Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1858-1859, 1859-10-08

democratic Pr1uctPlcs In Washington u
COuuty---The Discussion beayveen Mr..
blair and Henry M. Setter, Editor Of
the Democratic County Organ.
To the Aditors Of the Ainnesotian:
We had q rousing meeting of thu Republi.
cans last evening to greet Missouri's Liberty
Champion, the Hon. Frank P. Blair. About
800 assembled at the lower warehouse, and
were called to order by Mr.. Van Vorhes, at
about Pm.
Mn. Blair was greeted with cheers upon be-
ing introduced, and chained the audience with
his impregnable arguments for about 2a hours,
being frequently interrupted with cheers and
applause. 1t would be impossible for me to
give you even sketch Of his speech, for in
this manner could not do him Justice
But after Mr.. Blair sat down, the Demo
Gratis thought to give us comedy, (and they
succeeded undoubtedly to their hearts con-
tent by calling out the great Democratic pro-
slavery champion of Washington county Hon.
Ii. M. Setter, editor of the Saltwater Demo-
crat, and State Prison Warden, who under
took to answer Mr.. Blair. Reading from his
notes, he reviewed and gave the Democratic
Interpretation of the ordinance of 1887; as
serted that "regulations did not mean laacs /"
they meant something else !-and hence it
was not intended that Congress should have
the right to make any laos, only regulationa
So, Of course, Douglas idea of the people reg
alating their own domestic affairs in their
own way, did not mean that they were to
make laws
His next point was Utah-(groans and
Kisses intermingled with Utah Democratic
cheers) and he had a very high opinion Of
Messrs. Clay and Webster for their great
craftsmanship, in introducing and carrying
through the Missouri Compromise. He then
stated there was no slavery in any Of the ter
ritories of the United States When some
one asked him-how was it in New Mexico
That was choker but he finally caved in,
amidst much laughter. He stated he was a
member of our Constitutional Convention, and
that there was nothing in the Organic Act Of
Minnesota nor he thought in the Constitution,
prohibiting slavery. cloud laughter) Hence
as slaves were property, and could be carried
wherever slavery was not prohibited, of course
the slavers could bring their niggers even to
Minnesota He was very happy to sympa-
thize with the Republicans in relation to the
poor whites of the South, though, he said, quite
number could read and even write. Laugh.
ter.) He acknowledged that the South was 60.
ing in for more slave territory south; but
that Florida, Texas, Louisiana, were slave
territories when purchased, and the people
understood it. He charged the ceding of the
northern part of Maine to Great Britain, to the
Wings, and then admitted that it was done by
John Tyler! Shouts of laughter.) He did
not consider the law suppressing the slave
trade finality but was willing to leave that
subject t.. the people, like Douglas squattel
sovereignty. Then he extended the spread
eagle bit over "poor down-trodden Cuba "
and wound up by asserting that Cuba was
equal in intelligence and commerce to any
part Of southern Europe!
Mr.. Blair had to furnish the poor fellow
with dates all the way through. Most Of hi:
speech was too ridiculous to report, being a
perfect farce on all true Democratic principles
After the honorable gentleman had resumed
his seat, Mr.. Blair was called upon to reply
which he did, courteous!y, yet trenchantly
wiping Setter and his sophistry completely
out.
The meeting broke up at - o'clock, givin
nine cheers for Frank P. Blair.
i 1t was happy feast for us Black Re
publicans," and one which has done us muc
good; the discussion having brought to ou
ranks many converts. Set Washington dow
for largely increased Republican majority
Yours truly, DEoAruR.