Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-26
FIFTY YEARS AGO
In THE STAR

to represent themselves as policemen In
The Star Of November Is. 1851, Is a case
in point:
"A somewhat novel case was brought
before Justice Thompson a few days ago
in which it appeared that a citizen. in
order. as he alleged, to further the ends
Of justice, represented himself to be a
policeman and by so dong induced a
person not brought before the justice to
give good money for counterfeit five
dollar bill which he had passed. AS there
was no evidence that the bogus o11cer
had any fraudulent intention, the justice
dismissed the case with seasonable adj
monition. 1t may not be generally known
and it, therefore, seems proper to state
that the 22d section of the act to create
metropolitan police force OF the District
Of Columbia makes 1t a misdemeanor.
punishable by fine or two years imprison-
ment, for any person, not a member of
the police force, falsely to represent HIM
self as being such member, with fraudu-
lent design Now, as to do this even
without fraudulent design or even in
sport may subject the party to arrest
and vexatious proceedings before the civil
magistrate, 1t may be well, under all cir
cumstances, to publish this notice by way
of friendly caution"
4 4
Immediately after the seizure of Mason
and Slidell speculation arose as to the
international effect Of the
international action. Some were in
o,.: clined to take the view
e''10"' that this government was
entirely within it's rights in the premises,
The Star being Of this number. as EVIL
denced by the following passage, occur
ring in the issue Of November 10, 1851:
Since the capture of Messrs. Mason
and SHdell many persons have been anx-
iously inquiring, What will England do?
What she will do is uncertain, but what
she ought to do is very sure. The Brit
ish government should direct Lord Lyons
to return the thanks of her majesty to
the United States government for its
forbearance in not having seized the
steamer Trent. brought her into port and
confiscated ship and cargo for an open.
fragrant breach Of the International law
in suffering the agents and enemies at
war with the United States to come on
board and for carrying official pape. and
dispatches Of the enemies of the United
States. BY all writer's and jurists the
conveyance of hostile dispatches Is re-
garded as an Illegal assistance afforded
to belligerent of the most injuri Gus,
hostile and noxious character; as an act
that subjects to just condemnation both
ship and cargo. BY the quee..'s
proclamation in May last the British gov
eminent acknowledged the rebel states to
be belligerents, to wit: Enemies of the
United States government, making war
upon it. The hour that proclamation was
made British ships. by their own prin
ciples Of International law, were bound,
under penalty Of seizure and confiscation,
to abstain from carrying dispatches Or
doing any act that favored the Confed-
crates. because, in time Of war, such act
would be noXious and hostile to this gov
eminent. But, instead Of observing such
conduct. British vessels have become the
daily vehicles Of Confederate .communica-
ton. 1t was time for an end to be put
to this unneutral conduct"
X X
A great review of the troops in the
field in the vicinity of Washington was
held the Goth Of November,
Field and in The Star of that
day was printed an account
ASosio"' of the affair:
Everybody in Washington went over
today to. see the great review at BaIleys
Cross Roads, but owing to the length Of
the route prescribed Via Balls Cross
the Long bridge draws and the stockade,
it was half days work to get to the
point of review. Many who went were
sitting for hours in their vehicles at the
bridge, waiting for the slow current to
move on. Gen. Mcclellan, with bril-
liant staff and escorted by several regi-
ments Of cavalry, with full cavalry
band proceeding by the same route dong
bridge, Balls Cross Roads and Munsons
HID, did not reach the grounds until
quarter past II. On his arrival he re-
ceived a salute and salvOs by battery,
and as he rode along the line In review
the roars of cheers that were sent up
from the $4,000 threats Of his army were
nearly as deafening as the thunders Of
the artillery. The scene at this time was
imposing in the extreme-a scene to be
remembered for lifetime, as Gen. Nc
Clellan, With his full staff, and accom-
panied by President Lincoln and Secre-
taries Cameron and Seward, dashed rap
idly along past the immense bodies of
infantry, cavalry and artillery extending
sons Hill and Baileys cross Roads Fol-
lowing upon this review the marching
review of the troops would take place,
not probably to be finished until night
fall, such were their numbers
Naturally there was great curiosity, es-
peclally curing the early part u TIE war;
regarding the situation
Confederate within the ranks of the
Conditions. ers and deserters reach
ing Washington were closely questioned.
In The Star Of November %, 1861. is this
paragraph:
Last evening deserter from the rebel
army opposite to us came into one OF the
Union camps on the other side of the
river. He reports that they had suf-
ficiency of both bread and meat, but are
suffering much for the want of proper
clothing, shoes. etc. Also that the news
OF the capture and occupation OF Port
Royal had created immense excitement
among the Georgia and North and South
Carolina troops especially. most OF whom
yehemently expressed desire to return
home forthwith. The rebel general In
command has ever refused to listen to
any proposition. on the ground that ne
was daily expecting a general attack from
the Union army. He adds that plan