The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1867-11-07
To the sPrlsOners Of state .

FRIENDS Permit me to submit, for
your consideration, suggestions which
have come to my mind with singular
force during these passing days. / pro-
pose that (men) citizens of the United
States, who have suffered Imprisonment, or
banshment, at the behest of arbitrary
power since the accession of Abraham
Lincoln, shall meet in convention in the
city OF New York, on the 22d day of Feb
ruary next, 1868, at II o'clock, NJ That
each shall, on or before said day, furnish
statement of the facts aud circumstances
attending his arrest, place where, and
time when, by whom, and by whose order,
when confined, and how long, when re-
leased, age, nationality and occupation,
what charge or charges, if any, if tried
upon charges, before what tribunal, and
what was the result of the trial-name the
members of the tribunals: If banished,
when banshcd, how long, by whose or
der Women, of whom there are many
noble instances, are requested to hand
their statements to some nelr friend who
will faithfully transmit them. If any are
dead, or are out of the country. then some
friend knowing the facts should present
them. Editors whose journals were sup
pressed. excluded from the mails, or 9th
wise iUteriered with by the same power,
are in like manner requested to make
complete statements of facts and circum-
stances. 1t is not supposed that those
persons will deem themselves to be con-
templated in this regard who were myr-
midons or minions of ''the government"
but who chanced to incur its displeasure.
1t is especially desired to know who were
called to suffer through direct orders of
Mr. Lincoln. Mr. johnson, Mr.. Stanton,
by the sweet-toned insinuations Of that
''little bell,' bv the Provost Marshal. the
General in command, and the shoulder
straps" Of every like.
These facts are valuable material for the
faithful historian who shall cmblazon his
glowing pages with the story of the pro-
gress Of great nationalism to still high.
er greatness, and hence the exact truth
must be stated. But it is expected that
each statement will be accompanied by
such views as the victim may entertain in
regard to the action of "the government"
in his or her regard.
Friends You will ask wherefore these
suggestions The reasons are common to
all of US, and we will tell them now We
would speak, else we be deemed guilty of
the accusations recorded against US, but
whereof we are innocent. We owe it to
our fair names amongst good men to our
children to the memory of oar lives to
our country Who would stand amongst
his fellows accused of treason, and by 81
,ence accept the shame? This is our
country; we have not been false to her,
not even in thought. Her glory has been
our boast her honor our pride. She lies
PROSTATE and bleeding, while usurpation,
impelled by fanaticism and lust Of power,
seems to establish itself upon the ruins Of
a republic of exalted States. Subtitle and
cunning in its early essays, it played upon
the trembling hopes of an honest, con6ding
people now, through indulgence, it has be-
come defiant, and our liberties are in its
grasp. Opposed to this power. which ar
rogates to itself the dignity of the republic
of our fathers, and wields its terrible en-
ergies without the sanction of its venerated
Constitution, is party whose leaders, for
the most part, did strike hands with the
despotism which has trampled upon our
dearest rights yet, We will trust them,
while we invoke in their behalf the spirit
which inspired the resplendent deeds Of
other days.
Come, and let us reason together; let
no raview the mast and trv Our princinles
by the touchstone of experience. 1t may
be that we shall be heard, since the clam
or of deadly strife is hushed, when We
shall utter the words of truth and solemn
warming, and some welcome strain, un-
heard since long ago, may fall upon some
willing ears. CAIUs.
New York, Oct. l. 1867.
-New York Day Book.
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