Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1865-03-29
Are we Free =

Mr.. MEEK, Of the BoIlefonte UatimDn,
lately victim Of the present Reign OF
Terror, in giving his experience of "Five
days Service in Lincolns Bisties, asks
the above question, and discourses ai
follows
There are many OF our readers who
imagine Lsey are living in fee country,
under the hes. government ever devised
by man - many who have an idea that
no people are blessed with the same
amount Of liberty they enjoy, and many,
very many, that think the republic estgb-
iIshed by patriotic fathers stIll exists, OF
clins It's bosom as a resting place for the
oppressed Of all nations. Little do these
individuals recc Of the dangers that sur
round them. Little do they know Of the
dsSpoiism that is crushing out the life OF
those who wete once as free, aud are now
as guiltlcss as they themselves. Little do
they know Of the pest houses, Basliles
and military prisons that have sprung up
in every part OF the land under the au-
spices OF AboliHoDism.
If they would know tho truth, if they
would learn the depth of the malignant
hate Of New England Puri,ausm towmds
those that oppose the ianat cal and mad
policy OF its administration il they would
see our country rs 1t exists, and learn
the extent TO which tyranny and despot-
ifm is carried by those who are clothed
with little brief authority let them
visit the Bastles and prisons that disgrace
the nor,h--the pest houses of malignant
Abolilionsm, filed to oyctAowing with
pale, haggard, suffering victims, who
have been arrested and Imprisoned--not
because of any offence committed, but
simply to crafty the hate and envy Of the
miserable pack Of spies and inlormers,
whose guilty and cowardly faces are to be
seen in all quarters. Lei them look into
these places and sec men of honor, men
that'hayo held high places in society,
honest, upright, intelligent m en-, who
have committed no wrong, violated no law,
guilty Of no act that would, under any cir.
cumstances, even in despotic Austria,
loom them to what they now sutier-dy-
ing by inches, eaten up with vermin and
filth that they cannot avoid, and then let
them say if this is free" America, if this
is the Iebublic of our fathers.
Go, visit these pest houses under the
very shadow of the Capitol of our Com
monwealth, within hearing of the ESeou-
tive chamber of our own State-reelling
with noisome filth and vermin, infected
with disease of the most loathsome char
acter, Overlooking with stencil of the most
horrid kind. See the scores OF beirgq
that are crowded into their small compass
Learn as we have learned that they are
victimS-not criminals and then tell us
if you may not yet be u victim of the
same power that has laid its hand upon
them Answer US. where is your securi-
ity? If the excrement that has been raS.
ed from the scum of society and turned
into spies, detectives, and iuiormers can
thus cause you neighbors 10 suffer, can
thus rob them Of their rights, can they
not do the same thing with you Are
you safe, or is any citizen safe Have
you any security that these miserable
hounds will not cause you to be dragged
! from home, and family and friends, and
] without hearing, accusation or trial, be
immured for months or years IN these
noisome, sickening holes? Hundreds as
innocent ard as patriotic as you, have
been what is TO save you Answer
!. yo ursef that question, and thcn answer
US if these things we're permitted under 9
Democratic Administration