The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1856-06-17
HILLsDALE, MICH, TUESDAY, JUNE II. 1856


4,at For the STANDARD.
/ Neal Dow and the Portland Riot.
An editorial appeared in the Hillsdalc Ga
zette of May 18th which contained certain
statements calculated to reflect dishonorably
on the character Of Neal Dow.
| The Excelsior Temple of Honor deelning il
due to the cause of Temperance, that the
charges contained in that article be fully in
vestigated appointed committee consisting
of D. D. GILLEr, /. HI. McCoLLUM, JAspEH
PACKARD, to obtain any information that
would serve to throw light in the circumstan-
ces of the Portland riot.
That Committee made their report to the
Temple on the End inst, which report is here
with submitted for publication.
a COMMITTEE Rooms,
| ht EXCELSIOR TEMPLE OF IloSoR,
HILLsDALE, Mich, May 81, 1856.
Hon. NEAL Dow--Dear Sir:-The undersigned
have been appointed the committee of our Temple
purpose that will fully appear in those resolutions,
and the editorial to which they refer; which is also
| enclosed. 7''r t.t
| TO enable the undersigned properly to discharge
whole matter before you in the hope that you may be
able to furnish them with Doeumer;ary History OF
the facts they transpred. The undersigned are
well aware--the intelligent Of this community are
also aware of the history Of tits whole ransaction
but they turn to Reliable authority extant
among us, which will fully repel the charge made
against you and common cause. 1t will also be-
seen by the enclosed editorial that the Indications
are In the direction ofa bold game the coming fall,
on the part of the Liquor interest: and it is our
desire to be fully-nay invncbly arned for the con
hct. Nor have any fears as to the final result
The citizens of the 'Peninsular state ret
rograde. They are this day unanimous for the
principle ofProhbition, they were three years ago
when by majority of (20,oo9ltwenty thousand
votes their voice was recovered in its favor Hoping
that ;ou may find it convenient to MAKE to this COM
muncation prompt ond full reply.
We are Sir, yours in n common cause,
l. II Mc,OLLUM,
JASPER PACkARD,)
PORTLAND May 81, 1856.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. favor Of the 2lst is just re-
ceived with the Resolutions and the Slip from the
TIillsdae Gazette
There Is no apology for the ntrocious fasehoods OF
that article for the facts were spread all over the
Country 100 1ei
send to each Of you BY Mail to day, report Of a
Ccssittes, which gives all the details and l sent
copy % the Gazette
am very much obliged to you and your brethren
for the kind manner in which you have interested
Yourself in that matter, and for the prompttude
with which you rcpel an attack upon my character
1t shall Ne my i'm md care. so 20 live as airays to
Justify my friends in p'ompt md peremptory de'inl
of any charge against me which implies dishonorable
or unchristian conduct.
| am gentlemen.
Most Respectfully. Your Obliged Friend.
NEAL DOW.
Officers and Brothers ofhe Excelsior Tenn
pie Of Honor.
Your Committee appointed on the 10th of
May last, to investigate certain charges made
in the editorial columns Of the Hilsdale Ga
zetto of the previous week, against Hon. Neal
Dow of Portland Me. beg leave to report.
Finding no documentary facts within their
reach which would clear up the case, your
Committee opened correspondence with the
eliminated party, with view to draw from
him, and the scene of the transaction passing
under review, faithful narrative of the facts
in the case. A copy of that correspondence
accompanies this Report, as also Pamphlet
copy of the "Report of the Committee of In
vestigatioti of the Portland Riot" made iin-
der, and to, the city authority in July 1855.
The following allegations are made in the ar
tcle you have charged your committee to in.
vestigate--to which especial attention is ihvi-
ted
lst. That Neal Dow, by ."eowardly" and
"illegal" act called out the "military of the
City of Portland"
I'd That he ordered them "to fire upon
an unarmed crowd of citizens"
3d. That said crowd chad manifested no
disposition whatever, to engage in rotous pro-
ceedings." r-f,
4th. That "an. unarmed and peaceable cit
izen was shot down while passing quietly
through the Streets o,iesr
5th. That an investigation was had, and in
progress of the inquiries instituted, sit was
discovered that the immaculate author of
the Maine Law was speculating quite largely
in the liquor business" |
THE correspondence of your committee re-
veals the following facts, bearing directly up
on the truthfulness of these allegations
Upon the 9th day Of June 1855, a COM
mittee of eighteen citizens of Portland were
appointed by the Board Of Aldermen of that
city, to investigate the circumstances attend
ant upon the extraordinary transactions of the
I'd instant, (the night of the riot) and to re-
port in such manner and form, as they should
think proper. This committee commenced
its sessions on the 18th of June, and contin-
ued the same, till having heard all averments,
by whomsoever offered, on the 10th of July;
a unanimous report was made of the evidence |
taken in committee, signed by its members,
and recommended for publication Sin pamph-
let form and in the city papers"
The claw for the suppression of drinking
houses and tippling shops" went into effect on
the first of the previous May, that act author
izad tho Mavor and Aldermen of citios N an. |
point agents for the sale of "pure liquors" for
medicinal and mechanical purposes, but such
Agent could only sell. All purchases were
by law ordered to be made, (in citics) by tho
Mayor and Aldermen. To carry out these
legal provisions the proper authorities of the
city of Portland on the third day Of May cs-
tablishcd an agency, fixed its site, appointed
an Agent, and Committee composed of tho
Mayor and two Aldermen to make the neces-
sary purchases.