Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-07
FIFTY YEARS AGO
IN THE STAR

1t was not regarded as good form in
this city fifty years ago to express
sentiments inimical to the
Church Federal cause. and as a rule
r,., inhabitants of the capital
0AVseu' were discreet in their ex-
pressions. 1t was found. however, that
there was danger even in silence. the
following paragraph, printed in The Star
OF March 81. 1862, suggests:
Some surprise was occasioned yester-
day Sunday morning by the fact of
the Church Of the Ascension remaining
unopened after the usual time. and the
appearance Of two sentries at the door.
The congregation, unaware of the clos
ing of the house, had gathered in front
Of the church, and were there informed
by the sexton that he had been directed
not to open the church until further
ordered by DR.. Pinkney the rector.
Nothing could be obtained from the
sentries as to what was their business
there. The congregation soon left the
vicinity. The SentrieS remained at the
church door until after IL o'clock, and
then left the church. We learn that
on Saturday afternoon DIR. Pinkney re-
ceived note signed by Charles +:
marshal. advising him TO close the church
tomorrow on account of anticipated dis
turbances growing out of the rector's
omission to use the prayer of thanksgiv-
ing for recent victories. directed by
the RI Rev Bishop Nottingham. DR..
Pinkney answered the note, stating that
he was confident that no disturbance
would take place, yet as directed he
would order the church not to be opened
unless he was otherwise directed by the
provost marshal. At noon today the
Church of the Ascension was opened for
the customary services. and announce
ment was made for the usual services
on Friday next
1.-THE discovery on the lawn near the
statue of Jackson. in front Of the White
House. which is attrac-
MVSteriOuS ing SO much attention
today, is undoubtedly
1dIa61dPA. part Of the machinery
by which treason planned the destruction
of the Executive Mansion. The articles
taken from the cave are curious indeed. y
This paragraph appears in The Star at
this time fifty years ago in the column
headed, Our Military Budget" which
comprised the second edition of the
paper. The heading was "The Plot" A
reader of the old files of the paper will
look in vain for any explanation of this
mysterious publication in subsequent is
sues, and the only clue to its meaning is
furnished by the fact that it appeared
on the 1st of April, 1862. which indicates
that the sense of humor was not alto
gether dulled by the distress of war.
In the same issue of the paper is an
article which is to be taken seriously and
undoubtedly was a correct report of the
happening described:
Maj. Gen. Mcclellan was visited at his
quarters, near Fairfax Seminary. Va, on
Friday night last by the
Mcclellan entire 95th Regiment.
Pennsylvania Volunteers,
0oAeAouou' under command of Col.
the music of the band and also glee
club belonging to the regiment. After
the serenade the general appeared and
addressed the regiment as his comrades,
adding that he thanked them for three
things, one in the past, one In the present
and one in the future. In the past, for
the superior discipline and military Skill
displayed on every occasion when he had
been permitted to witness them on the
field; in the present, for the smiling con-
fidence which Shone in the faces which
he was able to see in the dim light, and in
the future for the assurance that in them
he could rely to help him, to fight for
him, and If necessary to die with him.
Can 1 not? At this thousand voices
answered Yes, yes, every time" He then
said he did not think this last would be
rebellion without resorting to such sac
rifice. With three times three and a
huge tiger they babe the general good
night. nearly every man as they passed
insisting upon giving him a hearty shake
by the hand. The generals wife, who
was present. seemed fully imbued with
the enthusiasm of those around her.
Conditions around Washington had so
greatly improved that the military re-
strictions laid. upon the
No Passes people We're considerably
relaxed at this time fifty
A'o4"'Ae"' years ago. In The Star of
April =. 1852 is the text of an order
issued from the headquarters of the mill
tary district of Washington, and signed
by Brig Gen. James S. Wadsworth, mill
'tary governor:
Permits or passes to cross the Poto-
mac within the limits of this command
will no longer be required of citizens.
Officers and soldiers coming from the
southern side of the Potomac must have
permits as heretofore.
mo restrictions upon trade on the
Chesapeake and Ohio canal, or that por-
ton Of Virginia within the limits of this
military district will be maintained, ex-
cept as to liquor and articles contraband
of war
NO permit will be required from the
military authorities to engage in fishing
in the waters of the Potomac and Deco
guam within the limits Of this command"
The idea of running sightseeing stages
to battlefields Of the civil war while the
ground was still strewn
Battlefield with numerous relics of the
Stages. of today rather odd,v Yet
this was DONE as the following announce
ment in The Star Of April 4, 1862, dis
closes:
Stages leave Hilbon's cigar store Gust