New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1862-12-12
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 18th: 1862.
POLITICAL PRISONERS

our readers that Hon. Edson B. Olds, Of
Ohio. and w. II. Winder, Of Philaael-
phia. have each been inmates of one Of
Lincoln's bastiles for over halfa year.
Yet such is the fact. They, like the
balance of similar cases, were arrested
upon the order of the War Department,
and to this day are not Informed of the
crime, if any, with which charged ; of
the names of their accusers, or of the
witnesses, if any, to be used by the
government against them. The adj
ministration it seems is cognizant of the
fact that the affidavits, if any were
made, are perjuries for it has long
since announced itself ready to give
them certificates of an 'honorable dis
charge" if they would but take an oath
to never commence civil or criminal pro-
ceedings against any officer Of the gov
eminent for false imprisonment, or for
any injury they may have sustained in
reputation, person, or property. This
oath they decline to take, but on the
contrary demand a trial by the admin
istration upon any charge against them,
which has thus far been denied,
1t must strike American freemen
with peculiar force that Abraham Lin
coin should, after trampling the consti-
tuition beneath his feet, robbing the Ju-
dietary of its ermine, and in q manner
unknown to the laws and dangerous to
public liberty appointing Judge Ad-
vocates" and military Commissions
for the trial of his political enemies,
fear to give them the forms even of G
trial before such court (?) as this !!
In the name of Heaven, what more in
famous crime than this is it possible for
jeff. Davis to commit against the con-
stitution or the liberties of the citizen {!
Why should men be drafted to fight the
South, when the government Ct the
North is engaged daily in the commits
sion Of such high handed and despotic
acts. It was Patrick Henry who pro.
claimed this truth
Resistance to tyrants is obedience to Cod
1t is unnecessary for as to proclaim
Abraham Lincoln tyrant and despot.
History itself gives him his true char
scter. LET HIM NOT SHRINK ITS
GLARlNa lNFAMY.
1t seems that even now the knowl-
edge Of his many crimes hangs upon
him like nightmare. So fearful is
he of assassination from some of the
many his despo,ism has deprived Of
their liberties for time, that the White
House and all its approaches are con-
stant!y guarded by Federal bayonets.-
In his passage from his residence to any
part of the city an armed body guard of
U. S Dragons is considered necessary
to lis personal safety. No usurper
ever sat more uncasily upon his throne
than does Lincoln occupy the Executive
chair. Damocles beneath the suspend
cd sword Of Dyonisius was moro happy
than is the Executive standing aghast
before the judgment of his frowning
masters, the people. lie knows that no
judgment that the people could visit
upon him, even to hanging and quar-.
terlug is uudeservel. Hence his unsasi-
ness.
The time has come when all the inn
pulses Of patriotic duty summon the
people to resist with their lives, if need
be, the continued exercise Of this des-
potic power by the President.
Ofthe many thousands arrested, arbi.
traily so far during this administration,
not one has been convicted Of any crime;
and there is not one of the number but
that is purer in devotion to the constitu-
ton and the Union than the President
Or any of the mercenary horde hanging
to mis- skirts for greed and gain. Does
any man suppose for an instant, that if
DR.. Olds or Gen. Winder had committed
treason the administration woull shun
a trial ? But they have not ; and Old
Abe has sense enough to keep from an
investigation of the CHARGES arainst