Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-01-06
8 NIes.ane fcom Maryland.

THOSE who have read the governors mes
sage have not failed TO give attention to what
he says of a communication from the legis-
lature of Mary land concerning the Baltimore
riot. This communication comes to the gov
ernor through their committee on the militia,
and inquiries in regard TO the families of the
Massachusetts soldiers killed in Baltimore on
the 10Th of April. The communication states
that the loyal people of Maryland fare anxious
to wipe out the foul blot OF the Baltimore riot,
as far as it can be wiped out, and as soon as
possible" The dead cannot be restored, but
their widows, orphans, and families may be
found, and can appropriation" will be made in
behalf of those who may be in dependent cir
cumstances.
Here is a manifestation OF great change in
the public sentiment OF Maryland. At the
time of that riot, secessionists controlled the
legislature, and they felt quite sure of forcing
that state into the whirlpool of treason. They
had complete sway in Baltimore, the police as
well as the mob being in their service. AT the
public meeting held in the evening after the
riot, not Union man was found 10 stand up
bravely against the secession current. Even
Gov. Hicks faltered, and it seemed as though
the rebel reign of terror would carry every
thing before it. Parties went out Immediately
from Baltimore and burned the bridges on the
two railroads connecting Baltimore with the
free states, and it was announced officially
that no more federal troops would be allowed
to pass through that state. 1t was a critical
moment, and it is not yet easy to explain
why a rebel force did not move forward and
attack Washington.
A great change has come over Maryland,
and this earnest inquiry after the widows and
orphans of those killed in the Baltimore riot is
one of the most remarkable signs of il. The
secessionists there have always been in the
minority, but they had organized a reign of
terror They had in their hands nearly all
the arms OF the state, and in their ranks were
most of the rowdy fighting men, and if
secession force had moved rapidly on Wash
ington, they would undoubtedly have been
successful. 1t was not long, however, before
the sagacily and energy OF General Butler
changed this condition Of affairs, by opening
a route to Washington by way OF Annapolis,
which saved both the capital and Maryland
Since that time secession treason has declined
there, and now Maryland is strongly and re.
liably devoted to the Union.
It would not be easy to compute what Ma
ryland has gained by remaining loyal Had
the secessionists prevailed, she would now be
more completely wasted and ruined than Vir-
ginia. From that terrible calamity she has
been preserved, and, meanwhile, she has
gained much in material prosperity by means
of the vast sums OF money expended there by
our troops, and in their behalf, at Baltimore,
Annapolis, and on the upper and lower Poto
mac. All thinking people in that stale must
feel that they have narrowly escaped terrible
calamity and it is not surprising that they
wish to make some atonement for the outrage
done to Massachusetts troops and to the gen.
eral government, by that bloody riot on that
memorable 10Th OF April.