St. Mary's Beacon

The Federal Visit Again.

A day or two ago, the Yankee, Reliance and Freeborn were ordered to Leonardtown, to search for concealed field pieces and other army stores. They proceeded thither, landed a force of sixty men, including twelve marines from the Pocahontas, and made a search of the courthouse and a few other buildings, but found nothing save a quantity of cartridge boxes and belts, showing that the secessionists are watching the opportunity to make a strike. It is confidently believed that there were four field pieces concealed in or near the town; but the search was confined mainly to a few of the principal buildings. Leonardtown is a rank secession hole, and should be closely watched. A man mounted on a horse rode up in front of the court-house whilst troops were searching and gave three loud cheers for Jeff. Davis.

The Washington Star, which since acquired an uneviable notoriety both for mendacity and venality, has, in its issue of Friday last, the above account of the late Federal visit to our village. Not satisfied with a shameless exaggeration of every act connected with the expedition, and not content with an attempt at magnifying the importance of the discovery of a few cartridge boxes and belts, in its anxiety to render the Government a service, it states, with grave modesty and much semblance of truth, that, 'Leonard Town is a rank secession hole' and that, the 'Secessionists' here 'are waiting an opportunity to make a strike.' The editor of the Star is also inclined to the opinion that, there were four field pieces 'concealed in or near our town;' is quite sure that, the Court House and a few other buildings were searched;' and, is very positive that, 'a man mounted on a horse rode up in front of the Court House and gave three loud cheers for Jeff. Davis.' Now, we propose to give a full and correct statement of the facts connected with the affair, that, our readers may see that, the editor of the Star--who could be a Buchanan democrat just so long as the Federal patronage was at his disposal, and, who became a Lincolnite just so soon as that functionary reached the White House--is not only one of the weather-cock breed, but has likewise some of the properties of the blood-hound in his composition. As an evidence that he possesses the qualities of the latter, in a high degree, we have but to cite his keenness of scent in discovering our 'contraband,' and his bloodthirsty attempt to make us a mark for Federal vengeance.

We first knew the editor of the Star, politically, as an ardent, though lame, speechifier in the cause of Breckinridge. But a year ago we heard him from the speaker's stand in Baltimore, and, well remember his inarticulate, though profuse, abuse of Douglas, and his open and violent denunciation of Lincoln. Six months had not transpired ere we found him a proselyte to Republicanism; and, we now find him the zealous and noisy advocate of an oppressive and blood-stained administration. To retain the Government patronage, it was necessary that, he should advocate the election of Breckinridge and the same reason obtains for his sudden and radical conversion. These acts considered, would it not be well for the Government to keep an eye upon the back-sliding proclivities of our caluminator whilst following his recommendation--'to keep a close watch upon our people?'

As stated in our last issue, the Freeborn, Yankee and Reliance visited our Bay and landed about fifty men, under the command of Lieut. Wyman. This officer, upon reaching our town, enquired for the Sheriff, and, upon being informed of his absence, next asked for a magistrate. A magistrate being found, Lieut. Wyman stated that, the object of his mission was to search for and seize two pieces of cannon and a lot of muskets which, he had been informed, were concealed here; and that, he wished to proceed legally and formally in the prosecution of the search. He, then, showed his authority to the Magistrate and State's Attorney of the county, and was informed by them that they had no knowledge of the existence of either cannon or muskets in the village or county, other than some rifles in the hands of the members of a regularly organized company--the most of whom resided in the country--which had been armed and officered by the State of Maryland. Lieut. Wyman, accompanied by the Clerk to the County Commissioners, then searched the Court House and premises, but no private or 'other buildings' as stated by the Star. The cartridge boxes and straps found were the property of the State and had been deposited in the Court House--where they were found--by order of the Captain of the company in question. Lieut. Wyman, when assured by the commanding officer of the company and other citizens of our town, that, the arms held by the company would not be used except for purposes of self-protection, and to guard against domestic troubles, declined to make further search and ordered prompt restoration of the cartridge boxes and belts. We here take occasion to again state that, there are no Cannon in this town or county: and that, the editor of the Star's informant--if, indeed, he has information other than the suspicions of a mind conscious of its own infirmities--has perpetrated a slander and a falsehood, with a design, no doubt, to bring trouble upon our people. The only cheering for Jeff. Davis that reached our ears, came from a young man who resides in a distant part of our county, and who was evidently at the time under the influence of the 'ardent.' We claim, however, the right to cheer, talk and even vote for whom we please, and we defy Mr. Lincoln, even when aided by the right arm of the editor of the Star, to deprive us of this privilege.

He may search our houses, destroy property, imprison our citizens and trample every other right to which, under the Constitution, we may be entitled; but should he dare to invade the right of free speech, Mr. Lincoln will find that there are certain stages of tyranny to which a people, however much disposed to be loyal, will not submit.