The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-04-16

This will be an ever memorable day to
the people of Maryland. On the 10Th Of
April, 1861, the news was flashed over the
roughs Of that city had attacked the Mas
sachusettstroopsi in the street, on their way to
Washington TO defend the threatened Cap
ital. 1t was nearly dark when the news
reached Elkton, telegraphed to The Wig
by some Of our citizens who CHANGED to b.
in Baltimore on that memorable day. TIL,
following was the dispatch received, jus,
AS we were about closing the forms to sc
to press:
BALT1MoRE, April 10Th, 1861.
Friday Evening.
The mob is now dispersed. The troops
are out. The attack on the Massachusetts,
troops was most unprovoked, they did
everything to avoid the conflict. They
We're stoned for mile frem President Stree,
te Calvert Street, and fired on and several
killed, before they made any return. Whel
they fired first it was in the air. All is con
sternation here. The secessionists provoked
the attack purpesely, having begun it yes
terday on the c. s. troops. The loyal mer
say the country must be sustained. TIL,
mob was the most rillainous looking SCI
ever SEEM
The intelligence, like wild-fire, soon
spread over the town, and in few minutes
The office was filed with an eager crowd il
quest Of the startling news. Col. Groom'
was among the foremost of the eager throne
to see the dispatch of war. his fine feature.
working with excitement, and his gray
locks-not exactly streaming in the wind, >
but matted about his pale, intellectual
brow, as he eagerly pressed forward to learn
the purport Of the fearful tidings.
What chain of thrilling events crowded
on one another each day after this dreaG
opening of the carnival of blood. Mel
seemed crazed, and regarded each Other
with an eye of suspicion like the Bedon CT
the desert. Thick and fast came rumors
and reports from the seat of war, that the
Secessionists had burned the bridges on al
the railroads leading north from the city o
Baltimore; and soon the trains came thur
dering Gown the road, crowded with mel
from the hardy North, and freighted will
canon and other implements of war. Night
and day the steam-w whistle heralded Their
approach and transit to the scat of war
In the meantime, General Butler leaV Ing
the cars with a body of volunt GERS neaI
Perryville, had seized the railroad ferry
boat, and embarking his men and stores.
had steamed for Annapolis. avoiding Balti
more as plague spot, and landing on Tho
south side Of the rebellieus city proceede'
on to Washington. This cut OF the >cceS
sionists of Baltimore from their friend:
further south, placed a hostile army il
their rear, and their ardor soon perccptibl,
cooled. Soon after it was announced that
the city was in the hands OF the Fedora
forces, and the riusleaders of the secession
movement had either lied OF been captured
The rebel spirit about Elkton ran very
high at first but soldiers kept swarmin4
down from the North, and camps of men il
blue uniform. lined the depot lot with theij
tents, and their measured tramp. tramp.
was heard on our streets all hours in th.
day. and often late in the night. Sherman
arrived from the Northwest with his fine
battery Of artillery, and was stationed
north Of the town for several weeks. Thes'
admirably trained soldiers, with their fault
less equipments and movements. inspired
the secession clement with a very decided
degree of respect for the power of Uncl
Sam, while they were the pride of the
Union people. 1t was all Union and Scces
sion in those exciting days: al other party
names were forgotten. Lifelong ties were
severed by bitter animosities. which sprane
mp in night, and controlled their yotaries
with giant power.
1t is fearful now to calmly look back upor
those days of such intense excitement anf
uncertainty. And yet they were filled will
4 wild thrill Of if not enjoyment. it was al
least an intoxication which made life one
continued fascination. All OF the Sluggard
which turks naturally in the blood of the
human family, appeared to be driven ont
by the tocsin of war, and energy and enter
prise soon took the place of that stupol
which, with the first clash Of arms. chilled
the heart and nnnerved the arm of the
bravest.
Nine years have passed since then. and
how mighty The change. The colored peo-
pie looked on in quiet amazem cnt : yet
with fervent hope, inspired by the invisible
power which was about 10 make the wrath
Of man to praise Him. The Court House
bell-that same bell, which four years late,
tolled q joyous peal over the fall Of Rich
mond and the fight of the cohorts of re
bellion-then rang out warning to the col
ord people, at PM. to betakc themselves
to the r homes OF, if sen in the street
after that hour. the hand OF the Offices
would be upon them. No rights that
white nen were bound to respect was the
maxim which every man was made to feel.
But how changed is all now. In every foot
Of this wide nation. he stands to-day en-
iranchised and the peer of every white man
in political privileges. No mind, short OF
Divine wisdom. then conceived what mo-
mentous ch; IL os were in store for the near
future. Liberty had fed from an cid world
TO build her affairs i'll The Few. and followed
stealthily Ivy slavery, the fair goddess seems
auddeuly TO have awolc Hnd fonrd hey
hands nearly bound by her crafty old enc
N.Y. and breaking loose with one tGemen
dous effort, she determined to strange for
ever fiat great enemy to Tie human race.
The Sun OF the 10 h Of April, nine years
ago, set mid liriG sky of blood on TAGS
day next. he will rise and shine. and east
Ing his slantng rays over the placid Pacific
Will have illumircd 4 Land dcd Gated whellN
10 freedom. Such is the wonderful contrast
between April I'll and April 20.
-t;overnor Senter, of Tennessee. has
bcen before the Reconstruction Committee
OF Congress triin" to persuade them that
he must have Federal troops 10 keep order
i'll the State, and protect peaccablc citizens
from outrage by desperadoca and lawless
characters, who represent the Democratic
party Of that State Ii is clear enough