The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-05
WHEN MARTIAL LAW CAME
Experience of Amateur Conspira tors in
Western Town in the Civil War.

Experience of Amateur Conspira tors in n
Western Town in the Civil War.
MARTIAL law has not yet been declared
In this country, and | reckon there will
be no occasion for it," said the man who
had had all sorts of experiences in the
civil war. Next to being shot at. there is
nothing that annoys an American more
than martial law. 1t was that which
caused me to go into the conspiracy to
smash the government.
"In the town where / lived in the West
during the civil war was a man who had
been my lawyer many years. He had won
his spurs in the Mexican war. He was a
colonel. For a long time we did not know
where he stood on the proposition to sepa-
rate the country. But as he was noted for
his reticence, we did not think it strange
and concluded that he was with us. His
office was on the shady side of the street.
and the first summer of the war found "A
row of tilted chairs. filled with whittlers
cussin' the government, in front of his
office. Occasionally we would spring a
constitutional point. and If we disagreed
we left IL to Colonel Bassett. who sat at a
window. After extracting the juice from "A
select article of natural leaf. he would
give his decision, to-wit: 1t depends and
when he got through we dropped the point
and returned to conspiring.
lone day a squad officered by a Dutch
DdTDtT VI lnt DldCt IndTCnfd SIX men
across the town to headquarters. which
was about two miles from the business
section. We did not sprinkle the streets of
hat town during the war. and when the
dry spell was on the dust was ankle deep.
l was one of the prisoners. We had been
taken from our business. We had been re-
moved from our homes. Our rights had
been outraged. We were kept in a condi-
ton of uncertainty until late in the day.
when we were told that we were held on
the charge of giving aid and comfort to
the enemies of the government. We de-
manded a lawyer and named Colonel Bas-
sett.
"'He is not likely to help you out. re-
piled the officer. He has just been sp-
pointed provost marshal
1--WE retired for consultation. We con-
cluded to continue our bluff and demanded
that we be taken before the provost mar
shall. This was conceded. and when we
were before our old-time friend and law
yer. who was still at work with his jaws.
he said:
81 don't see what I can do for you fell
lows. | am the witness against you. For
six months you have worn out my office
chairs. whitfield the rounds and arms.
and damned the government. and fire.
quently borrowed my chewing TOBACCO
But we demand our rights, said the
man whom we had chosen TO speak. We
demand to be released on habeas corpus.
that bulwark of -
Don't make fools of yourselves. gem
tlemen.' said Colonel Bassett. The writ
of habeas corpus has been suspended. and
we are now under martial law
But you can't suspend the writ OF
habeas corpus. said our speaker. without
invalidating the constitution
The colonel took a fresh cut Of his nat
ural leaf. and was silent while ne was get
ting IL to the proper angie. after which he
said. 1t depends And he said IT so nat
urally and in his old-time knowing way
that we gave in. Just how he got the con-
fidence of the government 10 secure his
appointment as provost marshal We never
knew. But he did practice martial law
in that country for a long time in a way
which will never be forgot."-New York
Sun.