The Placer herald., 1864-08-20
Release of Charles L. Weller.


weeks ago, upon the perjured testimony Of
some unknown villain, and thrown into Fort
Alcatraz BY order Of General Mcdowell, was
released on Thursday, upon giving bond in
the amount Of s25, 900. Whether the oath
of allegiance was exacted in addition the
telegraph does not inform US.
The extent Of Mr.. Weler's offense, so far
as made public is, that he made speech be,
fore democratic meeting, and exercised bis
right rs freeman to oppose and denounce
the policy of Lincon's Administrations
Some abolition spy reported him as endea,
voring to create instruction, and discourage
enlistments, and immaa lately he was seized
and imprisoned He has never been inform
ed of the precise nature of the charges
against him, confronted with his accusers, or
allowed to be visi, ed by counsel. His arrest,
detention, and dismissal have all been outside
of the civil law, in State that is in peace,
where martial law has never been proclaim
ed, and where no revolutionary disturbance
exists to interfere with the successful admin
istlalion of justice. But the military arm
that should be subordinate to, and The sup
port Of civil authority, steps in and usurps
supreme authority, arrests and discharges
citizens at will, and the Governor and all the
administrators of State authority submit
without even protest
After an arbitrary and vexatous detention,
the prison doors of Mr.. Weller are opened
upon his giving a bond for $25 900. A bond
for what? To seal his mouth, and prevent
the expression of his sentiments toward an
Administration, that is daily and hourly
breaking down those Constitutional barriers
that alone give us republican freedom free
religion, free speech and a free press.
bond that he vii! paddock his lips. and re,
press the protest of his heart against the
wicked and dangerous usurpa,ons Of the par
ty in power! That be will be silent while all
the guarantees of a written Constitution are
itary powerl
The time was when American citizens
could criiiciSe, oppose and condemn the acts
of Government, as they deemed best, and no
denial was made of their right so to do; but
that was before negro phIanthropists and
small potatoe politicians were permitted to
assume the rens Of Government But since
statesmen are no longer intrusted with MAI
tiona affairs, and bungers have taken their
place. we are drifting rapidly beyond the
control of constitution and laws, and enter
ing the whirl that leads to despotism, anarchy
and ruin.
To escape these dire results, the country
must 90 back to the teachings of the trainers
ofthe Republic. Instead of lightly regarding
the guarantees of the Constitution, and ex,
cusing their violation under the plea of mill
held sacred as the teachings of Holy Writ.
And to accomplish this We must have Presi'
dents and rulers that love country above
party, and an ambition to honestly serve the
first without regard to the second.
FIRE-INoEYDIARIsM.-On Tuesday morn
ing last, about one o'clock, the residence Of
Mr. j. G. Ball, on Dry Creek, in the south
ern portion of the county, was totally con-
sumed by fire, together with most of his fur
uture, portion Of his library, and five
tons of flour The loss was about 1900,
and no insurance.
There is no doubt that the fire was the
work of some malicious scoundrel, as it com
menced on a shed roof, twenty feet distant
from any stove in the house, and from po
to the main building. Mr.. Ball awoke soon
after the fire started-and succeeded in ex
tinguishing the burning canvass inside the
house; but not having a ladder convenient
ives unable to ascend to the roof of the build
ing until it was too late. lie believes he
could have checked the flames bad he been
able to get upon the roof.
The tracks Of the incendary, approaching
and leaving the house, were plainly discern
able after daylight, in the adjacent creek
bottom. 1t is to be hoped the criminal will
not long escape discovery.
The Cost OF THE CAkKuuFF TRIALS
Placer County has paid out in the trial of
Carkhutf, the SUN of 81 ,so7 90.