It was arranged that Calhoun was to accompany Dr. Warrenton to Canada; but the Doctor warned him that on the cars they must be to each other as strangers.
“When we reach Detroit,” said the Doctor, “go to the Russell House, and register as from Chicago. Write Chicago ‘Chic.’ ”
“I think I will go through to Chicago this evening,” said Calhoun; “I should like to make some [pg 212]investigations there; you can meet me there Monday.”
So it was arranged, the Doctor giving him the names of half a dozen men in that city whom it might be well for him to see. “But mind,” said Warrenton, “do not tell any one of Morgan’s contemplated raid. That must be a secret.”
Calhoun spent two days in Chicago, and what he saw and learned there surprised him more than ever. Opposition to the Lincoln government was everywhere. The leading newspaper boldly demanded that the war be stopped, boastingly proclaimed that there would soon be “a fire in the rear” that would bring Lincoln to his senses. Resistance to the draft was openly talked on the streets. It was even hinted that there was a secret move on foot to liberate the prisoners at Camp Douglas and burn the city.
“This is proving interesting,” thought Calhoun; “the whole North seems to be a seething volcano, ready to burst forth into flames, yet something seems to smother the flames.”
Calhoun had an inkling of what smothered the flames when, representing himself as a young Englishman, he asked a Federal officer why the government permitted such open talk of treason.
The officer smiled as he answered: “It is better for them to talk than act. The government has its eye on them. As long as they only talk it lets them alone. The first overt act will be crushed with a heavy hand.”
Then Calhoun remembered what both Worley and Warrenton had told him; that government spies were in the order, and that they knew not whom to trust. Would the spies of the government find out who he was, and his mission? It was not a very comforting thought.