Smyrna times., 1861-05-23
CORRESP nee.
For the " Smyrna Times
Letter from the Eastern Shore.
HEAD OF SAssAFRAs, MD,
Nav. l7th, 1861. {

Letter from the Eastern Shore.
HEAp OF SAssAFRAs, MD,
May l7th, 1861.
Mr. Editor Our little village, after haV-
ing been in state of terineni Tor nine days. is
beginning 10 calm down, and people are able
TO talk, without ruting their te theirs up, OF
the war, ills causes and Consequences.
About eno-lhird Of the population OF our
State are Secessionsts, and the balance prefer
20 remain in the Union "a! a!her than link our des.
tiny to 9 new and uniried Government; aud
get, a stsdied misrepresentation OF the senlI- |
nsnts of our State is persisted in by Northern
presses, aud strong disposition manifested by |
the Administration Io place US under martial
law.
1t is said the constant dripping Of water will
wear away che hardest rock, aud if this course
of those ia authOthy be persisted in, change
must and will take place in the minds Of our
people. There is no question, that the feeling
an the minds of most Of cur loysl citizens now
Svho prefer TO remain with the North, even If
= peaceable separation were practicable. is
averse to the coercive policy of the President,
aud this war on our Southern brethren. of sub
]ugatiOn. We desire to let the Confederate
States go if they desire il; not TO recogHlze
secession bat reUoIutiOn-conhdent few short
years of seperate existence will give them a
surfeit of their peculiar independence, and see
them return like prodigul sons to the bosom OF
their parents and Their first love.
Our citizens are daily disturbed with the
FumOrs and threats 10 occupy our towns and
villages with the Northern military, with the
design 10 crush out free speech. 1t the Gov
ernWenl is straId for men TO speak their minds
we bad better dissolve at once and seek the
protection of some of the despots of Europe -
What has become of our lnfla'ed boasts to the
Prince OF Wales aud TO eli the world Of our
free press and tree speech; of freedom trsn
standing armies and OF immense police forces
to keep the people loyal: Alas our country
it 10 too ssrously feared, an any event, we
shall no longer enjoy our past liberties anC
freedom in all things.
military company has been formed in Ga
lena, IN this county, composed, | am told, o
loyal citizeDs, who proceeded TO organize, arm
and equip as Home Guards, the same IS art
forming 10 all our town and villages, for pro
lection against local mara sudeEs and evil dis
posed persons who are likely to take advantage
of the disturbed state Of things, and yet, com
paBy of Government military, stationed at Elk
ton, started, the other day. to sie2e their arms
ally, not being able to obtain them from ,ht
Government. Hearing of the rumor of thei
seizure, they banded them over To Capt. John
son. a commissioned officer, for safety.
The arrest of Ross WInsne, Of Baltimore
creates prutound feeling and Indignation here
and should their policy be carrsd much fur
ther, the Administration will ha rdly strength
en- its hard in this State. am Union mar
and as loyal as any that throw up their hat
and sing down with traitors; ;" but | am utter
ly opposed to arresting citizens for expressing
their sentiments, and without being guilty Q
overt acts Of treason.
The rumOrs now are, we hs We "spieS" anon
us, and we are told OF an infamous letter y
the last Sunday Dispatch calling attention /
Head of Sassatras, among other places, wher
traitors "mOst do cougregate." There is ha rC
lya secesslonlst per Sc amongus; many are !
favor of State Rights, but ia thata crime now
R-days!
see by your valuable pa per you have o
gsnized Home Guard in Smyrna We, TOT
have rot been behind the times, nd two week
ago organized clever company here 10 prC
tect our neighorh0Od. Dr. w. Charles Pei
kIns was elected Captain, w. J. Griffith l:
Lieutenant, r s Griffith %, and J. Thoma
Bubb Sd; R. A. Frazier. Orderly Sergeat,
p. DAVIS I'd. s. w. B-yer, Jr.. Sd. We drl
regularly Wednesdays and Saturdays, bot ever
day we can get together.
The Governor has issued his procamato
for foIr regiments of volunteers; no doubt b,
what they will be filled up speedily. as man
think it their duty to maintain the Govetnmer
without regard to the person who sits in Il
Presidential chair.
Allow me to return thanks for the spiritC
manner you have replied to the aspersons
the Northern press against Delaware. tt
same state of affairs exists here, and your r
marks are as applicable to Maryland as Del
ware. JUSTICE