Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1863-01-08

and ordered the officer to leave his room.
For this he was arrested and imprisoned
in Fort MclIenry and Fort Lafayette.
Another of my companions in iinpris-
opment was a Mr. Childs, Of Alabama
lie had left his homo in Alabama in May,
1850, in consequence Of tho declining
health Of his wife. He had married in
Zanesville, Ohio, and in chat place his
wife died. After her death he attempted
to return to his home in Alabama. He
had expected to have obtained pass, but
being detained by Sickness in his own
person. before he was well enough to
travel, an order was issued by our Gov
ernmcnt that no more passes would be
given to any one going South. Yet in
Deccmbor 1861, he attcmpto! to cross
into Mis-, ouri, in order o reach his home
in alabama. He was arrested at Cairo,
in Illinois, his horse and other property
taken from him. He was confined in
irons by order of Gen. Grant. From
Cairo he was taken to Camp Butler, at
Springfield and for thirty.six hours of
the coolest weather Of last winter was
kept in room without fire, or sufficient
clothing, until nearly frozen. From
Springfield he was taken to Fort Latay
ette, and has been for nearly year prs
oner, charged with no oiienSe excepting
to return to his home in Alabama with
out pass. He was unconditionaIly dis
charged at the same time with myself
Not one of all these men have over been
informed Of any charges against them;
not one Of them has ever been put on any
/ trial. Mcssrs Carmichael and Pow ell
were some six weeks since transferred to
/ Fort Delaware, and, as | learn through
the news papers, have, wi,hin a few days,
been uncondi,ionally discharged Mes.
srs Porter, Benaann, and Cox were re
/ leased upon '.'taking the OATH" which, ]
~il guarantee, they will hold sacred, f.,
notwithstanding Lincoln's and Tod's cX-
ample to the contrary.
Three several times during thc last three
weeks | was offered my liberty upon con.
Iditiou that ! would take the oath .
which | As often refused, not because
.m or intend to be disloyal, but because
| would not submit to be discharged in
ANY manner bY which my encmie, could,
even by implication, infer that | acl,nowl
edged myself righrlully charged with an!
oncnsc against the Government | re
peat, ms refusal to receive my di,charge
upon such conditions was not on accoust
Of any dislo al feelings or sentiments.
love my country--her Constitu' ion and hel
laws; and as | expect to answer to AL
mighty God in that day when the secrets o
all hearts shall be revealed, ! now say,
the presence Of all these friends, that ifby
sacrificing myself, my beloved Govern
ment could be restored to the condition
it was in before tho Lincoln Alministra-
ton destroyed it, would lay myself upor
the altar OF sacrifice, ana give every drol
Of my hearts blood, and then think the
purchase not too dearly bought.
"Thc first object Of free people," say Daniel
Webster. "is the preservation of their liberty;
and liberty Is to be preserved by maintaining con
-titutonaI Restraints and just divisions OF polite.
= An republics, all governments Of law,
must impose numerous limitations and quafct-
tlJul Of Hulh)Iity, ana give many positive, and
many qualified rights. In other words, they must
be snbjcct to rule and regulation. This is the
very essence of free political institutions
''lhe spirit of liberty is indeed bold and fear
lcss sprit but it IL also sharp sighted spirit; it
Is cautious, eagacious indlscriminntion, Tar see
ing intelligence; it il jealous OF cncroachmc mt 4
jealous Of power, jealous Of man 1t demand
checks; it seeks for guards; it insists upon sccuT
tiles; it stretches itself behind strong detcuses,
aud lortiics itself with all possible care, against
the assaults Of ambition and passion. II does
not trust the amilbc weakness Of human nature
and therefore will not permit power to oycrs'cP