Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1865-06-23
NATURALIZATION 10 REBEL cIRCLEs.


and who was kept for twenty months in
rebel prisons, from which he finally es-
capped, has written book, which will
soon be published, called "The Field,
the Dungeon, and the Escape" The
work is destined to have wide circula-
tiOn, and will have a powerful effect on
both sides of the Atlantic. We have
and copy Chapter Ill, as a specimen Of
interest which will attach to the work:
will be correspondent to command,
Aud do my spiriting gently-TEMPEsr.
The good fortune which in Memphis
enabled me to learn so directly tie plans
and aims of the secession leaders, did
not desert me in New Orleans. For sew
eral years | had been personally acquaint-
ed with the editor of the leading daily
journal-an accomplished writer, and an
original secessionist. Uncertain whether
he knew positively my political views,
and fearing to arouse suspicion by SEEM
ing to avoid him, l called on him the day
after reaching the city.
He received me kindly, never surmis-
ing my errand; invited me into the State
convention, of which he was a member
asked me to frequent his editorial rooms;
and introduced me at the Louisiana
Democratic Club, which had now ripen-
ed into a secession club. Among promi-
nent rebels belonging to it were John
Slidell and JudahP. Benjamin of jew
ish decent, whom Senator Wade of Ohio
characterized so aptly as IAN Israelite
with Egyptian principles.
Admission to that club was a final
voucher for political soundness. The
plans of the conspirators could hardly
have been discussed with more freedom
in the parlor of Jefferson Davis. Anoth
er friend introduced me at the Merchant
Reading where were the same sen
timents and the same frankness. The
newspaper office was a standing secessiOp
caucus.
These associations gave me rare faeili-
ties for studying the aims and animus of
the leading Revolutionists. L was not
compelled to ask questions, so constantly
was information poured into my ears. l
used no further deceit than to acquiesce
quietly in the opinions everywhere heard.
While | talk New Mexico and the Rocky
Mountains, my companions talked seces-
sion; and told me more, every day of its
secret workings, than as a mere stranger
I could have learned in month. SOci-
ally, they are genial and agreeable. Their
hatred of New England, which they seem
to consider "the cruel cause of our woes,
was very intense. They were also wont
to denounee The Tribune, and sometimes
its unknown Southern correspondents,
with peculiar bitterness. At first their
maledictions fell with startling and un
pleasant force upon my ears, though al
ways concurred. But In time learned
to hear them not only with serenity, but
with certain quiet enjoyment Of the lu
dicrousness Of their situation.
[ had not single acquaintance In the
city. whom | knew to be Union man, or
to whom I could talk without reserve
! This was very iFksOme-at times almost
unbearable How longed to open my
| heart to somebody Recently l had left
the North, and strongly / was anchored
| in my own convictions, the pressure on
every hand was SO great, all intelligence
came so distorted through rebel mediums,
that at times | was nearly swept from my
moorings | could fully understand how
many strong Union men had at last been
drawn into the almost irresistible tide
| It was an inexpregsible relief to read the
northern newspapers at the Democratic
! Club. There, even The Tribune was on
| file. The club was so far above suspi-
cion that it might have patronized with
/ impuny the organ of William Lloyd Gar
risOn or Frederick Douglas.
The vituperation which the Southern
| journals heaped upon Abraham Lincoln
was something marvellous. The speeches
! of the newly elected President on his way
| to Washington, were somewhat rugged
and uncouth not equal to the reputation
! he won in the great senatorial canvass
with Douglas, where debate and opposi-
/ tion developed his curious powers and
stimulated his unrivalled logic. The rebel
papers drew daily contrasts between the
two Presidents, propouncing Mr.. Davis
gentleman, scholar, statesman; and Mr..
Lincoln a vulgarian, buffoop, demagogue:
One of their fayorite epithets was idiot;
another, "baboOn ;" just as the Roman
satirists, fifteen hundred years ago, were
/ wont to ridicule the great Julian as an
ape and a hairy savage.
! The times have changed. While l
| write, some of the same journals, not yet
\ exting1jshed by the fortunes of war, de-
Dounce Jefferson Davis with equal coarse
/Aesy Aza IIIzawea9 ASaz elegant Hacll1-
atiug sentimentadist; and mourn that he
\ does not possess she rugged common
| sense and indomitable perseverance dis
\playea7 by Abraham AIhcOln.
While keeping up appearances OF
! the Mexican question, by frequent inQEf-
/ ries about the semi-monthly steamers
| Tor Vera Cruz, I devoted myself osten-
sfbIy to the curious features of the
city. Odd enough it sounded to hear
persons say, "let US go alp 10 the river;
but the phrase is accurate. New Orleans
is two feet lower than the Mississippi,
and protected against overflow by dixie
or IeVee Che city is quite narrow, and
| is drained into great swamp in the rear.
| In front, new deposits of soil are con
| stanNy and rapidly made. -Four Of the
leading business streets, nearest the le-
wee. traverse what few years ago, was the
two feet below the surface, one comes 70
! rgafap