Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1872-08-10

OVhbB uOnt, Tue DbHleS VI henIuCky ana
Missouri could easily be lifted from their
PROSTATE condition, and placed on their
feet, aud this in sixty days would end
the war. While everything was moving
ON smoothly TO supposed successful
cCusummaiiOn, the first interruption in
the calculation was the postponement of
the meeting of the Democratic Conven-
ton from the fourth of July to the goth
Of August; but preparations still went
Oh, aud in one Of the States the goth OF
July was fixed as the day for a move
ment. But before the day arrived, a
general Council of the Order from differ
ent States was called, and it was thought
the movement on the Goth Of July would
be too premature, aud the 10th of August
was fixed upon for general uprising.
This postponement was insisted upon
the ground that il was Necessary TO have
a series of public meetings TO prepare the
public mind, and appointments for pub
iic peace meetings were made-One at
Peoria, one at Springfield, aud one at
Chicago OH the 10th. The first one was
at Peoria, aud, TO make it a success,
agreed that 50 much money as was neces-
sary would be furnished by me- 1t was
held, aud was decided SUCCESS The
vast multitude who attended seemed TO
be swayed by but one leading idea -
peace. The friends were encouraged and
strengthcd. and seemed anxious for the
day when they would 90 something to
hasten them 10 the great goal of peace.
About this time that correspondence
between our friends aud Horace Greeley
made its appearance. IincOu's mani
testo shocked the country. The belief,
IN some way, prevailed over the North
that the South would agree to a recon-
struction, and the politicians, especially
the leading ones, conceived the idea that
OF such an issue Lincoln could be beaten
at the BALLOT box; at all erents, they
argued that trial of the ballot box
should be made before resort to force,
always derner resort. The Springfield
meeting came off, but il was apparent
that the fire exhibited at Peoria had
already diminished. The tone of the
speakers was that the people must rely
on the b .llut box for redress and griev-
ance; the nerves of the leaders OF the
order began to relax. About this time
a large lot Of arms were purchased and
sent TO indianapolis, which was discoy-
cred and some OF the leading men were
charged with the design to arm the MEM
bers OF the order for reasonable pur-
poses. Treachcry Swallowed itself at
Louisville. Judge Rullitt and DIR. kal-
fus were arrested and sent to Memphis.
The day on which the great movement
was to be made became known to Mr..
Mcdonald, candidate for Governor of
Indiana, and believing that it would mar
his prospects for election unless prevent
ed, he threatened to expose all the par
ties engaged unless the project was
abandoned. Thus sthe day passed by
and nothing wac done. The Chicago
Convention came, the crowd was i'm
mense,. the feeling was unanimous for
peace, general impression prevailed
that reconstruction could be had and
that it was necessary to so far pander to
the military feeling as to take Gen. Nc
Ciellan to secure q certain success. This
nomination, followed as it was, by divers
disclosures and arrests of persons, prom
inent members, totally demoralized the
'Sons OF Liber y" The feeling with
the masses is as strong as ever-they
are true, brave, and believe willing and
Ieady but they have no leaders. The
vigilance OF the Administration, its
large detective force, the large bounties
paid for treacherY and the respectable
men who have yielded to the temptation,
added to the large military force station
ed in those States, make organization
and preparation almost an impossibility.
A large sum of money has been expend-
ed III fostering and turthering tn Sc ope-
ratioms, and now it seems to have been
TO little profit. Bat in reviewing the
past | do not see it could haye been
avoided, nor has it been spent altogether
in vain. The apprehensions of the enc
my have caused him to bring back and
keep from the field in front, AZ least co.
900 to watch aud browbeat the people
at home. In this view of the subiect,
the same amount of money has effected
So much in no other quarter since the
commencement of the war. In July last,
Capt. Chas. Ii. Cole, of Gen. Fores,'s
command, made his escape from prison.
lie represented TO me that he had been
appointed lieutenant in our navy;
sent him around the lakes, with inslruc-
tions, to go as lower deck passenger,
to iamiliarlze himself with all the chan-
nels and different approaches to the sew.
eral harbors, the strength of each place
the depositaries of coal, and especially
to learn all that he could about the wal
steamer Michigan, and devise some plan
tor her capture or destruction. This du
ty he performed very satisfactorily. He
was then instructed TO return and put
himself in communication with the Off
GERS OF the Michigan, and, feeling his
way, TO endeavor TO purchase the boat
from its officers. For time he thought
he would succeed in this if he could
give the guarantees of payment of the
sums stipulated, but by degrees, the
question was dropped, and he asked per.
mission to organize a force, board aud
take her. This was given, aud Acting
Master John Y. Beall sent him t
aid in the organization and carrying out
the enterprise. Their plan was wei
conceived and held out the promise OF
success. 1t had been previously ascer
tanned from escaped prisoners from John.
sons Island that an organization existed
among the prisoners on the island, tor
he purpose of surprising the guard and
capturing the island. The presence OF
the steamer Michigan, which carried