Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-12-20
Moro 6 Border Ruffiaaism."

where "bor0oT kulnanlem q 10 oppleuoeo ana
upheld by Southern Shareholders and their
northern allies. The " Old Dominion" famous
for its Presidents and its Niger Drivers; its
pedantic Wises and chivalrous nonentities, has
assumed to dictate how man shall vote, and
because he exercises the right Of franchise given
him by the Constitution, the magnanimous
and ,freedom-loving citizens of this same decrep-
i'd old Virginia assaii him and threaten his
life! What right had Capt. Stannard, born on
New England soil, to vote in Virginia for John
G. Fremont? What brazen faced impudence and
audacity! Did he not know that he would Of
fend the oligarchy? And yet he did vote, and
for that act he was driven out of the State
Great God |! is it possible that such state of
things exists in America Is it possible that acts
SO wanton, so brutal, so monarchial will be up
held? Yes and there are those in the North
dsspicable enough to sanction them. There are
journals in this Territory mean enough to APP
plaud. them. Among these we may very proper
ly class the Pioneer of this city-a paper which
never loses an opportunity to show its adhesion
to the Slave power and its total disregard to
truth and deceney. As an illustration, We will
mention the fact, that short time since it de-
MED the statement of an Eastern paper that Capt
Stannard had been driven from the polls because
he voted for John G.. Fremont, and then exulted
over its self-conceited exposure of what it de-
nominated sc an abolition lie." We are person
ally acquainted with Capt. Stannard and know
him to be gentleman of veracity and character,
and in order to show our readers to what ex-
treme measures the South will resort to carry
out its ends, as well as the trucking of an
over-fed, plethoric, government pop-gun, we
copy the following article, commencing it to the
careful persual Of those 'who prefer darkness
rather than light because their deeds are evils"
The letter is addressed to the editors of the New
Haven Journal and Courier =
Statement: Of Capt. Stannard.
ur & -~t
MEssRs. EDITORS: As various and somewhat
incorrect reports are in circulation respecting
what occurred at Norfolk, Virginia, in conse-
quence of my vote in that City, at the late Pfesi
Dental election, desire to make correct state
ment of the fact.
formerly resided in Fair Haven, where my
family are now, and ever have been, but having
Commission business in Norfolk, and having paid
taxes there, and to the best Of my abilities dis
charged my duties as a citizen Of that place, l
have considered it my residence - and in the
Spring of 1855 offered to vote at their election,
when, upon full statement of my case to the
proper authority, and with their knowledge that
my family were here, it was decided that was
entitled to vote there, and did so.
z have never in any way meddled with the sub
jeet of Slavery--having no inclination, nor, as l
believed, any right to do SO = consequently there
has been no i'll feeling towards me on that ac-
count. so
Before the election, many political meetings
were held in Norfolk, but did not attend any
of them, nor did converse with any one on the
subject, except on one occasion in answer to an
inquiry made by friend, and then for moment
only. But although neither an abolitionist or
politician, examined the subject as question
Of duty for me, wei! as for every citizen of the
United States, and made up my mind that the
election of Fremont would be best for all sections
of the country, and determined to vote for him
not dreaming that under our Republican govern
ment, and in the Democratic State of Virginia,
any one would question my right to do so. On
the day of election | heard one gentleman ask
another at the Post Office, who he should vote for,
and he replied--'sfor John G. Fremont"--and the
other said he should do SO too. They may not
have been in earnest, but then supposed that
they were, and had no reason to doubt that
others would vote the same way; and in the
afternoon wrote vote for Fremont and Day
ton, and went to the place of voting. My right
to vote was again examined, and on Q statement
of my case it was admitted, and then, as their
rules require, wrote my name on the back of my
vote and handed it to the Inspector, who, as is
customary, read aloud my name and then the
names of my candidates. As soon as he declared
that voted John G. Fremont, large number of
voices from the crowd shouted - Chang him."
chang him." and the Inspector handed me my
vote, and said, ssThere is no such ticket voted
here-we cannot receive this" replied, Every
wefl," and took my vote again. Some threats,
which in the confusion took place did not
distincly understand, were made by those stand
Ing near me, and the presiding officer exclaimed,
.sDon't touch this man." and then said to two
persons who were, presume, policemen, sstake
Rim away from the polls" The officers seized
hold of me and hurried me through the crowd,
and then left me- and proceeded through q
violent storm Of wind and rain to my boarding
house, and from thence to my store. afterwards
returned to the house, and when at the supper
table heard persons speak of the vote which
had been offered at the polls for Fremont-those
who spoke of it not knowing by whom the vote
was offered and therefore speaking freely Of it in
my presence. From what saw and heard at the
polls, and what was said at the table, ] was APP
prehensive that / had misunderstood my rights
as an American citizen, and that had, though
unconsciously, so offended public sentiment by
my vote as to be in danger Of popular violence,
and therefore went from the table to my room,
and locked the door. Soon after this heard some
one inquire for me and the landlady sent serv-
ant to my door to say that q gentleman wished to
see me. On learning that he was alone, invited
him to my room, and he said that he came by re-
quest Of another person (whom he named) to ask
me if had offered to vote for Fremont. replied,
ssYes." He then inquired, ssWhat was your
motive2" And told him that conscientiously
believed it my duty to do so. He then said, 81
am requested to advise ysu not to appear in the
street tonight )" and replied that should not
90 out Of the house. He retired, but soon after
returned, and said, 'sMr. F. wishes to see you at
the door," told him that l should not leave
my room that night, but that if Mr.. F. wished to
see me, he might come to my room. He then left
me, and another person came to my door, and
informed me that Mr.. f. was not at the front
door, but that several men whom he named, were
there; and knew those men to be some OF the
most desperate characters in Norfolk. This was
in the evening, and by the city lamps could see
from my window a collection OF persons IN the
street, whose numbers increased until late In the
night, and heard their threats of violence to my
person, and destruction to my property. Towards
morning, a FIRE occurred, and an engine passed
near BY, which drew after it a portion OF those
around the house, and attracted for time the
attention of others, and took the opportunity
to leave the house unobserved, and went to .
place Of concealment. Whilst in my hiding place
some friends took pains to ascertain whether 1t
was prudent for me tc appear again in public,
and they found such . state of excitment and ex-
ASPIRATION existing in consequence of my vote,
that my life would be in danger If was discov-
cred. They also found that the customary routes
of travel to the North were closely watched al
though many believed that had already left the
City. t.s.., et.s. fsh 80.
Early in the morning Of the second day after
DIV unfortunate vote escaped from the city By