Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1864-12-24

condemnation of an outraged and suffering
people, when the impending clouds shall
mature into storm and darkness.
Our plain duty, follow. citizens, both as
party and patriots, is to maintain our
noble organization in all its power and ac
ti9ity. 1t now comprises upwards Of two
hundred and seventy-six thousand freemen
tho bone, sinew aud brains Of the Com
mouweath' Every hope of an ultimate
reunion Of the States, and of restoring
the Government aud laws to their original
purity aud vigor, lies in the progress and
ultimate triumph of the Democracy. We
must still continue to act as the sentinels
of freedom, and viDdlcate our time honor.
ed principles before the people, Instead
OF disbandiug our claims and associations,
let US increase their number aud inspire
their action. Hold, at least, monthly
meetings Gather if possible, and organ.
lie a Democratic association in every
school district, and boldly canvass on all
proper occasions, the measures ef our cor
rupt and inbecilo rulers Expose the Sc
cret leagues and bandittilke gatherings Of
opponebts; and hold up to merlted scorn
those who, in midnight assemblies, and un.
der kinlrcd darkness consprc to rob and
ruin our country, and at tue same time to
degrade our paople by plotting ali iaLion
with the negro race. Let US, as a party,
march steadily on our accustomed paths,
employing neither stealth nor security ;
they are unworthy Of rreccom, who are
afraid to defend it i'll open day,
Allow me, in tLis correction, 10 add
word, al %, in behalf of the Democratic
press Of Pennsylvania. Always but too
Ioorly rewarded, Low, when aeally all
public patronage is III the hands Of the IA
natics, aud the expenses oi printing great
~ iucr.a.cd, it becomes tie manifest duty
of every faithful Democrat to suppori and
strengthen his l)ca paper, and to discrim.
iua'e in his patronage, il compelled to dc
so at all, ia favor of tue Dem 1crato pres
OF oUr own state. There is a culpabl,
clr.ies.ucss ~ Tbs respect, in many Of ou
, public men,whIch is very proper subjcc
Q. rrpreheu, a. wei 80 " IeM 'mbr ,uct
10 those who suiT.r from it,
Uadgr ordinary c;,cu instances, fellow
c,jzous, would deem the present duty .
! my place fully discharged in this hast!
referepce 10 The late elections, aul the Sc
qurnt suggestions which. have veuturet
upon, Aud 10 what | further uudortak
!, at this time, it is possible l MAJ te charg
ed with t;ayeliug somewhat cut of th
sphere Of my appontmoot aud with en-
, taring upon q Geld CT inquiry that ia be
yoad its usual limits, But as my purpo.
r i. manly and upight, and, | may ad
patriotic--l / cl may safely rely in thcs
times, that the spirit of liberty will secar
NJ. me at loas; yoar Indulgence.
% Ou, or about the 1t day OF Scp;embe
- last, forty -four substantial and reputab!
q citizens of Columbia and Imz'rnc ,ur
ties, in tb!' State, were seiz d by mill ar
n authority and hurried with indecent haste
# at tue bayouet's point, into the dep pth-s
.e distant and d,used military fortress,
If place Of confinement One Of them in
letter to bis relatives, 10 simple words th
10 must touch every honest heart, thus de
o. criLes their imp risonmen
in 'Our treatment was ilhuman. Wht
N frat taken aud lucarcerated in this cell n
Of stool or bench to rest our weary lin
- on not a cup, or knife, or fork, or plate
l. aud these few indispensable articles we
purchased at exorbant prices, attendt
~ with vexaciou7 delay. iorty-four Of Us
Of one cell, without even separate place
attend to the calls of nature, ii is no VOL
der that one of cur number was soon la
n in his last resting place, and many othe
o, pro,trated by disease"
nd Four ftbeir number have recently be
er brought to trial before a military comm
In sion, aud three of them sentenced 10 hea
fines and imprisonment, upon charg
We clearly coguizable IN the Civil Courts
C. the State aud of the Uuised States. w
At the question Of the guilt or innocence
", these men, (and believe them truly
as accent of any deliberate infrlcIiou of Law
N | have in this place, nothing 10 do 1t
a the startling fact that forty'iour men,
II. good repute in their respective neighbc
a hoods, some of whom had held places
Ter high public trust and honor, should
his seized by soldiery in the heart Of Il
ost peaceful and loyal State, dragged off tc
ter uoisome military dungeon, and there kt
ial for months, without being confronted
in an accuscr one Of them in the mean I'll
The dying, as is believed, from suffering thu
cir another becoming blind from his com6u