The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 3, March, 1862Various
History
The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 3, March, 1862
Various
Literature, Modern -- 19th century -- Periodicals; United States -- Politics and government -- 19th century -- Periodicals
Dr. R. states that early last summer the citizens of Southern
Missouri began gathering into companies of armed men opposed to
the general government, and that it was a fear that the general
government would not protect their lives and property which
induced great numbers of really Union men to take sides with the
rebels. They saw their country thronging with secession soldiers;
were told it was the will of the State government that they enlist
for the protection of the State: if they did not do this
voluntarily, they would be drafted; and all drafted ones would in
camp take a subordinate position, have to perform the cooking and
washing, in short, all the drudgery for those who volunteered.
This falsehood drove hundreds of the ignorant Missourians into the
rebel ranks. Captain LOWE, afterwards Col. LOWE, who was killed at
the battle of Fredericktown, was the recruiting officer in Ripley
and its adjoining counties. He arrested Dr. R. on the 4th of July,
on a charge of expressing sentiments 'dangerous to the welfare of
the community.' Dr. R. was tried by a court-martial, in presence
of the three hundred soldiers then assembled. Witnesses against
the Doctor were produced, but he was not allowed time to summon
witnesses in his behalf, nor to procure counsel. One novel
circumstance in the trial was occasioned by the absence of any
justice of the peace to administer the usual oath to the
witnesses. None were procurable, from the fact that all had
resigned, refusing to act officially under a government they had
repudiated. In this dilemma the prisoner came to their relief.
'Gentlemen, I am a justice of the peace, as most of you already
know, and, as I have not yet resigned, I will swear in the
witnesses for you.' 'Wall, I reckon he kin act as justice afore
he's convicted,' suggested one of the crowd. So the Doctor
administered the oath in the usual solemn manner. This
self-possession and fearlessness seemed to have an effect on his
judges, for, after the testimony, he was permitted to
cross-question the witnesses and plead his own cause. He was able
to neutralize some of the charges against him. The jury, after an
absence of fifteen minutes, returned verdict that 'as there was
nothing proved against the prisoner which would make him dangerous
to the community, he was permitted to be discharged. But,' added
the foreman, 'I am instructed by the committee to say they believe
Dr. R. to be a Black Republican, and to tell him that if he wants
to utter Black Republican sentiments, he has got to go somewhere
else to do it.' It was well known the Doctor had voted for
DOUGLAS. But here followed an animated conversation between the
prisoner and LOWE'S men as to what constituted Black
Republicanism; the result of which was, as the Doctor turned to
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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