New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-09-09
New Uses Of the Alton Penitentinry.-O One
Thousand Rebel Prisoners still con.
fined here-Dr. Thomas M. Hope, a
citizen Of Alton, confined for Treason.

citizen Of Alter, confined for Treason.
From Our Special Correspondent
ALToy. IL, Aug 20, 1867
Since The victories Of Fort Henry and Fort Done-
son, tie Old Pententsry OF this place has been de-
voted to new uses IL had formerly accommodated
-bout 900 convcts ncarcerateG for various crimes
from petit larceny to murder in the second degree
Now it contains about the sane number Of Rebel
prisoners, captives of war and few OF that worse
class of Rebels who stay at home andinstgate others
by their evil influence, 10 take up arms against their
country.
Among this latter class there 10 one, a rabid
Secessiouist. who has long dwelt in this city, by
the name of DR.. Thomas Mordecai Hope. He war
arrested about fortnight ago in consequence Of an
outbreak OF he treasonahle sentiments, uttered on
tie occasion of en- Application to him to rent of
his buildings for come Government purpose. 3" No.
he would see the Government ID first, was his
plliiotc reply. Knowing well bow gladly be would
have accommodated JEFF. Davis, under similar err
Gun stances il had been in his power, and remem
boring how he had Toasted the Rebel officers who
were here in the Spriog parole before they were
taken 20 Columbus, Ohio, Gen. Iighlman and 9th
ers and how abusive he had brCn Of the Government
that ali THE while aiorCipg bin lie protection
tue military authorities decided to put hn unCer ar
rest, and suut him within the prison ga'cs. along
VIII NffotAtltr N+ir lNcJti iiirVhN'' '."
Missouri aud Tennessee.
At first lie took his imprisonment very coolly, and
ssid II the first time lie had enjoy cd the society
of gentemen-alluding 10 his new aSsociaies-ior "A
lot time. But lately he has obtained h temporary
release parole 10 attend TO some of has private
aiairs, reporting himself twice a week 10 the COM
maECing Ulcer OF the prison
This Dr.. Thomas Mor!ec.i Hope has been for
many wears a celebrated character IN this community,
always unpopular by reason OF lIs frequent ebul-
7 l... flt
difficulties, and his abuse of everybody and every
thing that did not square with BIZ lolons OF South
ERA chiyary, living by himself, without society, "a
man out Of sympathy with the institutions and PEG
pie among whom he resided, kept here by pecu-
mary interest In property Inherited by ms VIE,
ree ular Isbmae.i.e, Whose hand was against every
man, and every mans hand against bin.
DIR. Hope is q NAIVE of Virginia. aud claims 70
have been intimate friend of Henry a. Wise.
wLose rabld and eccentric WAYS would be very likely
10 TORN the basis of such friendship ia these re-
,pects the two men must have been much alike, and
II they really knew each other, they were I'M
Goultedly fast friends.
DR.. Hope is Il brother-ln-layy Of Gen. John Pope
~ hose sister he married, and las resided here for
- vears OF more. lie was here At the time o. tie
LOVcIOy not aud riDg,eader in that ARRAY. For
soa Ilule aierward be used to boast that he fired
tie shot winch killed LoveJoy, but at alter period,
when public opinion had changed no denied having
made suc a claim. But his instincts have ever re-
NAMED most intensely Pro-Ssvery, aud tie supe-
uuTity of the institutions and men Of the South las
been lis daily boast for many years.
Duung Blchanan's administration he was bis
cliff supporter IN this community in opposition TO
Mr.. Douglas and a Breckenridge elecior IN the last
Presidential election. lie did everything IN his
power 20 Assist in dividing the Democratic party,
but his influence war 80 small that he really accom-
uisued but little. There Wac any Office IL the
qf, Of tie PEOPLE Of Alton for which lie could have
received half dozen votes.
During one OF Mr. Douglass visits 10 this place in
1867, ID. Ho,e undertook to interrupt and question
hm IN one Of n- public speeches, but rec3iv,d such
severe rebuff that he was greatly iacensed AID
md -rtoOk in the evelIng to make speech himself,
dtBilg which he gas booted and ieIl1ed by the null
,itudo until he YVES Obliged to de-ist At another
tine he undertook TO bnl Of citizens on An
eleclou day, AID ATTEMPTED to commit an assault,
bu m.stuok hn man and received sound .hrhshins.
Ihesc are but lew OF the incidents in the he OF
nan who has for years persis,eu'ly made war GA
the beet tenliMen's and institutions Of the people OF
tie North, while lie was at the time deriving
his support from them. Daring the existing he
bellon he has been cautious than usual, through
tear Of the military aulhori.ee but las foa,led
Rebel officers, Oh parole, NJ III. house, has shown
contempt for the Union, and ~ af has, hy an act oi
AsgrBnt enmity, subjected himsei 70 the fate OF au
avowed traitor TO hIs country. His imi rirOtin
ha- given universal satsfac,on 10 The community ana
the general wish IL thai 1t should continue ti ne
thoroughly purgcd # hs tasOn or can be Sent be-
J ond the lines Of the Union. 0CILBEhr'