Great demonstrations made throughout the day, and hundreds of
secession flags are flying in all parts of the city. At night, while sitting
with Captain O. Jennings Wise in the editorial room of the Enquirer, I
learned from the Northern exchange papers, which still came to hand, that my
office in Philadelphia, “The Southern Monitor” had been sacked by the
mob. It was said ten thousand had visited my office, displaying a rope with
which to hang me. Finding their victim had escaped, they vented their fury in
sacking the place. I have not ascertained the extent of the injury done; but if
they injured the building, it belonged to H. B., a rich Republican. They tore
down the signs (it was a corner house east of the Exchange), and split them up,
putting the splinters in their hats, and wearing them as trophies. They next
visited the mansion of Gen. P., who had made his fortune dealing in cotton, and
had been a bold Northern champion of Southern rights. But the general flinched
on this trying occasion. He displayed the stars and stripes, and pledged “the
boys” to lead them in battle against the secessionists.
During the evening, a procession with banners and
torch-lights came up the street and paused before the Enquirer office.
They called for Captain Wise, and I accompanied him to the iron balcony, where
he made them a soul-stirring speech. At its conclusion, he seized me by the arm
and introduced me to the crowd. He informed them of the recent proceedings in
Philadelphia, etc., and then ceased speaking, leaving me to tell my own story
to the listening multitude. That was not my fault; I had never attempted to
make a public speech in my life; and I felt that I was in a predicament. Wise
knew it, and enjoyed my embarrassment. I contrived, however, to say to the
people that the time for speaking had gone by, and there was no time left for
listening. They proceeded up the street, growing like a snow-ball as they
rolled onward. At every corner there were cheers uttered for Davis, and groans
for Lincoln.
Upon returning to my boarding-house (the hotel being found
too expensive), kept by Mrs. Samuels, and her sister, Miss Long, I found the
ladies making secession flags. Indeed, the ladies everywhere seem imbued with
the spirit of patriotism, and never fail to exert their influence in behalf of Southern
independence.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's
Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 1, p.18-9
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