The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1872-08-08

versal feelings among the members.
leaders and privates, was that it was
useless to hold Presidential cleo.
ton. Lincoln had the power and
would certainly elect himself; and
there is no hope but in force. The
belief was entertained and freely
expressed that by bold, vigorous
and concentrated movement the
three great Northwestern States OF
Illinois, Indiana and Ohio could be
seized and held. This being done
the States of Kentucky and Missouri
could be easily lifted from their pros
trate condition and placed on their
feet; and this in sixty days would
end the war.
While everything was moving
smoothly to supposed successful
contamination, the first interruption
in the calculation was the postpone
ment of the meeting of the Demo
cratic Convention from the 4th of
July to the goth of August; but the
preparations still went on, and in one
of the States the Goth of July was
fixed as the day for the movement.
But, before the day arrived, gener-
al council from the order from the
different States was called, and it
was thought that the movement on
the Goth of July would be premature,
and the 10th Of August was fixed for
a general uprising. This postpone
ment was insisted upon on the
ground that it was necessary to have
a series Of public meetings to prepare
the public mind, and appointments
for public peace meetings were made,
one at Peoria, one at Springfield, and
one at Chicago. On the 10th the
first one was held at Peoria, and, to
make it a success, I agreed that so
much money as was necessary would
be furnished by me. 1t was held,
and was a decided success. The
vast multitudes who attended
seemed, to be swayed by one leading
idea-peace. The friends were en-
couraged and strengthened, and
seemed anxious for the day when
they would do something to hasten
the great goal of peace.
HORACE GREELEY AND PEACE.
About this time that correspond
ence between our friend and Horace
Greeley made its appearance. Lin
coins manifesto shocked the coun-
try. The belief prevailed over the
North that the South would agree to
reconstruction and the politicians,
emphatically the leading ones, con-
ceIved the idea that on such an issue
Lincoln could be beaten at the bal
lot-box. At all events, they argued,
the trial of the ballot box should be
made before the resort to arms was
made, always a dernier resort. The
Springfield meeting came off, but il
was apparent that the fire exhibited at
Peoria had already diminished. The
whole tone of the speakers was that
the public must rely on the ballot-box
for redress ofgrievances. The nerves
of the leaders of the order began to
relax. About this time large LOT
of arms were purchased and sent to
indianapolis, which was discovered,
and some of the leaders charged
with the design to arm the members
of the order for reasonable purpo.
ses. Treachery showed itself al
Louisville. Judge Bullet and DR..
Kalfus were arrested and sent to
Memphis. The day Oh which the
great movement was to be made be.
came known to Mcdonald, candidate
for Governor of Indiana, and, be-
lieving it would mar his prospects,
for election unless prevented, he
threatened to expose all the parties
engaged unless it was abandoned
Thus the day passed by, and nothing
was done. The Chicago Convention
came. The crowd was immense.
The feeling was unanimous for peace.
A general impression prevailed that
reconstruction could be had, and
that it was necessary to so far pan,
der to the military feeling as to take
Gen. Mcclellan to insure a certain
success.
THE TROUBLES OF TRAITORS.
The nomination followed as it
was, by divers disclosures and ar.
rests of persons who were promi.
nent members, totally demoralized
the "Sons of Liberty" The feeling
with the masses is as strong as ever.
They are true and brave, and l be-
lieve are willing and ready, but they
have no leaders. The vigilance of
the administration, its large detect
i've force, the large bounty paid for
treacherY, and the respectable men
who have yielded to the temptation,
added to the large military force
stationed in these States, make Or
ganization and preparation almost an
impossibility. A large sum of mon
ey has been expended in fostering
and furthering those operations, and
now seems to have been so little
profit, but, in reviewing the past, I
do not see how it could have been
avoided, nor has it been spent alto
gether in vain. The apprehensions
of the enemy have caused him to
bring back and keep from the
front at least 10000 men to watch
and browbeat the people at HON e.
In this view ofthe subject the same
amount of money has effected so
much in no quarter since the com.
mencement of the war.
In July last Capt. Charles III. Cole
of Gen. Forests command, made his
escape from prison. He represented
to me that he had been appointed a
lieutenant in our navy. / sent him
round the lakes with instructions to
60 as lower deck passenger, to ia.
miliarize himself, with all the chan.
nels and different approaches to the
several harbors, the strength of each
place, the repositories of coal, and
especially to learn all he could about
the war steamer Michigan, and de,
wise some plan for her capture and
destruction. This duty he performed
very satisfactorily.
THE PLOT TO CAPTURE THE MICHIGAN
He was then instructed to return
and put himself in communication
with the officers of the Michigan, and
feeling his way, to endeavor to pur
chase the boat from its officers. Fol
time he thought he would succeed
in this, if he could give guarantees
of payment of the sums stipulated,
but by degrees the question was
dropped. He asked permission to
organize force to board and take
her. This was given, and Acting