Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1857-09-03
Douglas 81 de bottom efa, DC, Dc.

from The St. Paul Times, Aug Doth
1t is our unpleasant duty to announce to
the people Of Minnesota that yesterday
afternoon in the committee of Conference,
in imitation of Bully Brooks assault upon
Senator Sumner, AMI in as cowardly and
dastardly manner, and without any adj
'equate provocation, Willis A. German
made violent attack, with heavy cane,
upon one of the Republican members of
the Committee, Mr. Wilson. OF Winona,
being we suppose, the commencement
of the Border Ruflian campaign in Mime
sofa
The particulars Of this shameful outrage
are briefly these: M H-a
Our citizens are aware tina: joint Com
mittee circumference, of the two houses of
the Convention to form a State Constitu-
ton, has been in daily session for some
time past, in the Sccretary's room of the
Capitol. endeavoring to accommodate the
difficulties between the two branches, so
as to unite upon the submission of only
one Constitution to the people
AS we announced yesterday, on Monday
the object of this compromise failed, owing
mainly to the insulting and unaccomoda-
ting spirit exhibited by Gov. German.
But yesterday, the Committee again
met, to see if the two Constitutions could
not be made identical as to the Legislative,
Judicial and Congressional appointments,
and that the State officers shall be the same
in both Constitutions, and that both these
documents shall be submitted to the peo-
pie on the same day, and the same
polls. @
They agreed, we understand, on all these
points, except the way in which the peo-
pie should vote for, and against the two
Constitutions. The matter was partially dis
cussel in the Morning session on prop
osition submitted by German. but which
was not agreed to; after which another
mode was suggested by Mr.. Wilson, the
Republican delegate from Winona. but not
acted upon when the Committee adjourned
for dinner.
In the afternoon the Committee again
took up the subject. Judge Sherburne
and Mr.. Wilson engaged in an informal
discussion or conversation relative to it,
Mr.. Wilson sitting in chair with his feet
elevated upon stand or table, while the
Judge walked the floor. Ex-Governor
German was reclining on a settcc against
the west wall, to the right hand of and a
little back of where Mr.. Wilson was sitting.
To an explanation which Mr.. Wilson gave
the Judge of his proposition, the latter re-
piled, that he chad misunderstood, or mis-
apprehcndcl Mr.. Wilson's proposition
when it was made in the morning." Gov
crnor German hercupon interfcr,l in the
conversation to remark with an inuen 10
There were number Of your crowd,
Judge, that misunderstood it in the morn
ing" To this Mr.. Wilson replied, Il
hope some men will always misunderstood
me- always choose my own company
Then said German raising himself partly
up from his recunlbent posture, with his
cane in his hand, ''Do you mean me?''-
Mr.. Wilson Immediately replied, Most
certainly, mean you, Governor" Where
upon German sprang mp with heavy gold
headed ebony cane and unexpectedly struck
MIR. Wilson a cowarily aud trcachcrous
blow on the head just above the left temple,
breaking his cane into pieces with the vi
olence of the blow, ana Knocking Mr.
Wilson and the chair upon which he sat
both over on the floor; and then while
Wilson was almost stunned, followed ur
his first cowardly attack BY striking him
several blows with his fist while he was w.
ing upon the floor -
The whole affair was but the work of q
few moments of time. Col. Aldrich, a,
soon as possible caught hold of Gormar
to prevent his repeating the blows. Mr.
Wilson then quickly obtained his feet. and
seizing his own cane, rushed towards Cor.
man, when the cowarlly fellow cried out
in great terror, s.don't let him hit me-don'l
let him hit me-"
/ Some members of the Committee tool
hold of Wilson, and the disgraceful alfia,
1 ended, German sneaking out and running
home without his hat. ere anybody coul,
turn around and inquire into the partic
ulars which led to his brutal assault. HI
has not been SEEN or heard of since
! The provocation for this assault was 81
insufficient that it leads to the belief tina
! German was seeking for some such oppor
tunity to break up the committee, and al
| hope of any compromise, in this brutal way
1, and that among other purposes. he doubt
less had in view tn, retrieving Of his repu
tationfor bravery which he lostwhen Col
Mobiles whipped him so badly on St. An
thony street in June last .ss4 ssi,,,s.e,4.
THE ADVENT OF DOUGLAS AND THE SIGNAL Fol
DREAMING UP THE CONFERENCE.
/ The extreme anxiety latterly cvinccd b,
even the more moderate amongst the mem
bers Of the Democratic Minority Conven
ton to break up the Conference Committe
and prevent compromise on one Consti
tuition, is iDexplicable to many, and set
men to thinking what cs : be the motive o
all this?--what are the rascals after now
what deep-laid plans. what cunning skull
dugery, Is underneath? ao9 tes ,useiidf
4 That it entirely since the advent o
Douglas In St. Paul that this change o
feeling amongst the Democracy has occur
red, Is evident; and il Is more than prob
able that Douglas. while in public pretend
Il ing to be in favor of moderation and com
u promise. has brought to the assistance o
the duller brains Of the party here. his owl
superior experience and proficiency in pc