Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1897-10-17
PLOT IN BALTIMORE.
UNION MEN WERE PREPARED TO
 BURN THE CITY IN 1861.

Believed Southern Sympathizers Had on
 Foot--Conadcntsn Disclosures Made by
 the Old Tobacconist.
 During the first year of the war, , grizzled colonel remarked, while recall ing incidents of the great rebellion, business connected with the recruiting and equipping of volunteers in Pennsyl vania took me frequently to Washing ton, and, as the hotels in that city seen became crowded and uncomfortable, l made it a custom to stop at Barnum s, i'll Baltimore, remain overnight there and run over to the capital early in the morning, and thus l passed many nights during 1861 ill the famous old hotel of the Monumental City Near 1t was large tobacconist' $ shop, where l discovered superior grade of cigars was sold, and of this shop became a regular customer Ordinarily I was served by young salesman, but fre- quently saw in the shop all old gentle man who presumed, was the proprie- tor. One day was rather surprised by the old gentleman's stepping forward to wait on me himself. After l was served he said
 '' If you are not i'll q hurry, sir, l would be pleased to have you walk into my private office and have smoke.
 II readily assented, and he led tha way to a room at the rear of the store. separated from 1t by glass partition, plainly but comfortably furnished, and having the appearance of long aud ha- bitual use. Pushing toward me 8 large split bottomed rocker, my host remark ed:
 U Here, for many years, have been accustomed to receive my friends, of whom 1 had many, but am sorry to say that now the number is sadly di unfinished
 '' Why sos' 1 asked
 q Because of differences in opinion. he replied 1 need not remind you of tho condition the whole country is i'll. 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 . calamity.
 . You surprise me, 1 exclaimed. 1 knew there WAS considerable secession sentiment here, and that months ago 1t exhibited itself openly, leading to blood shed on the streets, but l thought all that had passed away.
 By no means he replied Tho rebel sentiment in Baltimore is as in- tense and bitter today as 1t ever was. The apparent quiet is only on the sur face. You are i'll the service of tho Union, and 1t may be as we'll for you to be informed exactly what the situation here is.
 :. .Three-fonrths of tho people of Bal. timore are intensely southern ta their feelings and pejudiees. All the slave. holders are so, and they are the leading citizens. Following them is the class which always toadies to what is consid- cred the aristocracy, and after these comes q large disorderly element known as the ping uglies, who are willing and ready to do anything that locks like re- sistance to constituted authority. Now, l know beyond doubt that the leading secessionists here are thoroughly organ, ized and are determined. the first favor. able opportunity that offers to declare openly for the new Confectionery and car. ry Baltimore certainly, and Maryland if possible, out of the Union.
 T" How is all this to. be done?' I in. quired.
 :" Their plan is this: Tkay know every man upon whom they can relS, and their strength is well understood. They have clubs organized, which meet regularly. The leaders have control of plenty of money, aud supplies of arms are available. Regular communication is had with the Confederate leaders in Virginia and thcY are waiting only fer q definite tangible opportunity to strike Such an opportunity would come if the Confederate army made an advance to- ward Washington--a thing fhey expect -er shoald the Union arlay lneet with another serious reverse in thc east If Beanregard had pursued Mcdowell after the battle of Bull Ran, they would have risen then, and many were the curses heaped upon him for his failaro, as they expressed 1t. to follow up hia victory
 N nat l asked, tto Y0u Ohl0E men propose to do if the noyement you anticipate is made:
 :" 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 i'll numbers, do this:'
 Well, sir. We. too. 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 fires will he started at once Dc you know what this is?' he asked, taking from closet a ball cf tow, cotton, CT oakam about the size of large cocoa nut. It is | fire ball. thoroughly satu- rated with turpen,ine Plenty of these are ready, and at m understood signal they will be lighted and thrown where they will certainly prove effective Oh, we know well enoagh that we cannot resist the organized rebels, but you can rely upon it that only the ruins If Bal