Semi=weekly graphic., 1897-10-16
PLOT IN BALTIMORE.
UNION MEN WERE PREPARED TO
 BURN THE CITY IN t86t

AAG 84A A0HaG&uhiHtf
 During the first year of the war, grizzled colonel remarked, while recall ing incidents of the great rebellion, tbusiness connected with the recruiting and equipping Of volunteers in Pennsyl- vania took me frequently to Washing ton. and. as the hotels in that city soon became crowded and uncomfortable l made it a custom to stop at BarnuIn s, in Baltimore, remain overnight there and run over to the capital early in the morning, and thus passed many nights during 1861 ill the famous old hotel of the Monumental City. Near 1t was Q lurge tobaeconist's shop. where l discovered superior grade of cigars was sold, and of this shop became regular customer. Ordinarily was served by young salesman, but l fre quently saw in the shop all old gentle man who, 1 presumed, was the proprie tor One day I was rather surprised by the old gentleman's stepping forward to wait on me himself After 1 was served he said:
 '' If you are not ill Il hurry, sir, 1 would be pleased to have you walk into my private office and have smoke.
 ''I readily assented, and he led tho way 10 a room at the rear of the store, separated from 1t by q glass partition, plainly but comfortably furnished, and having the appearance of long and ha- bitaal use. Pushing toward me large split bottomed rocker, my host remark ed:
 't Hero, for many years, l have been accustomed to receive my friends, of whom l had many, but nm sorry to say that now the number is sadly di unfinished
 . Why so3a asked
 Because of differences i'll opinion, be replied l 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 here in Baltimore, and nowhere is there greater danger of it's leading to q calamity
 s You surprise me, 1 exclaimed. l knew there was considerable secession sentiment here, and that months ago it exhibited itself openly leading to blood shed on tGe streets, but 1 thought all that had passed away.
 :" By no means, he replied Tho rebel sentiment in Baltimore is as in- tense and bitter today as t ever was Tho apparent quiet is only on the sur face You are ill che service of thu Union, and II may be IS well for you to be informed exactly what the situation here is.
 .Three-fourthso of the people Of Bal- timore are intensely southern tn their feelings and prejaaicas. All Che slave holders arc so, and they are the leading citizens. Following them is the class which always toadies to what is cousid. cred the aristoeraey, and after these comes q largo disorderly element known as the plug uglies, who are willing and ready To do anything that looks like re- sistance to constituted authority. Now, know beyond doubt that the leading sccessionists here arc thoroughly organ. ized and are determined the first favor. able opportunity that offers, to declare openly for the new Confederacy and car ry Baltimore certainly, and Maryland if possible, out of the Union.
 How is all this to be don5:' I in. quired
 Their plan is this: TEoy lrnov every man upon whom they can rel2. and their strength is well understood They have clubs organized, which meet regularly The leaders have control of plenty of money, and supplies of arms are available. Regular communication is had with the Confederate leaders in Virginia, and they are waiting only for definite, tangible opportunity to strike Such an opportunity would come 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 tho east. If Beauregard had pursued Mcdowell after the battle of Bull Run, they would have risen then. and many were the curses hoaped upon him for his failure, as they expressed it. to follow ID his victory
 What, l asked, dc you Union men propose to do if tho movement you anticipate is mades
 Burn the city, he replied Just as certainly as the Russians burned Moscow will we burn Baltimore if the rebels here take it out of the Union
 How can you, so few comparative ly in numbers, do this:'
 We'll sir, we, t3o. are organized and for this one purpose. In every part Of the city preparations have been made, and when the time comes 100 or more fircs will be started at once Do you know what this is?' be asked, taking from a closet ball Of toSv. cotton. ,r oakulu abont the size of largo cocoa nut II Is fire ball, thoroughly sata. rated with turpenline Plenty of these are ready, and at cn understood signal they will be lighted and thrown where they will certainly prove effective Oh, we know well enough that we cannot resist the organized rehels, but you can rely upon t that only the ruius If Bal. timore will ever become q part of the slaveholding Confectionery
 Il never saw my old t,nion loving tobacconiSr after that evening, for not