The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-10-19
PLOT IN BALTIMORE.
UNION MEN WERE PREPARED 10
BURN THE CITY IN 1861.

Foot-Confidcntial Disclosures nIndo by
tho Old Tobacconist.
During the first year Of tho war;"
grlZzlcd colonel remarked, while recall
ing incidents of tho great rebellion,
business connected with the recruiting
and equipping of volunteers in Pcnnsyl-
wanna took mo frequently to Washing
ton, and, as the hotels i'll that city soon
became crowded and uncomfortable,
made 1T custom to stop at Barnum's,
Ill Baltimore, remain overnight there
and run over to tho capital early in tho
morning, and thus 1 passed many
nights during 1861 in the famous old
hotel of the Monumental City. Near it
was large tobacconist's shop, where I
discovered Il superior grade of cigars
was sold, and Of this shop I became q
regular customer. Ordinarily I was
served by u young salesman, but fire.
Qucntly saw i'll the shop an old gentle
man who, presumed, was the proprie-
tor. One day 1 was rather surprised by
tho old gentleman's stepping forward
to wait OH mo himself After 1 was
served ho said:
yNo tiAO ilOV LII IL 6lT,
would be pleased to have you walk into
my private office and havo smoke
II readily assontcd, and he led tho
way to room at tho rear Of the store
separated from it by glass partition,
plainly but comfortably furnished, and
having tho appearance Of long and ha-
bitual use. Pushing toward mo q largo
split bottomcd rocker, my host remark
ed:
Here, for many years, have been
accustomed to receive my friends, of
whom had many, but am sorry to
say that now the number is sadly di-
minished'
Why SOP 1 asked.
Because OF differences in opinion,
he replied I need not remind you of
the condition the whole country is in,
or tell you how completely men vary in
their ideas of duty. Nowhere is that va
riance greater than hero in Baltimore,
and nowhere is there greater danger of
its leading to calamity
You surprise me-, exclaimed L
knew there was considerable secession
sentiment here. and that months ago it
exhibited itself openly, leading to blood
shed on the streets, but thought all
that had passed away.
g By no means he replied. Tho
rebel sentiment in Baltimore is as in
tense and bitter today as it over was.
The apparent quiet is only on tho sur
face You are in the service of tho
Union, and it may BIO as we'll for you to
be Informed exactly what the situation
hero is.
"Three-fourths Of the people of Bal
timore arc intensely southern in their
feelings and prejudices All the slave
holders are so, and they are the leading
citizens. Following thom is tho class
which always toadies to what is consid-
cred the aristocracy, and after these
comes largo disorderly element known
as the plug uglies, who arc willing and
ready to do anything that looks like re-
sistance to constituted authority. Now,
know beyond doubt that the leading
secessionists here arc thoroughly organ
lied and are determined, the first favor
able opportunity that offers, to declare
openly for the now Confederacy and car
ry Baltimore certainly, and Maryland
if possible, out of the Union
How is al this to be done?' I in
CURED
"'Their plan is this: They know
every man upon whom they can rely,
and their strength is we'll understood
They have clubs organized. which meet
regularly. The leaders have control Of
plenty of money, and supplies of arms
arc available Regular communication
is had with the Confederate leaders in
Virginia, and they are waiting only for
adefinite, tangible opportunity to strike
Such an opportunity would como if tho
Confederate army made an advance to-
ward Washington-a thing they expect
OR should tho Union army meet with
another serious reverse in the east. If
Beauregard had pursued Mcdowell after
the battle Of Bull Run, they would
have risen then, ard many wcro tho
curses heaped upon him for his failure,
as they expressed it. to follow up his
victory.
What, I asked do you Unicn
men propose to do if tho movement you
anticipate is NADER
Burn tho city, he replied. Just
as certainly as the Russians burned
Moscow will wo barn Baltimore if the
rebels here take it out Of the Union
How can you, SO few comparative
ly in numbers, do this?'
"'Well, sir. we, too, arc organized
and for this one purpose. In every part
of the city preparations have been made,
and when the time comes 100 or more
fires will be started Mt once Do you
know what this is?' he asked, taking
from closet ball Of tow, cotton
oakum about the size Of large cocoa