The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1858-04-01
border Runianism In Minnesota !--sreat
Excitement: :-Attempt 70 stine Free
Speech IA Press Demolished !--tireat
Gathering OF the People, Sc, SGc., sc.

Speech !!-A Press Demolished !-(ireat
Gathering OF the People, Sc, Sc, sc.
On the night of the oath of Mar ch, the
Office OF the Saint Cloud Visitor was broken
open, the press demolished, and the type and
contents of the Office thrown into the street
and the river. So high handed an outrage
never before disgraced our community or
Territory. The citizens indignant at this
attempt to stife free speech and to put down
an independent press, issued call for
meeting to ne held at the .Stearns. House on
the ensuing evening, and invited the editor
TO address them. Although but few hours
notice Of the meeting had been given, yet so
large and respectable an audience was per-
haps never before convened in the Territory
north Of st. Anthony. Nearly the entire
population Of the town--men, women, and
children turned out en- masse, while large
delegations were present from Sauk Rapids
and the surrounding country. The large
and commodious rooms Of the Stearns House
were filled to sutfocation, and the windows
blockaded from without by those unable to
gain admittance.
Hon. G. 7. SrEARNs was called to the
chair, and n. n SMITH chosen Secretary of
the meeting.
Mrs. SwIssHELx the editor of the Sain
Cloud V,s,tor, then read the following al.
dress
Since the above, and the proceedings fol-
lowing this, were placed in type, we have
received Mrs. SwTssHELMs address, which
We had intended to insert in the report of
the meeting. We cannot do so, however,
for the reason that the address appeals not
only to the political prejudices and passions
of the people, but needlcssly indulgcs in in.
uendoes and reflections upon the honesty
and integrity OF men esteemed in Minnesota
as public spirited and honorable citizens
We have no sympathy with the individuals
who destroyed Mrs. SwIssHEIxs press: they
richly deserve the severe punishment the law
awards for such misdeeds but we object to
the lady in question, attempting to render a
political organization, not only respectable
and commanding in point Of numbers, but
in the intelligence and moral worth of those
composing it, responsible for the mprudence
of single individual, impelled TO unlawful
and inexcusable acts, by what he esteemed
statements rejecting upon the nearest mem
bers OF his family Eds. p. & ID.
After the reading Of the address, on mo-
tion, the Chair was requested to appoint a
committee of five 10 draft resolutions ex-
pressive of the sense Of the meeting.
The Chair appointed the following per-
sons said committee
r. H. BARRETT, l.. CARTON, n. Mason,
J.D. HYKx, and HENRY G.. kILBoURS.
On motion, the Chair appointed the tol-
lowing gentlemen Business Committee to
devise ways and means TO ensure the speedy
Republication Of the Saint Cloud |isit0r,
viz: Mus BRowx, JAMES MowAr, y. y.
SMITH. J. f. WEST, HENRY SwIssHKrx. II.
G. FOWLER, and A. ScovYrELD.
The Committee on Resolutions unani-
mousy reported the following resolutions
which were adopted with but single dis
senting voice
WHEREAS. Certain individual. did, at tie com.
- IL Vt.l.t t.ea flor q ka NM
Vtstor. attempt 10 control its course. and 10
prescribe TO the editor what articles might be
published. and what might not be published
ard whereas, they did Offer 10 support the pa
per with their patronage and influence, Prov
ded il should be made sub.ervieni TO their own
peculiar views and upon falling 10 get con
troll Of said paper, such individuals Did deter
mine 10 crush out both the editors and paper
and whereas, in pursuance Of TN. design
certain persons did. deliberately, commence al
attack upon the editor, both IN public and IN
private, slandering. viibfying and mi-represen!'
ing her, and finally resolving ,hemselves in.o ' .
vigilance committee, did meet al certain place
on the night Of the 9tth INST, and, after Goa
eoctinz a vile and thre ate ming letter, and sd
dressing the same 20 the editor Of the paper.
proceeded secretly and st.a!thiIy under cover
Of the darkness Of the night. 10 burglArionsy
enter the printing Office, break the press. and
scatter the contents Of the oAce iato The street
and river, therefore, be Il
Rssoired By the citizens of saint Cloud 10
meeting assembled, that We consider the act a.
a dastsrdly, me an, and contemplate. crirne, en-
utling lie perpetrators aiders and sbetiors
whonsOever they may be. TO home IN The
penitentiAry. and that We regard them a. be
l ngs-,~y trfH not say unacceptable ~ s'Ooping
70 any meannes. aud ut subjects fno matter
what their professions) 10 associate with eoa'
viets and felons.
! R,,olrsd That this attempt 10 s.ife free
speech and to break down 90 independent press
| bscaust i refused 10 be controlled At the meu
! dofa Of . certain ehqu-, meets With our mosi
hearty disappr rotation our s.E ongest eondemna
ton. and 0ar utter d.testatior.