Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1869-04-23
Baltimore Correspondence.
BALTIMORE, Aprl 19, 1869.

Baltimore Correspondence.
-. ... BALTIMORE, April 10, 1869.
We live in an age Of progress. An age
when men, not content with gradual adj
vancement toward the attainment of their
purposes, must needs sacrifice safety and COM
fort in the impetuosity with which they press
on. The experience of our forefathers, the
precepts and example of sober ancestry, the
admonitions of bistory-all 60 for naught
with the progressive people Of these latter
days. The desire for speed is too great to
follow the firm though perhaps circuitous
routes that reflective reason might suggest !;
and the goal, mere creation, it may be, of
a disordered Imagination, stands out too in-
vitingly to admit of cool estimate of the
costs that may be incurred 10 the efforts to
reach it. The theories and teachings Of form
er days, not adapting themselves to the spirit
of the present times, are regarded merely as
"old fogyisms )" and the popular mind seems
frenzied for something new-some change
from the former condition Of things. This
appears to be the more modern definition of
progress-change. The most visionary no.
tions are put forward. and characterized as
progressive. 10 politics the term progress
seems to be but cloak for corruption, and,
it may be, for treason; in "religion" for the
rankest heresy, and the most revolving wick
edness. The most absurd and disgusting in
ovation struts forth with brazen face and calls
itself progress" And mems minds of late
seem ready to accept anything that assumes
this Wanting name, provided it is new-that
is, that it does not come to them bearing any
evidences of derivation from or conformi-
ty to established usages. Constitutional
safeguards are broken down by those In au-
thority-whole States are deprived of the pro-
lection of law-corruption predominates in
every department of government,-and we
are told it is "progress" many are fools
enough to believe it. Feminine aspirations,
Haunting petticoat banner and clamoring
about "rights," marshals its garrulous legions
to the tune of progress" Ecclesiastical
..a,ua. ;..-ea. .seti-sD of .v<rr,sry -wus-,
most daboIical warfare against their weaker
brethren in another section, and call their
religion" ~ a progressive one. And so OF
thousand other absurdities equally pernici-
Gus, which insipuate themselves into public
acceptation under the name of progress"
One of the latest and possibly one of the most
Insignificant examples of the progressive spirit
of the age, and Of our country especially, is
the issue, recently, of a weekly paper in New
York called The Imperialist, devoted, as its
prospectus informs US, to the advocacy ofre-
evolutionary measures and of the establish
ment of an Empire in this country. Its cob
ject is to prepare the American people for a
revolution that is as desirable as it is inevita-
hle." Its title page is embellished with the
picture of crown. From its last leading
editorial we quote, ''Let US then prepare to
welcome the Empire as our delverance from
the danger that menaces and threatens the
doomed Republic" 1t may not be of sufi
Gent Importance to create any serious alarm
but, unquestionably, "straws show which way
the wind blows,"-and the bare fact of the
existence of such a paper amongst US, indi-
Gates material Difference between the pres
ent and the past.
Gov. Bowie has made application to the
City Council for permission to enter Balti
more with the Baltimore and Potomac Rail-
road. 1t is proposed, we understand, to tun-
mel that section OF the city through which the
road will extend The Council have the mat
ter under advisen,ent, and, doubtless, satisfac
tory terms will speedily be arranged.
On Saturday night last between nine and
ten o'clock, while number of fremen were
endeavoring to extinguish fire on McClel-
lan's alley, near Baltimore street, portion of
the wall Of the burnt building fell, killing one
man outright and seriously if not fatally in
juriug a number If others. Some Of the men
who were caught beneath the ruins were not
extricated, owing to the amount of debris, un-
til four o'clock Sunday morning.
In the Criminal Court of Baltimore, Oh
Friday last. John McNamara, convicted for
the murder of bis wife on Christmas day,
1867, was sentenced "to be taken to Balti-
more county, from whence his trial was re-
moved, and then, at such time as the Cover
nor may direct, to be hung" 1t is said that
at the time the murder was committed Nc
Namara was under the influence of liquor.
Yesterday was one of the most delightful
April days we have ever witnessed. The
streets were thronged pretty much all day
The churches were largely attended; and in
the afternoon large crowds visited the various
public squares and parks.
WEGa.