The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-04-04

iouf cOmmitteo tound sCme 800 peT-
sons comtinod In the three prisons, mostly
from Tennessee, kentucky, Missouri and
Mississippi, and tboir quarters we're in all
respects as good, and somo little better
than those Of tho soldiers outside, and your
committee wcro insured that the raiions
distributed we're tho same in quantity and
quality ss those given our own mon. No
complaint was made, as to any of these
things. but thero was . general expression
Of satisfaction thcrowith.
Your committee found seventy -four ne
grocs in the prisons, mostly takcn ut Fort
Donelson. or these, from what they could
learn. few were FREQ whom taken, having
been hired by officers rs cooks and servants
The remainder. porhaps fifty in number,
were slaves IN attendance upon their mas
iers, and while so employed we're taken
along with tboir masters. Mono of them
wero In arms. nll having been retained for
menial service only. Since their capturo
they have travelled with their masters. at
tending and serving them as before. On
their arrival at Columbus, they took cbar1o
Of and carried tho baggage OF their former
masters from the depot to Camp Chase. the
men having no servants being compelled to
carry tboir own, as our soldiers DO on sim.
liar occasions Arrived at Camp Chase
the privatos were as far rs possible sep
sratod from the officers, and, for obvious
reasons, placed 10 different prisons; but the
negroes vero placed in the same prisons
with officers who wore their formor mas.
tiers. Why unless that they may continue
TO attend and serve their f0rmor masters.-
And they have ever since done so--ceokipr
--washing-waiting upon and serving tbom
just as before thoir capture. tho relation cf
master and slave being as vigo, ously main
tanned by the master. and as fully recognized
by the negroes and tho other inmates of the
prison, as ever IL was in Tennessee.
But Why we're these slaves takcu at all
They were not, and had not been, in arms
against tho Government; their presence at
Fort DonoisOn was not evon voluntary
Why are thoy retained in prison They
havo done no wrong; they deserve no punish.
mont. ls it to furnish Rebel officers with
servants and was Il for this they were
transported at tho expense of the Govern.
mont, and are now subsisted Ut hor coat
10 our Constitutional provision thus made
nul'ity, and Slavery practically established
10 Ohio aud this under the protection and
ut the expense of tho Fedsral Government
As 20 Rebel officers released on parole,
your committee could not get much def
mite Information, other than that, With few
exceptions, these paroles wore granted by
order Of Con. Halleck. That tho clemency
so shown was mistaken the following facts
as to tho conduct Of these officers while in
Columbus. will show. They came, wearing
their sido arms, stopped NJ tho principal
hotels, registering their nsmes Colonel"
"Najor," or Captain" with tho siRnifican,
lettors &c. 8. A." added; appearing from
day TO day In Rebel uniforms, (some Of these
gaudy. all Of them no,iceable,) in the Offices
aud parlors, and ut the public tables of
their hotels, in tho streets and drives of the
city, frequensing tho Theatre and other
places of public amusement, aud visiting
the Senate aud House Chamber, where.
with marked consideration, they have been
invited TO privileged seats with tho bar ai
oil these places. aud on oil these occasions,
giving expression to sentiments of continued
adherence to tho Rebel cause, and of bitter
hostility to the Government and people Of
the United States.
While prominent officers are thus enjoy.
ing the freedom of tho city and the luxuriss
of hotel life. hundreds of poor and ignorant
privatos, some of them impressed and oil
OF them deceived into tho Rebel service
penitent for the wrongs thcy have done
ready. willing and anxious to take the oath
Of allegiance, arc kept confined in the
prisons at Camp Chase. This Is q matter
Of complaint among the prisoners them.
selves. They argued to the committee,
AMI with much force, Il must DO admitted,
that, OF the two, they were the less guilty
and tho less dangerous, and, IL the sympathy
o: the people and tho clsmcncy of the Ex.
ccutive should be exortod at all, il ought to
be in their behalf
Your committee lie satisfied that many OF
these privates and officers of lower grade
could DO satoly, and with advantage to the
cause. released. But they are equally sat.
ished that too much clemency has already
been shown to the higher officers, both 10
and out OF the prison. They and thoir like
are tho mon who havo instigagod this most
wicked Rebellion. aud inaugurated this in.
human war. and who are responsible before
God for ali tho misory, suffering and blood |
shed which has followed. Is it a wonder
that the loyal people of Ohio, both in the
field and at homo, knowing all these things.
and remembering how our prisoners were
confined in lOathsome slave pens and tobac- |
CO sheds, and tho bodies of our dead barba |
rously desecrated by the Rebels, should foel
outraged by this misguided sympaiby-this
mistakod clemency towards the perpetrators
Of oil those foul wrongs?
But who 10 TO blame Yoar committee
Is satisfied that Col. Moody has done his
whole duty in tho premises. They are
equally satisfied that tho Governor has en-
deavored to discharge his dutios honorabiy,
faithfully and impartially. His position
has boon one Of great dolcacy. His control
over the Camp and prisoners being by cour.
tesy Ofthe Fedora! authorities, and not by any
right as Governor Of Ohio. He has prob
ably done all he we'll could 10 the premises.
The responsibility then rests with the Fed.
eral authorities. and our only remedy is by
protest 20 tho President. Your committee
therefore recommend tho adoption of tho
Preamble aud Resolutions herewith 70.
ported. LEWIS b. GUNCKEL,
T. ii. WHETSTONE,
J. p. ROBSON.
WHEREAS, Tho feelings of the loyal peo-
pie Of Ohio have been outraged by the sp-
pearance in the streets Of their Capital Of
fcers In Rebel prisoners In Camp Chase
Prison have been permitted to retain aud
use their former slaves as servants, thus
practically nullifying our State Constitution
and lcgalizing Slavery IN Ohio. therefore.
Resoiued by Lhe Gearrai fssembiy of Ae
State Of Ohio. That In tho name Of the
people OF Ohio, who have freely given their
treasure aud their blood to sustain the Gov.
ernment and the Union. We do most sol.