Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1865-01-05
An American ItariIle.

NAshikefuN. Becemhcr y
To the Editor Of fle Ner Fork World
Here in Washington, ia sight of The Capi.
TO-, 10 sight Of both Houses, vhere justice aud
wisdom ia supposed 10 be administered, wheie
free speech u the Wniohvord Of those who
assemble there, stands The modern Bastile-
the Cd Carol Place prison Here men arc
brought for deeds they never committed only
10 he discharged after months OF suffering
and suspense with the consolinr (1j remark
that they the adminisirationl Rre very clad
70 hnd that their suspicions are incorrect
These poor fellows, worn out, heart tsick, utter
y broken dosn and ruined, are too glad 10
get oui upor any terms 20 they fold their
hands and fay nothing. Seine one Of the
many may indeed rouse into action by The in
justice shown 20 them, mag appeal for Justice,
and may perhaps get II, but these are few and
iaF between here, IN this modern hastile
are men confined who have been dragged from
their beds at night, or their places Of business
in the broad glare Of day-spirited away not
allowed 70 communicate with their friends
even, vho, distracted. search throughout the
land for them, ultimately TO fad (if they be
indeed fortunate enough 10 accomplish that
they are in this modern Basiile
Here men remain for weeks-aye, months
before the charges are brought TO them, II
they are fortunate enough to have any brought
against them; before they are permitted to
have an itl ling OF Why they ato incarcerated
here. To many Of those 10 close conhne-
meni, greasy beau soup in iin cup--soup
that the dogs in the street would turn their
n1ses up at-and flint biscuit, with black
dranRht called coffee, are served for the susie
nance Of life Here are brosghi officers Of
the United States Government, Who have seen
service, have been wounded, and suffered i'm
prisonment ior their country, az witnesses
against others No parole is allowed 10 them.
nothing Of the kind - permitted, these Off
GERS, innocent Of any crime, mast remain here
prisoners--as lelons, that is the word--unlil
such time as they are needed No bail for
lbem-no bail for the innocent; no mercy, no
distinction is shown to any whatever
The coun;erfeiter and the gentleman cit
down at the same table; the spy and the
rough and scuf Of humanity are cOngregated
together. Blasphemy pOlntes the air, feted
with tobacco smoke, vile smells aud uoisotne
breaths Men who come here in good health
soon lose it, Lunacy attacks some, dry
coughs, fevcrs, and hemorrbages, others -
Yet no notice is taken Of them. Yonr case
is made out and sworn 10 before Judge Turn
er You are told that it will be attended to,
and are dismissed from bus august presence
with q very vague and indefinite idea as to
when that will be. II you have no friends il
will never be nntil you leave the prison, broken
down in health and constitution might
write more. I might descant upon this pris.
on, with its rules and regulations but know
that space will not admit OF it in your col.
umns
Let me ask you, sir, as one who upholds
the constitution, 10 take measures to bring
this matter before the notice OF those men
who are brave enough and fearless enough to
expose the whole concern, and make the
proper authorities answer for those who arc
held here MS prisoners