The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1865-02-01
An American Bastile.
WASHINGTON, December 25

u ggfu WASHINGTON, DecomDerI 20.
To The Editor cfMs Aes York World
Here in Washington, In sight Of the
Capitol, in sight Of both Houses, where
justice and wisdom is supposed to be ad-
ministered, where free speech ia the |
watcbword Of those who assemble there,
stands the modesE Basss--tb old Car.
rol Place prison. Here men are brought
lor deeds they never committed, only to
be discharged after months Of suffering
and suspense with the consoling (!) re-
mark that they 1.-THE ADMINISTRATOR are
glad to find that their suspicious are in
correct. These poor fellows, worn out,
heart sick, utterly broken down and ruin
ed, are too glad to get out upon any
terms SO they fold their hands aud say
nothing. Some one Of the many may
indeed rouse into action by the injustice
shown to them, may appeal for justice,
and may perhaps get it, but these are
few and lar between. Here, in this mod
ern bastis 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
to communicate with their friends even,
who, Distracted, search throughout the
laud for them, ultimately to find (if they
be indeed fortunate enough to accomplish
that they are in modern Bastile.
Here men remain for weeks-aya
, months--before the charges are brought
D to them, If they are fortunate enough tc
have any brought against them before
they are permitted to have an inkling o.
why they are incarcerated here. To man,
:, OF those in close confinement, greasy beaI
Q soup in tin cup-soup that the dogs il
the street would turn their noses up at
and flint. biscuit, with black draugh
: called coffee, are served for the sustcn
!. ance of life. Here are brought officers o
a the United States Government, who hav
seen service, have been wounded, an
u suffered Imprisonment for their country
1t as witnesses against others. No parol
q is allowed to them, nothing Of the kin
!, is permitted, these officers, innocent Q
. any crime, must remain here prisoners
y as felons, that is. the word--until sue
20 time as they arc neened. No bail fC
D. them--no bail for the innocent; no me
h cy, no distinction is shown to any wha
,o ever.
10 The counterfeiter and the gentlema
ST sit down at the same table the spy ar
as the rough and scuff of humanity are col
~ gregated together Blaspbemy pollut
n. the air, feted with tobacco smoke, vi
~ smells and noisoma breaths. Men wi
d. come here in good health soon lose it,
as Lunacy attacks some, dry coughs, fever
ID and hcmorrbages, others. Yet no mott
.. is taken of them. Your case is mat
10 out and sworn to before Judge Turne
as You ore told that it will be attended
n. and are dismissed from his august pre-
IA. ence with very vague and indefinite id
as to when that will be. If you have
GO friends it will never be until you lea
on the prison, broken down in health al
IN. constitution. l might write more.
es might descant upon this prison, with
~ rules and regulations but | know tn
'" space will not admit oft in your column
'as Let me ask you, sir, as one who u
We holds the Constitution, to take measuI
to bring this matter before the notice
those who are brave enough and f,arl'
enough 10 expose the whole concern, a
J. make the proper authorities answer
those who are held here as prisoners.