Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-10-31
In another column will be found express

In another column will be found express
sons from the Racine Advocate and Milwau-
kee Democrat, with regard to the aequittal of
Vineyard. They are such expressions as
an ardent love for the welfare and honor of
our young territory and her institutions would
naturally dictate. We have no disposition
to question the motives ofsuch editors in the
territory, as have chosen to pass over this ac-
quittal in slcncc but we cannot help think
ing that they show a disregard of the dearest
Interests of the territory-interests which it
seems to us, it is the peculiar province of
the press to guard.
Many will doubtless think that as the dcci-
sion ofthe court has been had and the prisoner
is fully secure from further prosecution, that
the matter might as well be permitted to
drop, without further remark. For ourselves.
we believe that this decision of the court is
rcprobated by the people of Wisconsin, and
it is this fact which we wish to hold up TO
the world. The foul deed was blazoned to
the uttermost parts of the earth. and when
the decision of the court goes abroad stamp
ing upon it the sanction of a virtuous people
we, for one wish to hold up this implied
sanction as a foul and unmtigatcd lie and IL
bel upon people who would shrink with
horror from the bare suspicion. And we al
Jude to again, and propose to make state
ment or two, for the purpose of arousng more
fully the public attention to the subject-that
by clearly seeing that the commoncst princi-
pies of law and justice have been UNDECIDED,
the people may cast about them for the re-
medy. The security of people is alone in
the proper administration of justice, and to
guard and preserve such administration pure,
should be their chief care. In our opinion,
it can only be done by bringing the admins
traitors of the law in closer connection with
the people whom they af1ect-by taking our
government into our own hands. and rcoula-
ting our own judiciary. We cannot hope for
better nor different state of things, as long
as we get our Judges as we do now, for
though they may not be to blame for all the
sins of the courts, they yet give them their
tone and character.
The Racine Advocate speaking of the
matter quotes from the established law, as
follows: "Where the provocation is sought
by the party killing, and induced by his own
act, in order to afford him pretext for wrca-
king his malice, it will in no case be of anv
avail" That the provocation in this case
was thus sought there is not shadow doubt
MIR. Arndt made an assertion which to every
one present was known TO be strictly true !;
Mr. Vineyard, from his seat on the floor of
the Council, in passionate manner decla-
. red it TO be falsehood; Mr. Arndt contn-
ued his remarks in decorous manner with
out noticing the interruption; Mr.. Vineyard
continued TO interrupt him, notwithstanding
the cries order in boisterous and passion
ate language; Mr.. Arndt's only reply was,
/ that there was another, or more appropriate
time and place where their difficulty could
be settled. When the Council adjourned
Mr.. Andt advanced TO Mr.. Vinavard and
asked him if he persisted in imputing false.
hood to him, Mr.. Vineyard in the same pas
sionate manner, replied that he did; Mr.
Arndt then struck him. and Immediately Mr.
D Vineyard shot him dead When Vineyard
charged Arndt with falsehood, he well knew
that Arndt was telling the truth; with his
e hand on the weapon in his pocket, he reiter.
!. ated the charge, and when the blow follow
ed, SO well had he matured his plans that nc
sooner was he touched than his victim was
| shot dead. These are the facts, and if it is
the law tina, where the provocation is sought