The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1865-03-22

H.v Prisoners Of Var are DISCHARGED

Sells Presidential Favors-Fsfty Dol
lars Paid In Hand the Price--Letter
of Mr.. Emerson Ethersage of Tsnmes-
see--Ho,o the Fraud Fas Eeposed.
fFrom the Washington Constitutional Union
of Friday,1
| We call the attention Of our readers to
a communication from The II on Emersea
! Etheridge, of Tennessee, calling attention
to the new node Of obtaining the release
on parole of prisoners of war from con-
fnemens. The facts disclosed are Ger
%tainly of an astounding character, aud
well worthy of earnest consideration
There are thousands Of anxious parties
in the country to whom the subject is one
of the most absorbing interest, and they
cannot but feel the most intense indigna
ton upon learning that the levying of
black mail is carried on so openly beneath
the caves of the White House. The mat
ter should be at once examined into, and
this foul repreach instantly removed
The President owes it to himself and to
the country that this imposition upon his
benevolent credulity should be promptly
checked and severely punished, else
copperheads !" will be liable to think
There is collusien somewhere.
HOW PRISONERS OF WAR MAY BE DIS
CHARGED.
l During the present week young gen.
tleman from Gibson county, Tennessee,
came to this city, for the purpose, if pos
sible, of procuring the discharge of FIVE
prisoners of war at the military prisons
in the Northwest. He brought letters
70 bo Hon T, nd &c II aot,oL,,
invoking his assistance. This morning
Mr.. Anderson started him to the Presi-
dent with statement in the following
words and figures /:
PRISONERS OF WAR.
Benz. Bobbitt, Camp Morton.
S. D. Anderson, Camp Morton.
: A. v. Afford, Camp Morton.
w. L. Eastwood, Camp Deuglas.
Jas. F. Thomas, Camp Douglas.
: an not personally acquainted with
the above named persons, but they are
am personally acquainted) as proper
persons to be permitted to take the oath
and return home. From the recommen-
dations and information received, ask
the President to permit them to be re-
8 leased on taking the oath of December,
1863. ...
LU. ANDERSON.
i In the forenoon of to-day the young
, gentleman referred to, appeared at the
!, Presidents with this paper, and asked to
j be permitted to present it. He was in
formed by G. O'Leary, who is in charge
of the door of the Presidents office, that
he could not be permitted to enter. Sub
sequently, upon being informed of the
: . object of the call, he was taken aside and
told by O'Leary that if he would pay
him fifty dollars, he (O'Leary) would
take charge of the papers and procure
the Presidents order for the release Of
: the prisoners that otherwise he would
have to remain for many days without
any probability of having an interview
e with the President. He saw two other
: persons, on similar errand, pay none,
: to O'Leary, and saw the desired papers,
: few minutes afterward, given by O'Leary
5 to such persons. The young gentleman
s had but little money at the hotel moth.
/, ing like that amount with him. Ne lefi
$ the papers, however, with O'LeaYy. aad
It reported the facts above recited TO me.
! went with him Immediately to the
i. Presidents house, intending to play
Q simple and rustic part With some diff
S Guilty I succeeded in disarming him of al
: suspicion, and arranged with him to pay
G the Fifty dollars so soon as the President.
IS order for the discharge Of these prisoners
4 should be handed to the gentleman above
named. O'Leary promised to meet hin
at his room at the National Fl etel (tak Ing
IS the number) at precisely o'clock to-
S day, when he was to bring tbe order Of
n the President for the release of the pris
oners, and receive the amount stipulated
9 1 remained out of sight until the order
; for the discharge of the prisoners was de-
It livered and the money paid. just 8:
! O'Leary was bowling himself out inter.
ceptei him, forced him back into the
room, denounced him as a swindler, and
;, caused him to surrender the money fthir
g ty dollars,) that being the amoans which
a he had agreed to take finally, because O.
/. the assurance that nothing would be ad
6 yancsd for two of the prisoners, and the
: inability of the gentleman to pay more
. for the others.
~ The order of the President 70. tile re-
A lease of the prisoners is written on the
e paper which was signed by Mr.. Ander
: son, and is in the following words.
j Let these men take the oath OF Dc
c cember s, 1863, and be discharged.
s Feb. B, 1865. A. LINCOLN"
Just as ULeary vas taking his leave
he gave TO his supposed victim bis ad
/, dress, aud urged him to inform the rela
= tives and friends of prisoners of war
: that they could have them released fretz
confinement by applying to him aud pay
ing ten dollars in each case He gave hi,
= address, which have in his own hand
: writing &C. O'Leary. Rxeeu,iye Map
q sion, Washington, D. c."
> / make this matter public from motive.
: Of humanity. During the last year
Q have made many applications for the dis
T charge of prisoners of war upon the term,
: mentioned in the above order of the Pres
$ ident, but in no Instance have l beer sue
v cessful. I have often written to tb,
. friends and kindred of prisoners sbat