Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1861-04-18
Gotal department,
BELLEFONTE, APR. 1S, 1861.
The War Excitement.


hostiIities had actually commenced and that
Fort Sumpter was surrendered reached us on
Sunday evening, and for time the excite
ment ran high; crowds were collected on
every corner and around the hotels, and
the great topic of conversation was war, war.
On Monday different telegraphic rumors
reached US, which served to fan the fame of
excitement During the day our streets were
crowded, with persons conversing on the all
obsorbing question. and at times the discus
s;cus ended in manner which showed an
other passion considerably raised. Some
few men whom we hesitate not to call trait
ors, advanced sentiments .disgraceful to their
country, and wherever such was the case
they met with the just indignation Of our
loyal citizens and when it was reported that
Democrat of our town, had expressed the
wish that every Northern man who went
South, would be killed, committee was ap-
pointed to wait upon the gentleman and in
quire into the truth of the rumor. He in
dignantly denied having made any such as
sertion. Another man who advanced South
ern sentiments was informed that the day
was near at hand when men who would ad
vance such sentiments would be hung as high
as haman, and, added his informant by -
I'll be one who will help to do it, Posters
were stuck up at different points calling a
meeting of the Fenciblss, to consider the
propriety of immediate preparation for war.
At seven O'Clock the roll of the drum an
nounced the arrival of the hour for the
meeting. In very short time after the
opening of the door, the Armory rooms were
filled to excess, and the meeting was called
to order by Capt. Mitchell, who stated the
object of the meeting and left the floor to any
one who might wish 70 speak. Lieut.. j A.
Rodgers moved that the services of the COM
pany be rendered to the Government. Jno.
Ii. Slower, objected to the motion as there
was no ompany to offer did not call twelve
men in uniform (about the usual number on
parade) company. he thought that the
company should re-oraanize, ell up the ranks
with men who were willing to answer to the
call of their country He was ready and
willing to go at any time. Edmund Blan.
chard made speech against thus voting
men into service. He thought every man
ought to consider the matter well before ia
king so important step. He thought there
were many men in the company whose eir-
cumstances would not permit of their going
men, who have families to provide for by.
the daily laber-men who were immersed
in business, &c. lie thought that they should
not act Oh the impulse of the moment, or on
the authority Of ielegraphic dispatches, but
wait for official authority. Maj. G. II. Hale,
thought the metien out of order for the rea'
son that the services Of the company had
been rendered and accepted months ago.
The meeting adorned to await official orders.
The next afternoon al TWO O'Clock the drums
were beaten on the Court House steps and
our citizsns hurried up to see what caused
the excitement Rumor said that the Fem
cibles had been ordered to march for the
ssat of war. The crowd made its way to
the Arbitration Room, where Maj Hale,
read the following despatch
HARRISBURG April 16, 1861.
Maj. G. H. HALE:
You will muster your men
and march them 10 this place at once-lose
no time. Arms and equipments furnished
by the State. By order of the Governor.
ELI SLIFER. Sec of the Com.
Maj. James Armor, veteran of the war
of 1872, then made a short, but very elo-
quent speech, which brought down the house,
tremendously. II. N. McAllister, ESQ.,, also
made few remarks. Maj. Hale then stated
that the armory would be open night and
day until the ranks were filed. In the
evening meeting was hald in the armory
and runners despatched to all parts OF the
county. for the purpose of raising men.
On Wednesday most enthusiastic meets
ing was held in the Court House, it convened
at o'clock, and continued until 5 o'clock
in the evening. Maj. Jas. Armor was cal
led to the chair, with several Vice Presidents
whose names we have forgotten. Hon. Jas.
I. Hale stated the object Of the meeting to
be to raise men to defend the Government
and honor of the United States, and to raise
money to support the families of those who
enlisted. Mr.. Beaver was called to make
known facts concerning the requsition of the
Governor and the necessity for troops, which
he did by simply stating that he had been
10 Harrisburg and while there called upon
the Secretary Of the Commonwealth-th
Governor being absent-who informed him
that troops must be had, net next week nor
next mon th, but now He said that the
ranks of the Fencibles must be swelled to
100 men before the meeting adjourned
II. n MAllister made mos. enthusiastic
speech pledging himself that if the requisite
number of men was not raised before the
meeting closed, that they should be raised
hafnra nnidnioht Hon Samual Linn mada