The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1863-07-22
CONVICT l.. DAMvILLAIN'S AD-
DRESS TO HIS "PAbS."
NIAGARA FALLS, CANApA wESr,
Iuiv Is 1SGg


Arrested and confined for three weeks in the
Wood county Jail as common thief; banishcd
thence to the Ohio Penitentary, and there held as
an enemy to society aud prisoner, fairly and honor
ably dealt with, and given leave TO depart u
comd-an act only possible by scaling walls and
running the risk Of being fired upon by armed sen
tinels under the flag of my own country, found
myself first freeman when on British soil. And
to-day, under the protection of the British flag, |
here to enjoy and in part to exercise the privi-
leges and rights which usurpers inSolently deny
me at home. The shallow contrivaucc Of the
weak despots of county courts and their advisers,
has been defeated; and |, who for years was son-
fined as a thief, having refused to steal from my
Confedcrates, under circumstances the most favor
able or even so much as to remain with them. pre-
ferring rather exile in foreign land, would now
like to return to my own State and government and
be permitted to pursue my former avocauor
undisturbed.
Six years ago, when Just going into baushmen'
because an audacious but most cowardly despotisn
caused it, | addressed you as my companions. To
day, and from the very place then selected by me
but after wearisomr and most perilous iourneyiugs
for hundreds of miles, through forests and byways
still in exile, though almost in sight Of my native
State again greet you as your associate. Crate
full certainly am, for the confidence in my nteg
rity and patriotism, implied by your unanimous
choice Of me as leader of an attempt to overthrow
the authorities and assasSiuatc the law. 1t was
not mispaccd-it shall never be abused.
ask NJ personal sympathy for personal wrong
No. it is only the cause Of constitutional lib
crty and private right cruelty outraged, whicl
gives significance to your choice Of me. 1t was
indeed an act of Justice to one who for devotion t,
the rights and liberties of our gang, had beer
marked for destruction at the hand of arbitrary
power. 1t was an example of courage worthy Of
the heroic ages of the world and it was spccta
Gle and rcbuKe to the usurpng tyrants who, having
scattered our gang would strike down every mem
Der of it, and establish law and order it its stead
You are the REsToRBRs AND DEFENDERS OF LIN
ERrY, and by that proud title history will SALUTE
you!
| congratulate you upon your choice of leaders
to keep you from the penitcntiary. Those who arC
to second me persons of ability and tried fdcl
ty to the constitution, union and liberty of ouI
band. Their desperate courage-a quality always
rare, and with us the most valuablc-is beyond
question. Each choice was emiuently fit to bC
made; but especially do rejoice that you have
chosen Mr.. Thug my Lieutenant. An accom-
plished rogue, profes sional burglar in foreign
country, eminent and distinguished as a traitor,
hail his acceptance as omen of the return of the
better days of lawlessucss.
indOrsc your noble sentiments. You present
the true issue, and commit yourselves to our grea
mssiou-to make sure first the liberty of all out
laws. 1t is vain TO ask our o-workers in Other
States to unite with us, until have crushed the
tyrannic power by which we are now oppressed
1t is base in you and reasonable to your posterity
to surrender your liberties to creatures whom as
sassination will easily destroy Shall not talented
thieves be free? Shall noble burglars and amabl,
assassns be arrested Shall peaceable assemblies
of our gang be further DISTRACTED iii OhoF Shal
a criminal any more be arrested at midnight
dragged from wife and child and home, to prison
then e to trial thence condemned and banshed Al
felon, for exercising his natural inclination t.
perpcrate rasoslity7 This is the issue and no
bly, have you met it. 1t is the whole question
upon the side, liberty-on the other, despotism
And now, finally, let me ask what is the pretex
for all the moustrous acts of arbitrary power fron
which you ha,e suffered, and which you have s.
nObly denounced? "Wctare Of society !" Blu
it, indeed, all these be demanded by the welfare o
society, then, believe me, your liberties are gone
and tyranny is perpetual. And if this is to ceas
only with the spRiugatiOn and submission of on
associates, then the infant Gr day will not live 4
see the end of it. While travelling hundreds o
miles, and sojourning for time with bands of ou
associates at widely different points, did not NEE
one renegade who was not resolved to perish rathe
than submit to the enforcement of the laws
Neither koUouer, did meet single renegade, 0hatere
his opinions his station, icho dia oecidre hi
readiness, WHEN ALL PUBLIC OFFICERS HAD BEE
DEPosED, AND THE LAWS DECLARED NULL AND voII
tc consider and discuss questions concerning The ,redr
of society! And who shall dodbt the issue Of tn
argument? | address you this, therefore, with m
opinions and convictions of our ultimate success
not only unchanged but confirmed and strengthened
And may the God of Heaven and earth so rul
the hearts Of our comrades everywhere, that, wit
the Constitution of our band maintained, its Unio
restored and Liberty made perpetual, a grande
and more prosperous destiny shall yet be ours tina
that which blessed the chivalrOus bands of outlaw
in the earlier ages of the Republic.
CNNNICT l.. DAMNILLAlN.