The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1863-06-11
IOWA, JUNE II, 1868.
Orpheus Z. Kerr on Arbitrary Arrests.

Orpheus Z. Kerr on Arbitrary Arrests.
EDITOR T. T.: On Thursday, NY
boy, the report that friend of the well
known Southern Confederacy had been
arrested and court martialed, in Ohio,
for simply advising the intelligent mass
es to set fire to few Union hotels and
20 hunting after Americans eagles by
the light thereof-this report, say,
excited amongst the loyal but seditious
patriots of storied Accomac an indigna.
tion that was anything hut speechless.
Shades cf our Revolutionary sires! was it
possible that a citizen of the Republic
could no longer speak pieces without be-
ing arrested for speaking peace? Ashes
of the great! could it indeed be true that,
even where there were no police, mans 3
personal liberty was no longer cafe! The
people Of Accomac, my boy, were alarm
ed for their own liberties, aud at once
held public meeting, at which hap
pened to be present.
As all the citizens who were worth
$500 each sent notes to say that they had
imperative engagements to prepare for
the approaching conscription, and could
not come, the meeting was composed en-
tircly of the other citizens, many Of whom
engaged in single combat on their way
thitber, for the purpose of making the
distance seem shorter. Punctually at 7
o'clock p. m. gentleman Of much muscle
touched off small field piece with such
admirable precision as to break all the
windows for two blocks around, and tncn
dexterously discharged a two pound sky
rocket into the third story bedroom of
venerable maiden lady living across the
road. The demonstration was received
with joyful acclamation by the populace,
nearly twelve of whom had already ar
rived; and victim of Fedora! oppression,
with very large stomach, mounted the
platform erected for the speakers, and
said that he would commence proceed.
iugs on this occasion by reading short
portion of Washington's Farewell Ad.
dress, from the volume of Bancroft which
he held in his hand. [Great applause.
The honorable gentleman then proceed:
ed to read something, but was interrupt
cd by a reporter, who remarked that the
speaker must be mistaken about that be-
ing Wsshington's address, as he had
certainly read it in the Bible. The hon
orable then turned his book over SO that
he could read the title, aud said that he
had, indeed, made slight mistake about
the volume. Ho would defer wedding
the address for the present, and begged
leave to introduce Mr. John Smith, the
Hon. Ferdinand de Percy having failed
to be present.
Mr.. Smith said it was the proudest
moment of his life, and he felt it to be an
honor to be there They had met togeth.
er to denouncc and spit upon au Infamous
Administration, under whose tyrannical
sway no man was allowed to say one word
against it. A fellow citizen had been
arrested in Ohio upon the miserable
charge of having advocated peace, when
he was really disturbing the peace all he
could. How long were such outrages to
be endured? He advised his hearers to
strictly honor the laws; but he we would
also have them 90 home, organize into
regiments, purchase artillery, procure
iron .clads, and destroy every man who
dared to speak in favor of an Administra.
ton under which the boldest man dared
not express his sentiments. He would
have them do all this pcaceably, but he
would have them do it. [Great cnthu.
siasm, and cries of "keep off my corns,
durn yeti
As Chesterfield Mortimer, the Acco-
mac patriot, was not able to be present
on this occasion, Mr.. Jones was intro
duced, and made few sensible remarks.
He said that he had always been law
abiding mat, and would always advocate
the strictest observance of the laws. The
wretched Lincoln, he trusted, would be
assassinated at an early day by some
great. souled man.
At this moment, my boy, the speaker
suddenly stopped short, stared at white
object that had just appeared fluttering
! down the street; aud then, dashing from
the platform, tore furiously in the direc.
ton of said object, which appeared to be
moving, followed spontaneously, and with
frantic speed by his speakers and
the entlre MeetlDg L was aStonlsne0;
I was overwhelmed, for such sudden
breaking up and precipitate flight of a
great Indignation meeting was never wit
messed before. Quickly mounting tho
vacant rostrum, drew my field glass
from my pocket, and proceeded to scan
tho wonderful white object which had
produced such an electrical effect. 1t
was moving on as l fixed my glass upon
it, and | found it to be new banner,
borne by fat young man in a white
apron, and bearing the inscription:
- BROOkSES
| New BAR Room,
| JUST OPEN.
FREE LUNCH Now READY.
This it was, my boy, that had broken
up one of the most significant meetings