Sierra Times
by Robert F. Hawes Jr.

09/17/05

One of the most interesting, but curiously obscure, incidents in American history took place on May 25, 1861. It was on that day, at approximately 2:00 in the morning, that a Maryland man by the name of John Merryman was awakened by federal soldiers, taken from his home and imprisoned at Fort McHenry on the basis that he was involved with a group of armed, pro-secession advocates. Despite the nature of the accusation against him, no warrant was ever issued for Merryman. ... The arrest was carried out solely by military authorities for reasons having to do with 'public safety.' ... Enter the September 11, 2001 attacks on New York and the Pentagon. True to the Lincoln paradigm, our federal government reacted by immediately undertaking a series of fiat actions that have significantly undermined our constitutionally protected liberties, all in the name of security...

http://www.sierratimes.com/05/09/17/199_232_229_39_17181.htm


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp