Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-16


RIcHAoSp, ISp.. March 10. 1868.
EprroR SENTINEL: There has been considcra
bic excitement IN our little city, for couple of
day.. growing out Of the seizure. by military
authority, Of a lot Of pistols, Twenty four IN
number | believed belonging 10 Mr. Thomas
Benton a hardware merchant OF this place.
On Tuesday afternoon Captain aud squad
Of soldiers arrived here from Indianapolis The
business OF these soldiers turned out 10 be, or
prolessealy was. W take out Of the hands Of per-
sons keeping for sale pistols other fire arms.
where there were suspicious that they might be
sold to "disloyal persons The meaning Of this,
a the conduct of the Captain and the soldiers
disclosed, was Ia seize and carry away any arms
kept for sale BY Democrats. and leave undis-
tusbed such articles In the hands Of Republi
cans
Mr. Benton, dealer in hardware. and Mr. Dick
insOn, je.eler, we're IN CINCINNATI on Tuesday
purchasing articles in their line OF business and
among other articles each OF them had purchased
pistols. During their absence, il appears. some
person or persons, probably acting - the agents
or spies Of the secret Abolition organization here.
autographed to Gov. Morton Col. Darlington
that those gentlemen were in Cincinnati buying
large quantities of pistols to be sold TO 'dIsoyal
persons. In response TO this dispatch the said
Captain and squad OF soldiers were sent here by
Col. Darlington, with his authority to sc re PTS
pected Of selling such articles to 'disloyal per
sons" Messrs. Benton and Dickinson arrived
home between 10 aud ii o'clock on Tuesday
night The Captain waited on each Of them and
informed them of his mission lie left them
satisfied that no harm would come OF leaving the
matter rest ill the next morning. During the
forenoon of the next day the Cnptan with two
soldiers. called at the store OF Nj Benton aud
inquired 1T the pistols he had purchased the
day before had arrived Mr. B replied aflirma-
lively, and showed them % him. there being two
dozen OF them. The Captain produced his au
thOrity from Col Darlington, and requested pos
session Of the pistols under said order. Mr. Il
protested that there was 40 reason for taking his
pistols, as there could not toe the slightest evi
dence produced that they were designed for, 0r
would be sold to, "disoyal persons" as they had
been purchased for 10 particular persons. and
we're only intended 90 be sold in the Legitimate
course OF his trade. The Captain. insisting on
taking the pistols, Mr. Benton delivered tbemIup
10 him. the Captain telling Mr. b. that,he in
tended taking the pistols in Mr. D.ckinson's
store also. The Captain, however, after getting
Mr.. Bentons pistols. eft without taking or dis
turbing Mr. DIckinson's
The authorities NJ indianapolis have been most
egreei)usly imposed upon by some designing
scoundrel. or scoundrels here. they have de
termned upon prosecuting, hunting down Demo
Gratis for their political opinions. No mau eau
truthfuIly urge Il disloyal word or action agains,
Mr.. Benton He Is one OF our oldest and most
highly respected citzens--an old member of the
Baptist church, IN which society he has occupied
leading and prominent position for many years.
lie has been office seeking politician
but always "A firm and steadiast Democrat never
however, making any noise about politics, or ut
temptin.. intrnde his views upon others. but
has quietly, unobtrusvely and successfully pur-
sued his business avocatons. He has been a
close business man, but has been liberal in his
contributions for every purpose connected with
the WARRIOR the relief of soldiers families, the
sick and wounded soldiers, sanitary supplies
&c, and has contributed on almost every occa-
sion, when solicited 10 do so. One of bis sons
sacrificed his life in fighting the battles of his
country IN this war He volunteered in the 18th
Indiana regiment, and fatally wounded in
the last battles Bull Run. last fall.
The idea that Mr.. B. is disloyal or would ca
ANYTHING disloyal. the taking of his property
by military authority would imply, is too absurd
to talk about great wrong has been done Dir
Benton in this matter. and justice requires that
the authorities should speedily investigate the
matter. The authorities may have been imposed
upon. il may be that this is the inauguration
of programme to disarm Democrats to prevent
them from being able to defend themselvcs iron
any assaults that may be made upon them |
the authorities have been misled they should rec
il is designed to take all arms away from Demo
crat.. on the pretense that they disloval the
sooner they know il the better. IL looks singu
lar in tins affair here that two dozen pistols should
be taken from Mr.. Benton, Democrat. ant
nearly twice as many left in the hands OF Mr
Dickinson, Republican. to be sold to whoever
he may decide as loyal.
Many false. foolish and deylish stories. de
signed and calculated To produce evaporation il
the public mind and the worst-of feeling, have
been put in circulation in regard u the seizure o.
Mr. BentOn's pistols. Ii has been told and no
doubt finds many believers. that the pistols came
marked ''axeS." aud addressed TO Demo
crat in Abingdon township. and more of the mt
sort OF stories. not word of which is trre or In,
any foundation ia truth Mr.. Benton has, fol
several years. kept pistols for sale-has kept then
open IN public view. in his store-never atlempte,
10 make any cOucealmeBt. regarding them a,
legitimately part of his business as knives, shov
els, spades. &c. The box containing the tw,
dozen pistols. which he bought IN the reguln
course OF trade. came by express. directedto him
with 40 other marks on il except his address an,
the card OF the house lac bought them OF
A CITIZEN.