[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 104 (Wednesday, July 29, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9273-S9274]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            250th ANNIVERSARY OF FREDERICK COUNTY, MARYLAND

 Mr. SARBANES. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 
250th anniversary of Frederick County, Maryland. Throughout Maryland's 
glorious history, Frederick County and her sons and daughters have 
played a critical role in our State's quest for freedom and progress. 
From the very founding of our nation, Frederick Countians have proudly 
and resolutely upheld the principles and beliefs which are the basis of 
our democratic system of self government.
  This strong commitment to freedom was evident among the English and 
German immigrants who first settled in Frederick County. They were 
extremely appreciative of the freedoms they found in this ``New World'' 
and zealous in their dedication to protecting them. One such individual 
was Francis Scott Key, the lawyer and poet who, watching the 
bombardment of Ft. McHenry from a British cartel ship off Sparrow's 
Point in Baltimore's harbor, penned the words that subsequently became 
memorialized as our National Anthem.
  What many may not know is that the eloquent author of the Star 
Spangled Banner was born in Frederick City, which celebrated its own 
250th birthday in 1995. Francis Scott Key was detained on the British 
ship in 1814 while attempting to secure the release of Dr. William 
Beanes of Upper Marlboro who had been arrested. In the early morning of 
September 14, 1814, during the Battle of Baltimore, Key, overcome with 
pride from his unique vantage point, wrote the words that captured the 
essence of our national struggle for independence.
  Frederick County is also the seat of some of our State's most 
tumultuous historic incidents. When the British passed the Stamp Act in 
1785 requiring colonists to purchase stamps for all legal and 
commercial documents, twelve Frederick County judges resolved to reject 
the Stamp Act, and approved the use of unstamped documents. This bold 
maneuver is believed to be the first recorded act of rebellion in the 
colonies.
  It was in Frederick County that the Maryland legislature held the 
momentous vote on secession. The vote was held in this venue in 
response to a personal request from President Lincoln in the hope that 
Marylanders from the southern part of the State would not be able to 
attend, therefore guaranteeing that Maryland remain in the Union. 
Although the strategy was successful, the narrow vote sent 
reverberations throughout the State and there were skirmishes at towns 
along the Potomac. While the resulting Confederate occupation of parts 
of Frederick County was relatively peaceful, this event was the 
immediate precursor to the Battle of Antietam, the bloodiest day of 
fighting in any American war.
  A local anecdote, which serves as a testament to the tremendous 
dedication of these citizens, claims that on

[[Page S9274]]

the day that General Jackson's troops were marching out of Frederick to 
Antietam, a Union flag was seen hanging from the home of Barbara 
Fritchie, a 95 year old widow known for her spirited nature, who risked 
injury and death by hanging from her window after shots were fired, 
flag in hand, shouting, ``Shoot, if you must, this old gray head, but 
spare your country's flag.''
  Another significant event has its beginnings here, as it was from the 
City of Frederick that Lewis and Clark launched their exploration of 
the American West. In July, 1803, these two explorers set out from the 
Hessian Barracks in Frederick Town into uncharted territories. These 
events further illustrate Frederick County's position at the symbolic 
crossroads of history, and it is here that we find Maryland's true 
roots firmly in place. Frederick County is at a literal crossroads as 
well due to the construction of the B&O Railroad in the early 1800's 
and the location of the C&O canal. These two modes of transportation 
opened up major corridors from and to the east, laying the groundwork 
for a tradition of jobs, industry and trade.
  From this lasting spirit of community interdependence and unity comes 
many of Frederick's modern landmarks. Frederick County is home to Ft. 
Detrick, crucial to the creation of new jobs and economic development 
in the region, and to the National Fallen Firefighters memorial in 
Emmitsburg. In recent years, Frederick County has been a leader in 
developing new economic growth and opportunities for our State and has 
attracted innovative technology companies to its pleasant surroundings.
  The City of Frederick, the County Seat, is the second largest city in 
Maryland, yet it maintains its small town charm and sense of community 
that reflects the civil congeniality that has always defined Frederick, 
both in its rich history and its contemporary success. The contribution 
of Francis Scott Key to our nation has been complemented over the 
decades by other distinguished citizens of this county. Most recently, 
many of us in the Senate were privileged to count as a colleague the 
extremely distinguished Senator from Maryland and native son of 
Frederick, Charles Mac Mathias. The intellectual and personal integrity 
which Senator Mathias brought to this body in service to the nation is 
exemplary of the spirit of his fellow Frederick Countians.
  The activities that have been planned in celebration of this 
auspicious anniversary exemplify the deep devotion of Frederick 
residents to their county. I join these citizens in sharing their pride 
in Frederick's past and their optimism for continued achievement. I 
urge my colleagues to visit this lovely location in the heart of 
Maryland and explore this renowned resource.

                          ____________________