The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1852-02-14
Reception of Kossuth at Harrisburg-Dis.race
full Riot-NIilatary called out
HARRIsBURG, Jan. Id.

Harrisburg, Jan. IA.
Gov. Kossuth and suite accompanied
by the Reception Committee, arrived
here about o'clock, per special train,
having been detained on the route in con-
sequence of the breaking of car-wheel.
He was received by the Legislature and
large crowd Of citizens. The party
were conducted to sleighs drawn by four
horses each, and the procession was
formed entirely of individuals in sleighs.
They moved through the principal streets
! and finally drew up at Kerr's Hotel
where the guests were quartered. Great
enthusiasm was manifested. After din
ner the party proceeded to the State
House. .
The House met at four clock. At
about noon the ladies began to fill the hall
Of the House, and long before The time of
meeting, had completely filled the seats
of members and the floor notwithstand-
ing the joint rules which had been adop-
ted by the committee Of arrangements
The rotunda and entrance to the Hall
presented scene of dire confusion-an
immense crowd struggling for admittance.
All kind of curses were hurled at the
Sergeant and the officers on duty,
and it was certainly the most rowdy de-
monstration we ever witnessed. 1t be-
ing found impossible to check the row,
as last resort the military was sent for.
The Speaker repeatedly called to the
House to come to order, but without eff
feet. The crowd was appealed to, and in
the name of Penn entreated to clear the
rotunda and allow Senators to enter the
Hall. This entreaty was turned into
ridicule by the mob, who shouted and
hooted all the more. Speaker Rhey piled
his hammer in vain. Finally, in the
midst of the confusion, Judge Gillis at
tempted to address the Chair. He had
understood that the Legislature of Penn
sylvania was to receive the great Kos
suth but the seats of members were oc-
cupied by strangers. He hoped that
Kossuth would not be received in way
that would disgrace the State, and moved
that the Convention adjourn until to-mor-
row morning at 10 o'clock.
Mr.. Fraily, of Schuylkill, rose to re-
ply, but his voice was drowned by the
shouts of the mob. Every one rose to
their feet.
The Speaker desired the gentlemen to
take their seats.
Judge Gillis said that if the Speaker
would order the officers of the House to
clear the Hall of the persons who occu-
pied the places of the members, he would
take his seat.
Mr.. Fraily said he hoped the Conven-
ton would not adjourn.
Mr.. James said it was burning dis
grace that the proceedings of the Legis-
lature of Pennsylvania should be inter-
rupted by noisy ra5ble.
Judge ellis insisted upon his motion
to adjourn.
The Speaker put the question, and the
motion to adjourn was voted down almost
unanimousl y-but whether by members
or strangers it was impossible to tell.-
The negative was received with renewed
shouts and yclls and shouts by the mob.
Notwithstanding the allusion to the pla-
ces of members being occupied, the oc-
cupants of seats, principally ladies', re-
ceived the insinuation with Indifference
and made no move to vacate the same.
AT ten minutes before 5 o'clock, the
National Guard Of Harrisburg, under the
command of Capt. John R. Garland,
marched into the rotunda, and took pos
session of the doors.
The manly and efficient conduct of
Capt. Garland is worthy of all commen-
dation. Many arrests were made.
AT 5 o'clock the Governor of the Com
monwealth and Heads of Departments
were announced and entered the Hall,
whereupon the confusion in the Rotun-
da was renewed, in the midst of which, the
Sergeant -at-Arms announced the joint
Committee of the Senate and House of
Representatives, who entered, escorting
| the distinguished Governor of Hungary,
Louis Kossuth.
The chairman of the House committee
| introduced Kossuth, who took seat be-
side Gov. Johnson, on the speakers stand
The noise and confusion here became so
great that the ceremonies of reception
were suspended, and the Speaker ordered
the doors to be closed, which it was found
impossible to do, the mob having again
acquired the ascendency.
Kossuth sat calmly looking on, not a
feature of his face disturbed.
The military here marching through
the hall, went out to the back window
and filed round to the front Of the Capitol
again entering the rotunda with the in
tention of clearing it. The attempt was
futile, and in the midst of the uproar,
Gov. Johnston commenced his address to
Kossuth, not word of which was heard
beyond the clerks desk, nor even there,
and it is doubtful even if Kossuth him
self heard it.
When the Governor had concluded,
Kossuth remained standing some time un-
til the doors were closed, when he COM
menced his address amidst the deadened