New-York daily tribune., 1858-04-07
BORDER RUFFIANISM IN MINNESOTA.

MRS. SWISSHELMS PRESS DESTROYED.
We learn from the st. Paul papers that on the
morning OF the 9th of March the Office Of IT. 81
Ciopd Vi.itor published and edited by Mrs. Swiss
helm wac broken open the press demolished, ar the
tyne aud contents of the office thrown into the street
and the liver. The citizens, indignant at this attempt
to stiAe free speech aud put down an independent
press Issued call Cor a meeting to be held at the
Searns House on the ensuing evening, and invited the
editor to address them. Although but a few hours
notice of the meeting given early the entire popu-
lation of the town men, women and children turned
cut en- asse while large delegations were present from
Sank Rapids and Inc surrounding country.
The IIop Charles 4. Steans called TO the chair,
and n. n. Smith chosen Secretary to the meeting.
Mrs. Swssbelm, the editor of The 81. Cloud visitor
then read al address, which occupies some two
columns Of The Times. She charges the outrage upon
her press to Gen. Lowrie, James Shepley and other
heads OF aiisocrac Bucbarar fsmilies some OF whom
have since confessed the act, who have taken ohense
at the plainspoken and straightforward conduct she
has pursued as EDITOR OF Tie Visitor on the Slavery
question al matters of local controversy.
Resolutions were adopted sustaining The visitor,
stigmatzp the act in question ~ " daardy, mean
"aud contemplate crime, and its perpetrators as
"not entitled to the respcc. due even common mob
"but coming within the range OF thieves burglars aud
"asssssins, who ought TO emgrate " to Arkansas or
[" the F.jee Islands where they may indulge IN tue
p!e asant pastme Of destroying printing presses anu
'epgseipg in burglary and robbery without annoyance
Tor il Jury to peaceful and law-abiding citizens.
The preamble to the resolutions gives one version oi
the affair in paragraph:
Certain Individuals did, at the commencement of the
prblicatinn of Tho 81 Cioud Visitor attempt t.
t,,l itac apd IN In
articles might be published, ard what might not be
published and did offer TO support the paper WIN
with their patronage and Influence, provided II shouid
be made sutseryieot 10 their own peculiar View' anu
upon failing TO get control e said paper such ndlvl.
duals determined TO crush out both the editor and
paper; and IN pursuance Of this desigp certain
persons did deliberately commerce an attack upon tue
editor, both in public and private slsnderlnS viy'
Lg and msrepresenting her and then tesON ms them
seves into vigilance committee Old meet at a Ger.
tsin place ou the night of the eth lDst and, after
concOctipg vile and threatening letter. and address
the tn the editor Of the paper proceeded secretly
and steathily, uucer cover of tie darkness ol tue
night TO buresrously enter the printing office, break
the press and scatter the contents OF the Office INTO
the street atd river.
The Sank Rapids Froattersm0p gives an account
of meeting held by the friends Of Mr.. Shepey. which
addr ,sed by him. lie read those portions OF his
lecture which he said had called forth tue attack o
The Isaor upon his family; spoke o: the effects OF
such statements going out to the world and stated a.
fact that the character given to the class OF women IN
the offensive article published in The Vstor had been
circuated about 81. Cloud by Mrs. ;. as sppylnS
to his wife and family, aud after an sppsa 10
the feelings Of the audience, stated that he hiih-
self Lad destroyed the establishment, and was
ready TO suer the consequences OF the act-thal De-
ore be had done so he had taken care 70 secure t"e
owner of the property, who is now absent against lo''
AID bad consulted with his friends. In fact, that
George f. Brott who owned the press, was one OF lis
bes, friends Mr. Shepey further stated in Justhca
ton of bis course, that he knew other and seVefei
hipgs were being prepared for his family
We rust coIfess our surprise, says me frowaSr. IT,
man. al the attempt on the part OF the editor OF ae
Tistor to give political beaiiog to the afalr i91
there seemed not the least ground for it whatever.
must have been evident 10 sll who heard her si.n
Of the affair 1t seems TO US that the whole tniag
grew out of the fanced or real attack OF Mrs S"''s
helm upon the family of Mr.. Shepey.