Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1861-12-19


to Lincon's Vizier We given to understand that
the perusa of was without visible effect upon the
crafty Secretary The twitchngs OF the muscles and
his agtated betrayed not perhaps any compunc
tien but OF personal insecurity at the hanoS Vi
the ayeuging Nemesis This letter of Mrs. Greenhow |
the most graphic sketch yet given to the world OF
the cruel aud dasardly tyranny which the Yankee TO-
vernment has established at Washington. The incar- |
ceration and torture of helpless women and the oura
ges heaped upon them as detailed in this letter, Will
shock manly natures. and stamp the Lincoln dynasty
everywhere with undying tiffany The letter tells It's
own tale and may be relied on true copy OF the
original, in the hands of VIM. FL. Seward
WAsHfNGToN, Nov. 18th, 1861, 1913 l6rh Street.
To the Hon. VIM. II. SetCard, Secretary Of State:
SIR For nearly three months have been confined
close prisoner shut out from air and exercise, and de-
MED all communication with family and friends.
Patience is said ta be great virtue" and have
practised it, to my utmost capacity OF endurance
am told sir, that upon your ipe drt, the fate OF
citizens depends, ard that the signmanua OF the mhlS
of Louis the Fourteenth and Fifteen not more
potential in their day, than that of the Secretary OF
State 10 1861.
therefore most respectfully submit that on Friday,
August 23d, without other show OF author-
IT, Was arrested by the Detective Police and my house
taken in charge by them that all my private letters
and papers OF lite tine, were read and examined ny
them that every law OF decency violated In the
my house and person. aud the surveillance over
We ad III history, that the poor Maria Antoiuette
had paper from her bosom by lawess hands, and
that even change Of linen had to be effected III sight
of her brutal captors. 1t is my sad experience to re-
cord revolving Outrages than that for during
the first days Of my Imprisonment, whatever necessity
forced seek my chamber detective stood sentl-
ne at tie open door. And thus for period OF seven
days, I, with my little child placed absolutely at
the mercy of men without character responsibility
that during the first evening" portion of these
became brutay druUk, aud boosted IN my hearing OF
the nice time they expected to have with the female
prisoners and that rude violence used towards
colored servant girl during that evening" the extent OF
which | have been able to learn. For any show OF
decorum afterwards practsed towards me, was IN
debted to the detective called Capt. Dennis.
in the careful analysis of my papers deny the exis-
tenee OF line had perfect right to have writ
ten or to have received. Freedom of speech and of
opinion is the birihrigh of Americans guaranteed to
US by Charter of Liberty, the Constitution of the
United States have exercised my prerogatlve, and
have openly avowed my sntments During the pollti-
cal struggle, opposed your Republican party with
every instinct OF sefpres9rvation. believed your sue
cess virtual notification of the Constitution, and that
it would entail upon the direu consequences which
have ensued. These sentiments have doubtless been
found recorded among my papers, and hold them as
rather proud record Of my sagaclty.
must be permitted to quote from letter of yours,
il regard to Russell of the London Times which you
conclude with these admirable words: d" Individual er
rors OF opinion may be tolerated, so long good sense
is left to combat them" By way of illustrating theory
cutive Mansion in sight of the Capitol where the proud
statesmen of land have sung their E8ans to the
blessings of our free institutions Comment is idle
Freedom of speech freedom of thought every right per
tanning the citizen has been suspended by what,
suppose, the President calls military meceSS1ty."
blow las been struck by this total disregard of all civil
rights against the present system OF Government, far
greater in its effects than the of the Southern
States. Our people have been Ight to contemn the
supremacy CT the law, to which all have hitherto bowed
and to look to the military power for protection against
its DEGREES military spirit has been developed,
which will only be subordinate a Military Dictator
ship. Read history, and you will find, that the
which bring about revolution rarely predominant at
its Close and no people have returned to the point
from which they started. Even should the Southern
States be subdued and forced back into the Union
(which | regard impossible. with full knowledge OF
their res0urces different form of Government will be
found needul to meet the developments OF national
character There is class Of society, branch of
industry which this change has not reached and the
dutl, podding methodical habits of the poor
be resumed.
You haveie'd me, sir to mans accountability, and
therefore claim the right to speak subjects usually
considered beyond woman's ken, and which you may
class "errors OF opinion" | offer no excuse for this
long DEPRESSION, three months Imprisonment, with
out formula OF law, gives me authority for occupying
even the precious moments of Secretary Of State.
My object is to call Your attention to the fact: that
during this long imprisonment am yet ignorant OF
the causes of my arrest that my house has been seized
and converted 10 o prison by the Government that
the valuable furniture it naned has been abused and
destroyed; that during period of my Imprisonment
have suffered greatly for want of proper and sufficient
food Also, have to complain that, more recently a
woman OF bad character, recognized as having been
seen the of Chicago as SUCH by several of the
guard, calling herself Mrs Onderdonk placed here
in my house, IN a room ad Joining mine.
10 making this exposition. have no object Of appeal
to your sympathes If the justice of my COM laint,
and decent regard for the worlds opinion do not
you, should but waste time to claim your attention
on any other score.
1 may, however, recall to your mind that but a little
while since you were quite much prescribed by public
sentiment here for the opinions and principles you held
as l am now tor mine.
| could easily have escaped arrest having had timely
warning thought it impossible that your statesman
ship ght present such proclamation of weakness to
the world, the fragment of a great Govern
ment turning its against the breasts of woman and
children.
You have the power, sir and may still further abuse
it. You may PROSTATE the physical strength by con-
hnement in close rooms and insufficient food-you may
subject me to harsher ruder treatment than have al
ready received but you cannot imprson the SOUL Every
cause worthy of success has had its martyrs. The
words OF the heroine Corday applicable here: Ce
lie crane qua fat Ia honte, ct non pas Pechdfdm" My
saferngs will afford significant lesson to the women
of the South that condition is no bulwark against
the surgng pillows of the " irrepressibIe conflict"
The aron heel Of pocer" may keep down. but it can
not crush out the spirit of resistance in people armed
for the defence of their rights and tell you now sir
that you are standing crater whose smothereG
hres IN moment may burst forth.
Itisyour boast that thirtythree brisng fertilization
now surrounded Washington. The fertilization of Paris
did not protect Louis Philippe when bis hour had come
In conclusion respectfully ask your attention tt
t this my protest and have the honor to be, &C.,
(Signed) Rose 0. N. GREENHow.
COPPER Works IN THE SoUTH-We learn that par
ties are now engaged in establishing large copper foun
dry and rolling mill at Cleveland, Tennessee By Feb