A DARK BUSINESS AND INDIAN MASSACRE

 

Frederick Douglass.

Samuel R. Ward.

Cortland County Express, May 16, 1850.

A DARK BUSINESS.

   We intensely sympathize with our Democratic fellow citizens, Prof. Grant, Capt. Isaiah Rynders, Hon. Dan. E. Sickles, etc., for the severe discomfiture they experienced at the Abolition Convention at the Tabernacle yesterday.

   Unsuccessful in their attempts to kick up a row of respectable discussions, they attempted for once in their live to reason, and being invited to the stand, undertook to demonstrate that the negro is not a human being, though the learned Professor thought he belonged to the genus homo; and then he launched out into the sea of learning, cited naturalists, quoted Latin, talked of vertebrae cerebellum, &c., using scientific and medical terms in such profusion as to make himself ridiculous and excite the risibility of the audience hugely. A person of due shrewdness and learning might possibly have rendered this position plausible, but those qualities were sadly lacking on the side of the Democracy on this occasion.

   Fred Douglass took them in hand and skinned them. But the Democracy wouldn't give it up so. ''O, you are not nigger!'' exclaimed the Rynders' chorus. ''You are half-blooded; a real nigger can't reason.'' Whereupon Rev. Sam R. Ward—a genuine Nigritian [Nigerian?], black as the ace of spades in a deep cellar on a rainy midnight—took the floor, and fairly extinguished the party—learning, science, logic, wit history—all went down in a heap, and the audience were thoroughly convinced that if anybody present was proved nephew of a rather dull ourangoutang [orangutan], it was Professor Grant; if anybody the first cousin of a very vicious monkey, it was Capt. Rynders. When their party evacuated the Tabernacle, they looked as if perfectly resigned to the discipline of crawling through a very small knot hole.—N. Y. Tribune.

 

THE POINT SETTLED.

   The question was recently raised among the printers, as to what member of their fraternity should be regarded as the greatest liar. It appears that when a formal call was made for names of candidates, the members, involuntarily and simultaneously shouted, " Chubbuck!— Chubbuck!" The result was highly creditable to the good sense of the gentlemen of the press, and of course they will pass round the name of the successful candidate. In proof that the editor of the Madison Co. Journal is fully entitled to the credit of being the most expert at falsehood, and which has been so promptly awarded him, we present, below, one of his fabrications, which appeared in his last paper:

   "The inhabitants of McGrawville have recently held a meeting to elect a delegate to the World's Peace Convention to be held at Frankfort-on-the-Maine. The Candidates were Benedict, editor of the Express, and Mr. C. L. Reason, a colored man. Reason was elected by a heavy majority. The result is highly creditable to the good sense of the people of McGrawville."

 

   ◘ A Tremendous row came off in New York at the recent anniversary of the American Anti-Slavery Society; speakers were hooted down by the mob, and were obliged to adjourn. Capt. Rynders played a conspicuous part in the breaking up of the meeting.

 

Stephen A. Douglas.

CONGRESSIONAL.

   WASHINGTON, April 30.—It is expected that Mr. Douglas or Mr. Benton will move for the admission of California next Monday. If either do so and the report be not ready at that time, Mr. Clay will explain.

   The committee will not delay longer than may be absolutely necessary because of the movement organizing for the President's plan.

   Mr. Benton has a bill before the Senate to buy out the claims on Texas.

   Mr. Douglas has bills for California and Territories.

   Mr. Mason has a bill for fugitive slaves. Upon these bills the plan is to be built with important modifications.   

 

Henry Clay.

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE OF THIRTEEN.

   WASHINGTON, May 8.—SENATE—Mr. Clay reported his compromise resolution, accompanied with separate bills. 1st., for admitting California with the present boundary, and expressing the opinion that the new States might be formed out of Texas. 2nd, provides Territorial government for New Mexico, and Eutaw [Utah] without provisions against the admission of slaves, and further boundaries, as reported by the Territorial Committee. 3d, for the delivery of fugitive slaves, adding to the clause, to the bill before the Senate. 4th, for the abolition of slavery in the district of Columbia.

   Mr. Clay spoke in favor of immediate action, and wished to make it the order of the day for Thursday. Mr. Turner objected.

   Mr. Phelps was opposed to the whole series of measures. Mr. Mason regretted that he could not agree only on some points.

   Mr. Downs could not assent to Texas and California boundaries. Mr. Berian did not think it would allay agitation.

   Mr. Mangum was not satisfied with all of the features of the report but cheerfully assented to it, for allaying agitation (Applause). Mr. Clemens denounced the whole plan; he was surprised at Mr. Mangums change.

   Mr. Clay censured his opposition as premature, and spoke very warmly.

   Mr. Foot lectured Mr. Clemens for his premature opposition. Mr. Clemens replied to Mr. Clay and Mr. Foot. He had no idea of being dictated by any other senator.

   Mr. Yulee thought the South had been promised the shell of an oyster. Mr. Boreland said the South would not be satisfied.

 

INDIAN MASSACRE.

   The telegraph sometime since notified us of the massacre of fourteen Chippewas by a war party of Sioux. The Minnesota Chronicle of the 6th inst. furnishes the following particulars:

   Our community has just been startled with the intelligence of another of those sanguinary scenes, so common in the annals of the two powerful tribes of the North West—the Sioux and the Chippewas. On Wednesday morning last, about sunrise, a war party of Sioux from the villages of Little Crow and Red Wing, surprised a small encampment of Chippewas on Apple river, Wisconsin, and killed and scalped fourteen of them, without loss or injury to the attacking party. They also took one boy prisoner. Few men were with the party of Chippewas—it being mostly composed of women and children, engaged in making sugar. The fourteen killed comprised three men, three nearly grown boys, six females, women and children and two male children. The attack was upon ground heretofore ceded by the Sioux to the government, but upon which, by treaty stipulation, they still have the privilege of hunting. The place is twenty or twenty-five miles northeast of Stillwater.

   On Thursday the Sioux warriors appeared in the streets of Stillwater, and went through the scalp dance in celebration of their victory, forming a circle around the Chippewa boy, their prisoner, and occasionally striking him in the face with their reeking trophies. The boy, we understand, has already been adopted into one of the families at Little Crow village.

   This aggression of the Sioux will doubtless lead to retaliation on the part of the Chippewas; and we may expect to hear of more bloodshed, unless the civil and military authorities succeed in putting a stop to it. This can scarcely be expected with the present meagre force on our frontier. The murder of the Chippewa on Crow river by the Sioux, a few weeks ago, (who was the son of the chief White Fisher) had caused much revengeful feeling to break out among that tribe, previous to the occurrence we now relate.

   It is proper to remark, that the better disposed men among the Sioux entirely disapprove of this renewal of their old feud against the Chippewas. The leader of the party in this tragedy is a graceless scamp, who last fall scalped his own wife. He was arrested for the act and confined in the prison at Fort Snelling for several weeks. Having signed the temperance pledge, and promised a reform for the future, he was finally released. It is said the main reason that induced him to lead his comrades to slay the defenseless Chippewas, was to wipe out the disgrace of his former cruelty to his own family, and the punishment which followed it.

   Measures will be taken by Gov. Ramsey to bring the offenders connected with this outrage to justice. The Chippewa boy will be sent back to his people as soon as he can be reclaimed from the Sioux.

 

THE TRIBUNE HAS A FOLLOWING.

   WASHINGTON, May 12.—Mr. Douglass' bill for the admission of California will be taken up to-morrow, with the consent of Mr. Clay, before the compromise scheme is touched. Mr. Clay is expected to make a great speech.

   The Southern address, urging the support of the sectional paper to be conducted by Ellwood Fisher upon the South, was issued from the press last evening. It is a strong appeal to their sectional prejudices.

   Mr. Webster arrived this morning. His present position is in favor of separating California from the other bills, and putting her through alone. He is in favor of Mason's fugitive slave bill, with amendments. He is in favor of territorial governments without the Proviso, and therefore not in favor of President Taylor's plan. He has devoted great attention to the public land question, and will make an elaborate speech upon it when a suitable opportunity offers. He will stand by the report of the committee of 13.

   Mr. Clay is greatly encouraged at the increasing prospects of carrying the compromise.