless and independent manner in which
the death Of c. c. p Arndt, who came to his un-
timely end by a base assassin, was noticed in that
paper We are happy to say that the Enquirer al
ways takes noble stand on all questions affecting
the moral and social Interests of the people. We