Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1871-09-08
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Mr.. SUMMERS ADVENTURE IN BAL
TIdoRE.-Charles Sumner relates an in
cident that typifies the prevailing senti
ment in Baltimore, and his own charac
teristie firmness rnd selfrelience. A
noon on the 18th of April, 1861, hi
bought ticket at Washington for Balti
more, and arriving there, entered his
full name on the books of Barnum's no
tel. Preferring a quiet hour, he crossed
the street and ordered an early dinner
at Guys Monument house, always ia
nous for its good fare, and favorite
resort of the celebrities WHIP frequently
visited the monumental city. Dinner
over, be called on New England friend
and resident, remained to tea, and re-
turned through by-street to Barnum's,
entering at the side door, In the hall
he met gentleman who seemed much
excited by his presence, and anxious for
his safety. Conscious of his own recti-
tuGe, he walked up to the Office and de.
manded the key Of his room, to which
he was soon followed by the proprietor
of the hotel, the late lamented Zenas
Barnum, and another gentleman. There
he was informed that the fact of his be-
ing in the house had obtained publicity,
and that large and angry crowed was
outside threatening violence and de-
handing his life. His answer was that
he felt perfectly secure as long as he was
under that roof, and that he would hold
the proprietors responsible for any out
rage that might be attempted upon him.
Mr.. Barnum did not conceal his appre-
tensions alike for his great establishment
and for the safety of his guest, and I'M
der his advice Mr.. Sumner consented to
remove to a more inaccessible room,
where he remained for some time, dis
cussing the situation of the country with
his kind-hearted and generous host. He
could distinctly hear the threatenings of
the surgng mob outside, and he felt that
nothing was needed but the opportunity
to stimulate them to the widest violence.
Baltimore was completely in the hand
of reckless and blood-thirsty men. They
thought the government powerless. Free
dom of opinion was only tolerated on
one side. The newspapers, with the ex-
ception Of the Baltimore American, ad-
ded fuel to the fire, and Union men were
constrained to silence to save person and
property. The nations capital was al
most entirely unprotected, and, although
the North was at last rousing to full
sense Of the public peril, as yet no troops
had gone forward in response to the call
of the executive. Acting under the ad-
vice and the exhortations of Mr.. Bar
mum, Mr.. Sumner rose early on the
morning Of the 19th and in private
carriage crossed the then quiet streets of
the city to the Philadelphia station,
where he entered the first train eastward,
reaching Philadelphia in few hours.
On the way, and think at Havre-des
Grace, he met the men of the 9th Mas
sachusetts going south, and saw their
happy faces and heard their JOYOUS
shouts. When he got to Philadelphia
he found the streets crowded with peo-
pie discussing the crisis. To get exact
information, he called at the office of
the Press, and learned for the first time
the particulars of the attack upon the
9th Massachusetts on their way through
Baltimore. Had he taken the train of
the 18th instead of the 18th, he would
undoubtedly have been among the first
victims Of the rebellion, and possibly
Barnums hotel would have fallen be-
fore the infatuated fiends who were seek
ing for objects upon (which to wreak
their vengeance and their ingratitude. -
Fof7aey's "reminiscences.