Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-08-24
The Ogdensburg Disturbances.

III that CITY
During the latter part of last week the
city was billed with placards, stating that
Baron de Camin" would deliver ora.
tions on Aurioular Confession and Popery,
at Lyceum Hall, on Tuesdays and We'd
nesday evenings. The bills stated that
one of these orations would be delivered
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 Ca
tholic Church, during service on Sunday,
| both cautioned the members of their re-
spective congregations to keep away from
the Baror's lecture, and in every way re-
frain from anything that should tend to
disturb or interfere with his meeting. The
advice of both was very proper and COM
10 endable.
About the hour for the opening of the
meeting on Tuesday evening slight dis
turbance occurred on the street by loud
discussion between a couple of excited
persons, which ended in little hooting.
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 go 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 10 order, saying that the meet
ing must not be disturbed, and those who
did not like the remarks could retire. A
scene Of confusion then ensued, in which
the men and boys who had last entered
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 are told. forced their way
into the hall. After they went in moth
ing was said calculated to irritate or Of
fend, and there was consequently not the
slightest excuse for their act. The mayor
WIS summoned, and every precaution
taken to maintain peace. A carriage was
procured and the Baron conveyed to his
boarding house.
We are sure that every law abiding por-
son, no matter what his creed, politics or
profession, will set his face as flut against
such attempts to disturb or break up q
public or private meeting.
The interruption Of the meeting created
the greatest degree of excitement among
the Protestant portion Of the community.
During the afternoon Of Wednesday, Baron
de Camin i4sued in hand bill, an appeal
to American citizens, calling upon them
to come out and defend him in the right
to speak. Some time in the course of the
day, Judge A. B. James, who is the con-
trolling owner of the room, notified the
Baron that he could not have the hall on
Wednesday evening. This fact, however,
was known only by few, and about the
hour announced FOR the lecture, crowds
of men started for the hall, to find i'll
closed and learn that it would not be
opened for the purpose of the Baron's lee
ture.
The announcement led to the xpression
of variety of opinions as to the ultimate
effect of this decision. About the hour
for the lecture, Baron de Camin appeared
at the entrance of the hall, but was taken
into custody by the police, by the direo-
ton of Judge janice, and conveyed TO the
police headquarters. The officers were
followed by a crowd who hooted and
shouted like a pack of savsges. This
crowd fingered about the police headquar-
tiers till late hour. At q score of points
along Ford Street knots and crowds of
men of all religious faiths and denOmiua- |
tions collected, and earnestly and dispas-
siouately discussed the propriety and
effect Of the proceedings which
had { ken place in connection with this
mans visit 10 the city. 1t is apparent
to every one that deep seated feeling
exists among Protest4nts that an outrage
h.1 been committed upon the right of
free speech, and thu opinion is entertain,
ed by Republicans and Democrats alike
aud there Is deep settled determine
ton to defend the man in the exercise of
this right.
We have no sympathy with Baron de
Camin, or his mission, but we defend his
right to speak to all who want to 90 and
hear him and are willing to pay for that
privilege, and we believe all good and
law abiding citizens of every creed and
party join US in this position.
If de Camin's mission to Ogdensburg |
was to array the Protestants against the
Catholics, the men who rushed into the
Hall, Tuesday night, have made it a sue
cess a thousand fold more than any words
he could utter.
About ten o'clock the crowd became so
great at the police headquarters that
Judge james ordered it to disperse,
stating that if they did not go quietly to
their homes he would proceed to appoint
a large force of policemen and take them
into custody. This had the desired effect,
for the crowd at once dispersed.
TIE CUBANs.-Tho Cubans in New
York, who fight their country's battles at