The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1849-11-22

hundred miles to be present on the oc-
casion. The hunters and herdsmen
who were too poor to pay the expense
of board and lodging at the hotels,
"camped out" in the woods around the
town. Early in the morning it was dis
covered that no house could be procured
large enough to hold 1.-THE of the peo-
pie already arrived, and accordingly the
place of meeting was changed from the
City Hall to beautiful grove Of pines
in the vicinity, which, before the sun
had performed three hours space of his
long summer journey was densely crowd
ed by the eager masses--the true rulers,
whose sceptre lay in the ballot box.
1t should be remembered by the read
er that both parties had held caucuses
the previous night, and as their proceed
ings were very similar in their mode OF
conducting business, and as to their spe-
cifc object-the achievement of victory
for themseIves--it will be sufficient to
give an account of one only.
The Democratic caucus was called at
the dwelling of Col. Wharton Rector,
and the main subject of discussion re-
lated to the method which Conway
should adopt in the debate of the ensu-
ing day, and more especially as to lis
treatment of bis antagonist. Col. Ches-
ter Ashley made a powerful speech, urg-
ing gentlemanly and pacific measures,
as the safest and surest, because most
likely to propitiate the good opin-
ion Of the community. \. III. Sewer,
then & youthful aspirant, in the first brill
liant day-break Of his promise, took the
same side. But Wharton Rector, the
fiery duelist, assumed contrary ground.
His Grafton was brief but character
is;ic of the man and of the times:-s'I
know the people of Arkansas better than
any of you, because | have resided a.
mong them longer; and | tell you, from
actual observation and from experience,
that the only path to certain populari-
ty in this meridian, runs through the
arena of a furious fight Therefore,
Conway must manage to get up a fight. y
But, interposed Col. Ashley, "what
if Crittenden should refuse to fight? |
know myself that he is not a shot, and
has never been engaged in a rencoun-
ter of the sort. ,..f adf er
$50 much the better, replied Rector,
laughing. SIN that case there will be
no danger to our man; and besides, If
Crittenden should back out, he viii be
utterly disgraced, and we can then cow
hide him, off the track with inpunity."
'But suppose he should decci9e us
all, and prove himself a tremendous
hero;" suggested SEWER "Suppose
that he should accept, and kill Gen.
Conway who is there in our party to
!; supply the place of the latter"
81 have thought ofthat too, +" respond
ed Rector, Z" and have provided against
: it.-Conway must throw the onus OF
|, sending the challenge on Crittcnden,
if possible, and then we will have the
choice of weapons, distance, &c. With
pistols at ten PAGES, Conway has not an
; equal in the world" f5e
f This extraordinary advice was adopt
ed by the meeting, and Conway determin-
ed TO act accordingly. The decision of the
4 caucus might have been considered infa-
r nous, but for one fact The Wing meet.
: ing had resolved on similar course
: which was frustrated, however, by the
: manly and chivalrOus avOwal of Critten,
den, that he would sooner lose his own
life than pass the first insult, unless he
: was sure that the other meditatcd some
5 undue and insidious advantage. tt
Z Under these circumstances the debate
. began, Crittenden led off in a speech
ofinconparable excellence-mild,w witty
humorous, pathetic, and sublime, by
= turns, all the way through from begin
' ming to end, and closing in a thunder.
r burst of fiery grandeur, that literally
: shook the forest with tempestuous peal:
t of applause For of all the orators Ken
f lucky ever produced, he was truly the
most Demosibenean. His brother, JOIN
: j., was as inferior to him in power ant
= splendid effect as the Pickering of ;
: FREELY is to the strong, steady glory of ;
: fixed star. l- M 3I
: Conway followed, and appeare.
; strangely embarrassed by the bold logi,
4 and brilliant defamation of his opponent
He was politician of fine abilities, ye
e very far from being match for the other
/. Besides, Crittendens illusions were 81
: lofty, so perfectly courteous, that th'
: idea of insulting such a rival SCENE,
e shameful and revolving Accordingly
n in his first harangue, Conway, although
: exceedingly caustic, did not venture t.
employ any positive rudeness.
d Crittenden replied in a manner still
:. more imprisoned, but yet abstaine'
: from the use of language personally Of
s fensive to his antagonist. He, however
remarked, in conclusion, and his eye
IS shot lightning as he said it, ''that h
g trusted no gentleman would utter words
n in the heat of debate, towards him, sue
/ as could not be tolerated by the code c
st honor" ..r
= Conway took fire like powder at
,r torch. He bounded to his feet, an
h poured forth on the head of his oppo
5, nent torrent Of the most bitter an
$ burning denunciation. d.eo. III 81
l. Crittenden rejoined with but singl
At scntence-"Your language, Genera