Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1865-01-14
The Chicago Prisoners-.A Sketch OF
their Prison. Bound with ChaiMs
and Balls--Inhu u m m Treatment.
CINCINNATI, Dece IN Der 29th.


America, the United States, sympa,hizes
with all political offenders. If they es-
cape from the dungeons Of European des.
potism, they are cordially welcomed if
they have been condemned to the block or
the pains>of Imprisonment, and evade the
jailors Of Europe, an ovation awaits them
when they land on the soil made free by
the founders and soldiers of our revolution.
But, bear in mind, the political offenders
Of America, BEFORE TRIAL, are punished
with a rigor unparalleled in the history Of
Russia or English barbarity.
A few months ago, several of your fell
low citizens were arrested for something
that the Major General commanding the
Northern Department knows not of. Up
to the present no charges have been pre-
fered against them, but they are coutiued
in a prison and manacled with ball and
chain, and compelled to lie on the boards
of room which affords little warmth in
this iucement season.
The spirit of our laws, and the customs
and usages of our forefathers, look upon
all men, charged with offences against the
State or individual, as innocent till found
guilty by the tribunals which condemn the
guilty and exor crate the innocent. The
super" loyal press may object to the old
fashioned notions surrounding our laws,
but it Is dangerous thug to initiate a
system Of punishment that is unknown 10
the most tyranncai government.
The Chicago prisoners may be guilty !;
they may be innocent Ii they are guilty
they will be punished, suppose, after
their trial; if they are innocent, they ara
suffering now worse than the greatest cul'
prit that ever traversed the SHOWS Of ST.
IBERIA, the swamps of Cayenne or the acres
of Van Dieman's Land.
In building on West Third street,
known in the days Of peace and tranquil
ity as the St. Aloysius Orphan Asylum,
they are confined IA the Queen City Of
the West 1t is a substantial brick edi
fee, surrounded by al iron railing. 1t is
Two stories high. From the second story
center window the aas Of the free hangs
over the entrance. A sentinel walks to
and fro on the sidewalk, in front of it
If you are DESTROYS of seeing any of the
| prisoners you must obtain the necessary
permit FROM Gen. Hooker, the soldier who
fought in the clouds. A short walk from
the Headquarters of the Northern De-
partment will bring you to the CT dercnt
home of the orphan. You accos. the SEN
tinel, aud inform him Of your business. In
loud voice he calls for "Sergeant Of the
Guard, Post No. L." The sergean, opens
the front door, comes cut, opens the front
gate, and takes your permit. lie goes in
to the commanding officer, Capt. Mahan,
or his lieutenant, who orders your adris-
sion. The iron gate is opened again, aud
you enter " Mclean Barracks the mili-
tary prison of this district. AS you cross
the threshold you look along the passage
which leads to the back yard. A couple
Of soldiers Gre lounging about bu, you
have not much time 10 take notes Of the
surroundings, as II door on your right i'm
mediately opens, and you are in the pres
encc of the officer who has charge of the
males and females of our district, who are
waiting for their trial for something that
they have or have no. done. You salnle
the officer, who calls you by name, ard
politely invites you to take seat He
tells an orderly to bring down Brown Or
Jones' In due time the doors opens and
heavy foot moves along the passage. A
moment more aud citizen Of Chicago
enters carrying a long chain at the end Of
,caich Is a sol.d iron ball. weighing about
SIXTY POUNDS The chain is fastened
above the ankle to q circle Of thick iron
that would incommode an elephant A
spring lock Of solid iron, about the size of
a clenched hank, is attached TO the iron
circle, aud the chain is about two yards
long, and as thick as the arm Of the edi.
Tor Of The Post When the prisoner wi shes
| L ohoir Z
the ball over his shoulder, leaving, how.
ever, enough of the chain for him to walk.
It may not be in accordance with the
superior notions of ''loyal,y,' as enter
tained by nun Der Of your fellow citizens,
; to visit untried, unconvicted men; but
think am loyal and am sure have given
unquestionable proof Of IL when there
was more danger than in Chicago saloon
or in the comfortable headquarters OF
Camp Douglas. #
As citizen, protes. against the bar.
barous and inhuman treatment which Gen.
Hooker inaicts upon men who are, 30 far
as the law yet knows, his equal in integ'
rity, honor aud usefulness. They are pre-.
sumed to be innocent until found guilty
they should be kept in custody until tried,
but not huddled together in 4 room with.
ont bedding, and furnished with the
warmth Of a single blanket. Ii General
Hooker cant guard them without loading
them with chains and balls, and depriving
them Of beds, he ought to make applica-
ton TO the government for their deporta-
ton TO some state prison where murderers,
burglars and thieves are kept in custody,
after being found gully, for years without
the refined compAnionship Of ball and
chain. ny. >3. ''"
AS soldier Of The Union I protest
against such cowardly and heart!ess con-
duct-conduct unknown in America--con.
duct which il done, in my opinion, to
bring Mr.. Lincoln and his cabinet into
1 disrepute-conducs which is illegal, un.
merciful and unjust. <@+ @'7' S'. - II
! Try them And punish them. if ru;ley: