The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-02-22
q The Truth Of History. !

the war constitutes treason, then the Ney
| England Federnlsts stand guilty OF that helm
Gus crime. So does the Wing party for it
opposition TO the Mexican war, and ever,
Southern sympashizer in the loyal States dur
ing the late Rebellion was traitor.
The Constitution Of the United States, Ar
ticle 3rd, Sec. 3rd says;-Treason agains
the United States shall consist only in levyiai
war against them, or in adhering to their en-
emies, giving them aid and comfort, Ii
this sense Of the term, assert again that the
Advocate has failed to sustain the charge
Of treason made against tho New England
Federalists.
The Advocate begins by citing US to De
catur's official report to the Secretary of the
Navy, The strongest language in this com
munication is in these words;-"There is nc
doubt that they 1.-THE enemy have by signals
or otherwise, instantaneous information oil
our movement.
| Decatur declares the fact Of signals being
made, but does not say who made them. 1t
is quite possible that they were made by Brit
ish soldiers, for Commodore Hardy had II to
10 vessels in his blockading fleet, and his men
| frequently went ashore. But grant that il
was the work Of some Of the inhabitants along
the coast, should the federal party be made
responsible for the acts Of these indiyidualsl
That party was no more responsible than the
democratic party to-day is responsible for the
great election frauds of Tilden 4 Co. as dis
covered in cipher dispatches.
In addition to Decatur testimony on "Blue
Lights the Advocate quotes from Gillet's
Democracy in the United States the fol-
lowing passage decatur would doubtless
have got to sea with his three ships, but for
the successful efforts at treason, designed to
crush the nation and humble it before the
British lion by these Federalists at New Lon.
DON That is Wanting democracy for you,
Of the genuine ring. Gillet is one Of demoo-
raey's oracles, and he speaks boldly and au.
thoritatiyely against the black-hearted fed
eralists.
Now let us test this positive testimony By
facts and circumstances as given by sober
| historians.
S. G. Goodrich, the historian, in his RE
collections of a Life Time Vol, !, speaking
Of the British bloekading squadron threaten
ing New London and vicinity and the defense
Of the place, says;-'But now a new state Of
things had arisen in Connecticut: our own
territory was threatened. For this, the State
government had made wise preparations, and
on their part there was no hesitation. Il was
midsummer-a period when the husbaudmen
]
ders were sent By Governor Smith to dispatch
at once the companies of militia from the
larger towns to the defense of New London
and the neighboring country. At that time
| | belonged to an artillery company and this
was among those ordered to the coast. | re-
ceiyed a summons at four o clock in the after
noon to be ready to march the next day at
sunrise.
Here is direct tertimony from the historian
and soldier who participated in the defense of
New London. He states distinctly that the
| Governor of Connecticut lof course wicked
| iederalist) ordered the militia Of the State to
repel the threatened attack of the British.
Does this eorroborate the statement of Gillet
that the federalists ''designed to crush the
I nation and humble it before the British lion ~
| The same author speaking of the fine drill of
the Connecticut militia says 1--WE soon
gained much reputation for our martial exer
cises and our tidy appearance. Among those
who came to witness our performances were
often persons of distinction. On two occa-
sions Decatur, Biddle, and Jones came to see
US, and eomplimented US very heartily
Goodrich also testiies Of Blue Lights. He
says While | was there, blue lights, and
indeed lights of various other colors were Of.
ten seen, apparently along the shore; and it
was generally understood that these were sig
nails thrown up from the British ships or per
haps from parties of the enemy cruising in
boats among the islands or going ashore on
the main land. Ii was impossible in most
cases, to determine whether these came from
the land or the water; at all events they were
very common. They we're always attributed
to the British, and excited no particular in
terest. They we're regarded only as telegraphs
Of the enemy, which, in general, they, and
they only, could read. -
In another place the same author says -
These 'sBlue Lights were never traced even
by suspicion to any individual.
Farther, to repel the imputatiou Of Giliels
charges, le. me recall Revolutionary scene
that occurred at this same New London. The
historian thus describes it :-'ou the 9th of
September, 1881, feet Of 80 vessels, of all
classes, conveyed to New London force of
about 1000 men. These were landed the
next day and marched upon the town. All
was panic and confusion among the inhabi.
tants. Col. Ledyard, with such means as
could be mustered, took his station at Fort
Griswold. Arnold, amid random shots, which
did some execution, entered the town. The
work of destruction then commenced. The
torch was applied and long line Of fire soon
developed the place. Shops, stores, vessels,
wharves, boats, rigging, were enveloped in
smoke and flame, Arnold was born near this
place and was well acquainted with it. He
used his information to effect the destruction
of the best parts of the city and nearly all its
stores of merchandise On the other side of
the river deeper tragedy was being enacted
Col. Eyre had been dispatched against Fort
Griswold with two British regiments. Its defen-
ders under Col. Ledyard we're but one hun
dred and fifty men. Both attack and defense
we're firm and determined, but the enemy at
last conquered by numbers. They marched
in and Col. Ledyard ordered his men to throw
down their arms. A few, however, in one of
the bastions still resisted. This irritated the
British and they continued their deadly FIRE
from the parapeis, even upon the surrendered
Americans. AT last the British Major Brom-
field, on whom the command had degolved,
entered and demanded, '.Who commands
this fort? ~ II did, said Col. I4edyard, s'but
you do now" At the same time he pressn.
ted his sword in token of submission. The
ferocioas commander took the weapon and
plunged it into the owners bosom. At the
same time the attendants rushed upon the
PROSTATE victim and dispatched him with their
bayonets. The work of butchery then went
on against the survivors. At last the enemy
departed, leaving So Americans dead and
about 30 regarded as mortally wounded. More
than half this butehery took place after the
surrender. Such was the desolating expedi-
ton OF the traitor, Benedict Arnold, against
New London. The memory of this event and
the natural hatred consequently inspired by
the British name still ises here and in the
neighborhood
With these undeniable historical facts be-
fore US eau any sane man believe that Gilet
was not Getuated by gindlctive party malice
in making the assertion quoted from him by
the Advocate. Candid reader, do not the
facts justify the rational conclusion that the
accusations made against the New London
federalists are false?
But will give one more testimonial for the
New London federalists that even the "Adyo-
caten must acknowledge strong. When De-
catur took refuge in New London harbor, the
inhabitants we're thrown into great alarm
At this moment q messenger was sent 70 fort
Grisgnld for ilanael to be used for the can
non. Most Of the portable goods had been
sent away and the Ipassenger was unsuceess-
fal until be met Mrs, Anna Baily, who ia.
staHtly took off her flannel petfieoat and hear.
| tiiy devoted il TO the patriotic cause Of de.
| Tense. Il was carried 10 the fortress and dis,
played on pike. The story being told tho
| garrison chesred and the s'martial petticoat'
became almost as celebrated as Mahomes's
breaches. When the mothers are thus ievot'
1 ed to their country can the Advocate ques
| tiou the loyalty Of the sons2 VIII the TAd
| yoeaiep still persist in saying that al history
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