, 1864-12-23

Times have changed in this section Of the
country within year or two past, In many
respects. From slave State, to the enjoy
ment Of every blessing consequent upon free
institutions, was radical change from the
horrors of secession control, aud thu jeers and
inso1ence Of rebel sympathizers, to the tri-
umpbant ru1c Of Union sentiment and the old
aag, was another great change. But in no
particular instance is this moral resolution
more closely marked or more fully developed
than with tho tlnanclers and capitalists of the
city. 1t is only a very brief period since it
was deemed actually disreputable for a bank
or broker to deal in Government securities,
to loan upon them, or in in fact to recognise
in any way this class Of issues, and for many
months the Citizens Bank and the banking
house Of hIckein s. Co., were the only money
ed institutions, with or through whom bonds
or other evidences of debt Of the United
States could be negotiated or purchased.
Nov, however, the case is far different, and
every bank and brokers' office has its signs
announcing the fact that " Government sectl-
rites are bought and sold" And not only
this, but there Is nov movement on toot,
which ] am informed Is likely to be SUCCESS
ful, to nationalize the entire banking capital:
Of the city, reaching somewhere about ten
millions OF dollars. Three banks are already
In operation under the National system, hay-
ing an aggregate capital Of sl.75o, 900, sud
there ls ut this moment real mania among
capitalists for National Bank stock, and the
former despised Government issues are now
the favorite securities. Well, 20 let it be. All
this however, goes to show, that prejudice
will fearfnlly warp the Judgment Of even the
shreWdcst OF all shrewd people-the old mon
ey-bags.
TIE MILITARY RULE.
You are aware that strict military sur
ularly In the city Of Baltimore. Military
magnates administer military Law in very
summary manner upon civilians who are do.
tected in any Of the little Illegal whitns to
which many Of our Traders are addicted, and
every means arc resorted to TINT scoudrelfy
Fl ON falling into the hands Of ProyUst-Mar-
shal Col. HooIey. The fear Of this officer, on
the part Of the individuals who are engaged
In contrabaud t1ade, is SO great that on more
than enc occasion, when it was known that
his eye was upon certain suspected parties,
they have given themselves up voluntarily to
the civil authority, rather than run the risk
an 1ndiartaD, possessing rare executive abili-
t., md withal, so keen and sharp, that tue
Instances arc few where his plans have f1ilea.
H holds daily sessions Of his Court" and
generally does q very lively business. His
goQd nature and unynrJing courtesy to all
him dcservedly popular, while the wholesome
severity which hc deals out to the trausgres-
sor makes him the terror of tha ttlasS.
REnEL syNPATH1zERs-
It is understood that there is large seces-
sion influence In this city. Many Of the old
families have fathers, sons, brothers. or hus-
bands In tie Confederate service, While 9TH
crs are pecuniariiy interested in the rebel suc-
cess, having their entire property within the
rebel lines. That these people do all they
can to MD their friends is undoubtedly true
but there are few Of them at this late day who
ore willing. simply for friendships sake, to
risk Fort McHenry. The day of open ayowed
scccssionism in Baltimore has passed, and
what there is Of it now is confessed to a par-
tlcqlar circle, whe ass supposed to be true to
it p1cases. but, after all, Baltimore is fully as
loyal rs New. York City.
TIE U,,1oN cLuB.
This organization has been OF great service
in bringing the Union men Of the city To-
gether, nearly all those of any prominence
being members. They have fine clubhouse
On Charles street, furnished in excellent taste,
and provided with reading and lounglng
rooms. billiard tables, chess and card tables,
&C.. There is also fine restaurant connected
with the rooms. Here the 1atest~news can
always be hcaid, and nearly all the prominent
military and civic strangers OF Union proeliy-
tiles be seen. Here met on Saturday even
ing last, Maj. Gen. AlcCook, who is NOW wait
ing orders from Gen. Sherman, to whom be
is ordered to report. In the course Of con-
versation he related the following reminis-
cence of
GENERAL BEAUEE6ARp.
You will remember that Beauregard was
assigned to tie SupcFintendency Of West
Point in February, 1861. Three days after
his arrival there he vas relieved and ordered
| to report At Washington, the Government
| having suspicious thus early rs to his loyalty.
At that time Gen. AcCook also held some
| OF Beuuregard's departure for the Capital, III
| yitcd him and one Of the Professors to take a
parting glass As the glasses we're raised the
! Professor proposed . toast in which he allnd
| ed to the Black clouds which were eyen,thcu
thTeateningly gathering over the country, and
| hoped they would ere long be scattered, DC.
&c. BeauregArd exclaimed with much yehe
! mvnee, "I drink that with all my heart, and
| {raisine his arms this right arm is ready tt
| deal the first blow 10 scatter them" Less
than six weeks after he WIS firing on Sumter,
! Gtn. McCook thinks he did not then intend
. to enter the rebel service, but being piqued
at the suspicious Of Government, he was sub
! sequently induced to go over.
cH1cAGoAEs on THEIR TRAVELS.
! There have recently been lnrge numbers o
your Chicago gentlemen stopping here, whoss
/ real business Was with the political cauldrot
+: may name Hons. L: n. Arnold and s. ". Full
Ter, ". A. Porter, Esq, Mr.. Henry Wenlt
md Hon. E. 8. 1sha,n and lady.