The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1897-09-29
PLOT In BALTIMORE.
UNION MEN WERE PREPARED TO
BURN THE CITY IN 1861.

a Counter Movement to One Which 1t Was
Relieved Southern sympathizers Had on
Foot Confidential Disclosures Made by
tho Old TobaoconIst.
During the first year of tho war, " u
grizzled colonel remarked, while recall
ing incidents of the great rebellion,
business connected with the recruiting
and cquipping of volunteers in Pennsyl-
ynnia took me frequently to Washing
ton, and. rs the hotels in that city soon
became crowded and uncomfortable, |
made II n custom to stop at Barnum's
In Baltimore, remain overnight there
aud run over to the capital early in tho
morning. and thus | passed many
hotel of the Monumental City, Near it
was large tobacconist's shop, where l
discovered n superior grade of cigars
was sold, and of this shop became
regular customer. Ordinarily ! was
served 10y young salesman, but fire.
qucntly saw in tho shop an old gentle
man who, | presumed, was tho proprie-
tor One day | WAS rather surprised by
tho old gentleman's stepping forward
TO wait on mo himself After ! WAS
served he said
III you arc not In II hurry. sir, l
would be pleased to have you walk into
my private Office and have smoke
IL readily assented, and he led the
way To II room Mt the rear of the store,
separated from it by glass partition,
plainly but comfortably furnished, and
having the appearance of long and Ia.
bitual use. Pushing toward mo II large
split hettomed rocker, my host remark
ed:
" Here, for many years, | have been
accustomed 10 receive my friends, of
whom | had many, but ann sorry to
say that now the number is sadly di
unfinished.
/" Why SOP | asked
:" Because Of differences III opinion,
he replied 4 need not remind you of
tho condition the whole country is in,
or tell you how completely mon vary in
their ideas of duty Nowhere Is that va
rance greater than here In Baltimore,
and nowhere is there greater danger of
its leading to II calamity
You surprise mo, exclaimed. 4
knew there WAS considerable secession
sentiment here and that months ago it
exhibited itself openly, leading to blood.
shed ON tho streets but | thought all
that had passed away
BY no means, he replied. The
rebel sentiment in Baltimore Is MS in
tense and bitter today M 1t ever was
Tho apparent quiet is only ON the sur
face You are i'll tho service of the
Union, and II may be ms we'll for you to
be informed exactly what the situation
here H.
'Throe-feurths Of the people of Bal
timore are intensely southern III their
feelings and prejudices All the slave
holders are so, and they arc tho leading
citizens Following them is tho class
which always toadies to what is consid
cred the aristooracy, and after these
comes II large disorderly element known
as the plug uglics, who are willing and
ready TO do anything that looks like re
sistauee TO constituted authority. Now,
] know beyond doubt that tho leading
secessionists here are thoroughly organ
lied and are determined, tho first favor
able opportunity that offers, to declare
openly for the new Confederacy and car
ry Baltimore certainly, and Maryland
if poFsi'lc, out of the Union
How IL all this to be done?' in
quircd
Their plan is this: They know
n Nvl,p, f,nu V.1,r
and their strength is well understood.
They have clubs organized. which meet
regularly, Tho 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 arc waiting only for
u definite, tangible opportunity to strike.
Such AN opportunity would como if tho
Confederate army made an advance to-
ward Washington thing they expect
or should the Union army meet with
another serious reverse in the east. If
Beauregard had pursued Mcdowell after
tho battle of Bull Run, they would
have risen then, aud many wero tho
curses heapcd upon him for his failure,
as they expressed It, TO follow up his
victory.
What, / asked, do you Union
men propose to do if the movement you
anticipate il made2'
Burn tho city he replied Just
ns certainly AZ tho Russians burned
Moscow will we burn Baltimore il the
rebels hero tako 1t out OF tho Union.