The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-08-22
The Ogdensburg Disturbances.

The Ogdensburg Disturbances.
The Ogdensburg Journal of Thursday
evening gives the following account Of the
religious excitement and disturbances in
that city
During the latter part of last week the
city was billed with placards, stating
that Baron de Camin" would deliver
orations on Auricular Confession and
Popery, at Lyceum Hall, on Tuesday and
Wednesday evenings, The bills stated
that one of these orations would be dcliv-
cred before men, only, leaving the reader
to make his own inference as to its subject
matter.
We are informed that Father Mackey
of St. Mary's Irish Catholic Church, and
also Father Geanotte of the French
Catholic Church, during service on Sun.
day, both cautioned the members of their
respective congregations to keep away
from the Barons lecture, and in every
way refrain from anything that should
tend to disturb or interfere with his meet.
ing. The advice of both was very proper
and commendable.
About the hour for the opening Of the
meeting on Tuesday evening slight dis
turbance occurred on the street by loud
persons, which ended in little s hO saiits
A considerable number of persons at.
tended the lecture or Grafton. The meet
ing was organized by appointing W. L..
Thompson, chairman. The "Baron" had
proceeded with his remarks to near the
close without the least sign of disturbance
or dissatisfaction, when those who were
in the hall noticed an unusual noise on
the stairs, and Immediately afterwards
the door opened and in walked about
thirty persons, men and boys, who went
forward and took the seats nearest the
stage. The speaker turned and asked the
chairman if he should proceed, and was
told to 60 on, Soon after, the speaker
was Kissed. He retorted by saying that
he knew of but two things that Kissed, to
wit the serpent and goose. Mr.. Thomp-
son called to order, saying that the meet
ing must not be disturbed, and those who
did not like the remarks could retire.
A scene Of consusion then ensued, in
which the men and boys who had last en-
tered the hall made rush for the stage,
and those who had been present during
the evening, started to protect the speaker.
From all we can learn, the proceedings
were most exciting, and during which
the Baron was taken to the ante-room,
Nobody received injuries though threats
were made. The persons who created
the disturbance, We were told, forced
their way into the hall. After they went
in nothing was said calculated to irritate
offend, and there was consequently not
the slightest excuse for their act. The
Mayor was summoned, and every precau.
tion taken to maintain peace. A carriage
was procured and the Baron conveyed tc
his boarding house.
We are sure that every law abiding
person, no matter what his creed, politics
or profession, will set his face MS flint
against such attempts to disturb or break
up public or private meeting. There
can be no doubt the disturbers entered
the hall for no proper motive, and they
should be held responsible for their act
The interruption of the meeting created
the greatest degree of excitement among
the Protestant portion of the community
and hundreds who would not otherwise
have given the Baron ear, determined tc
attend the second lecture, if for no Other
purpose than to vindicate the right Of
free speech. During the afternoon Of
Wednesday, Baron de Camin issued in
hand bill, an appeal to American citizens
calling upon them to come out and defend
him in the right to speak. Some time il
the course ofthe day, Judge A. B. James
who is the controlling owner of the room
notified the Baron that he could not have
the hall on Wednesday evening. Thil
fact, however, was known only by few
and about the hour announced for tn,
lecture, crowds of men started for the hall
to find it closed and learn that it woult
not be opened for the purpose of tn,
Baron's lecture.
Tho announcement led to the express
ion Of Il variety Of opinions as to the ulti
mate effect of this decision. About tn,
hour for the lecture, Baron do Camin APP
peared at the entrance of the hall, bu
was taken into custody by the police, BY
the direction of Judge James, and con
veyed to the police headquarters. TIL,
officers were followed by crowd whit
hooted and shouted like pack of savag
es. This crowd fingered about the polio
headquarters till late hour. AT scor
? Of points along Ford Street knots AM
crowds of men OF all religious faiths AM
denominations collected, A and earnestl
and dispassionately discussed the propri
ETY. and effect Of the proceedings whicl
had taken place in connection with thi
mans visit to the city, 1t is apparsn