THE BANNER.
[WEEKLY.]
Vol. III. Abbeville C. H., S. C, August 12, 1846. No. 24.
Published every Wednesday Morning, by !
ALLEN ?fc KEllll.
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(for the banner.)
THE TENDENCY OF THE AGE
TO DEMOCRACY.
In contemplating the past history of
man?in studying the authors who were
contemporaneous with the different periods
of civilization, and then descending
to modern times and making a comparison,
we are forcibly struck with the continually
onward and upward march of
civilization. How bright, how captivating,
and how glorious the fact, that the
world is continually progressing, and
that, amidst all the changes and tur
moil of the world, society never suffers
a retrogression. Victory, victory marks
the campaign of genius?the war of
mind, of morals, and of intellect. Both
reason and history establish the truth of
the perpetual expansion?youth and ad
vancement of the^hunian race : indeed
it seems the favorite theme of prophetic
inspiration?the burthen of the old dispensation
and the giory of the new.
With how much wonder and astonishment?with
how much pleasure
1 i . r . i M i__. l _
anu ana sausiacuon, anu wun vvnai glorious
and sublime emotions do we contemplate
the rapid, the luxuriant growth
of science, philosophy, and religion?
those gieat agents in the work of civili- ,
zation, and the consequent wonderful
intellectual and moral progresss of the i
world. But if civilization advance with .
the same rapid strides which have mar- 1
ked its onward progress for the last quarter
of a century, what will be the changes
both social and political, ultimately
effected on our globe ? Where is the
nerve strong enough to contemplate
them! Where is the mind comprehensive
enough to grasp the subjecl 1 and
who can look into the future without
dizziness? May we not hope without being
too sanguine?that the dawn of that
age is not far in the future, when the blessings
of knowledge, liberty and happiness,
will be enjoyed in nearly equal degrees,
by all classes of men, when the
combined influence of science, philoso
pny, religion, ana 01 iree governmeni,
will have fitted and prepared the downtroden
of every nation, for the enjoyment
of the fullest and broadest liberty of
thought and action?when the entire
world shall be enfranchised?when Christianity
shall spread abroad its wings over
the earth and embosom the whole human
race within the ample grasp of one
harmonious and universal family; and
when " men shall beat their swords into
%n1 /mi/vVi oVt nvno o r?rl Vi 01 r crtDOfO intA
jiiuu^u'onui voj auu invji o^vuio j?iiv
pruning-hooks, and nation shall not lift
up sword against nation, neither shall
they learn the art of war any more."
The ultimate position and power of
these United States, since the adoption
of our federal constitutional government,
has been a problem both with philosophers
and political economist. Two of
the strong exciting causes to this speonaniilatinn
ara firet . tn r1icr?r?V#?r I
VI J|iWVU?l4klVII UIV'J ItkUb fcvy v?iwwv* wa i
the effect of the freest institutions mankind
have ever adopted,on the happiness
?nd prosperity of the people, under their
influence; and second, to mark the influence
which the example.of a great republican
government, prosperous and
happy at home; influential and powerful
abroad, exerts over the political de
stinies of the world. Although near i
two thirds of a century has failed to solve
these problems, beyond a contingency,
yet it has furnished us with some great
foreshadowings of the ultimate result.
Those especially which relate to physical
growth and power may be regarded
as leading to certainty of result 1
From the time the ancestors of the
Anglo-American, people plonted the tree
gf democratic liberty, which struk its
'roots deep in thU great continent, and
proclaimed ?o the oppressed and ensia*
V''
ved people of the old world the rights of ]
man. The continent of Europe?the i
whole of Christendom?the world itself, t
has never ceased to be agitated and con- t
vulsed under the operation of two great c
antagonistic principles of government? c
the republican on the one hand, and the e
monarchical on the other. The inde- c
pendent nations of this continent, and a
with the fondest pride I behold these p
United States at the head of the list?are f
the glory of the age. The example of 1
free America; the general diffusion of r
bnnvulp/lfro nnrl tlio <rron f cnrno/1 V
.k.ivtf U1IU gftOCAI. Cj/l^UU Ui I.
Christianity, are exerting as well a sepa- ?
rate as a combined influence upon man- I
kind, which is discovering to them, both singly
and collectively their natural I
rights and true power. Although civi- t
lization is still in its infancy, it is per- r
ceptible that the people, taken individu- T
all}*, are more intelligent, more wise, r.
and more virtuous than in any previous t
age. In Europe, as well as in Aineri- t
ca, the masses begin to realize their true r
position and power. Every man begins e
to 'eel that he is an individual?a com- 1
plete man?a law unto himself. De- t
mocracy is bcgining to be the doctrine j
of all parties, political, social, and reli- I
gious. They begin to see the force of I
the adverse language, held by the mo- c
rlern state, when compared with the ancient.
" Man," say the ancient societies, t
"was made for the state, now the state is f
fVk** fVin ?Y? *"> r* AVftrtfl llm~) f lin ?
uiauv iui iiiu iiiau. Tf unuci iuo ;j
ancient state, literature, science, art? v
nay,religion itsef,\vere encouraged,only a
as the}' subserved the purposes of a few, a
and strengthened their control over the t
many.?Now they are encouraged, and ^
only so far as they tend to ameliorate
1 _ -I . T, . . f I
ana improve me conuuion 01 universal
humanity. It requires no very great
political forecast to perceive that the future
is fraught with mighty events; that
a great and important crisis in the desti- r
ny of the human race, and civilized go- ^
vernment is rapidly advancing; and *
that ere ionff. some towering revolution- .
ary wave, will sweep over the field of t
this world's politics, tearing down
thrones in its course, and sweeping dinasties
from the face of the earth. Does
not nature teach us, that a single spark
of pure enlightened democratic liberty is
rr* * _ _ l l. _ i _ _ - 1
sumcieni 10 expioue a wnoie aimospnere J
of foul European despotism I *
Whilst the unfettered pulsations of f
the bounding heart of America, are sha- t
king to its centre the foundations of ar- 1
bitrary power, causing monarchs to "
tremble on their thrones ; the advocates j
of these bolstered establishments, are t
uvur vigiiiem in iiieir eriueuvors 10 cuun- <
teract and disparage democracy, by casting
approbium upon free governmet.
To be convinced of this, and of the jealousy
with which we regarded, we have
only to read the emanations of the whole a
British press for the last few years. If ^
we review past history, some half cen- *
tury ago, we behold on one hand, the
French nation advocating the cause of c
popular liberty?discoursing on fhe so- *
vereignty of the people, and slrongly 1
questioning " the divine right," and on }
the other, we behold kings on their ,
thrones, and ministers in their palaces, ?
seized with a general consternation at 5
the enormity, and all Europe rising up in *
arms, as one nation, and putting la Jeune ,
France in Coventry for her democracy '
" The extinction of the revolutionary 1
principles of the French Republic," says '
the faithful historian, " the stopage of the j
doctrine that national sovereignty re? j
sides in the people, by which the French i
i 11 11 . i
democracy was snaiung an tne tnrones, <
and endangering alt the institutions and 1
liberties of Europe, was the real cause of
the war." \
The position of the different powers of ]
Kurope, as well as America, is truly
gratifying to the political reformer, and
o all true philanthopists. If \vc regard
"or a moment the position of the monar:hies
of Europe, it bccomes evident that
lemocracy, even there, is gaining the
iscendant. We perceive that in most
>f the countries of Europe the real rulers
ire men sprung from the body of the
jeople, who have carved out their own
ortunes, and by force of talent alone,
lave raised themselves to distinction.
The destinies of England have for years
>een wielded by the great commoner.
sir Robert 1jeel, the son of a mechanic.
VI. Guizot. a man of humble extraction
?a man of yesterday, holds the " baance"
of the destinies of the French naion.
The peace of the Austrian domilions
seems to hang on the very life of
Heternicii, another man of the people,
rhus we see, that whilst old and enlighened,
and self-satisfied Europe, is aflecing
a disdain for young Amcrica, having
nore of jealousy in it than any thing
?Ise, their crowned heads arc competed,
through their inability to manage
Umi* In eft lo/?f
11UU I Vt K\J CU1ULI U1CI1
>roxies, not from among the nobility,
>ut from among the people, a tacit accnowledgement
of the superiority of the
lemocratic system.
In conclusion, what are* we to say of
he result of all this? Why, that the
? 1 * /I _ t A .1
inai great connici oeuveen inosc iwo
idverse principles of government, to
vhich we have alluded. is near at hand;
md thtjt monarchy will soon read, over
igainst the world's great candlestick, on
ne fermament of heaven the the handvriting
" Mcne, men?, Tchel, Upharsin
Democrat.
Cokcsbury. July 4, 184G.
From the Matamoras Flag.
M O N T E R EY.
As the army of occupation has comnenced
its advance upon the interior of
Mexico, by pursuing the Rio Grande
ip as high as Camargo, both by land
ind water, and as this will be the place
irKnra o normononf Anr>At umII Iid Dcto.
VUVftV U |^UlillUIIV>llV UV|IVk ?f Ilk w vuiu
dished. and from which the advancing
irmy will leave the Rio Grande when
t takes up its general march upon Monerey,
it will naturally hold a conspicu>us
place in the estimation of the Ame ican
people. Camargo is situated imnediately
upon the banks of the San
ruan river, three miles from its junction
vilh the llio Grande. It is a small,
udely constructed village, with sonic
ew stone buildings many built of mud
oin fV\n ciin OAmh
;i I^I\CJ UII\JU HI viiu ouuj cuiuu uuiiovtuu'
cd by driving stakes into the ground,
md then plastering them with mud, and
ithers formed of cane and plastered in
ike manner. The number of inhabi
ants will not exceed two thousand but
is the Mexican government has never
bought her population worthy of cnuneration,
no positive statement can be
nade of the population of any of her
owns. The late extraordinarv rise of
he Rio Grande has causcd the San Jutn
to back up and literally inundate
Uamargo, to the great damage of houses
tnd other property; also to the sacrifice
>f several lives.
Camargo may be considered the head
>f navigation, as above here the bed of
he river is so filled up with rocks that
* _ _ V l
is navigation nigner up nas never Deen
ittempted. The road upon leaving Cauargo
and crossing the San Juan, be:omes
higher, and less obstructed by
jwampy grounds, and it then becomes
in important inquiry what other obsta:les
may present themselves in the distance
between this place and Monterey,
which is two hundred and ten miles.
The road passes through a level country,
thickly set with a small underwood, the
lAV/VAof * V* n * Uai aUam.. mm. ?- J *1
iuigcoi uiiiuci ucmg cuuny unu nit? musjuito,
neither of which grow to the
height of 12 or 15 feet, and 12 to 14
inches in diameter. So dense is this
undergrowth, armies of 10,000 men
Bach migh march for half a day within
.f t. - ? ...
a. mne 01 eacn oioer, wunoutttie vicinity
of the one to the other being known.
The literal meaning of Montery is
the King's Woods, but to those who
have been raised in a heavily timbered
r
country, it would seem more appropriate
to call it a grove of brush. It is a
common saying with Texans who have
travelled through this forest, that " its so
d?d thick you can't shove a bowie
knife into it." And what may appear
somewhat singular, every bush and
shrub is armed with thorns, curved in
the shape of fish hooks, and the hold
they take upon the clothes and skin of
travellers is not easily shaken oflj as the
packets of the soldiery will testily to before
they reach Monterey.
The whole distance is well watered I
from August until March, plenty of
wood, reasonable pasture, many herds of
cattle, numerous flocks of shcop and
goats, now and then a small village?
which all have the appcavance of decay.
Scattered along the road miserable huts,
singularly picturesque from their original
construc ion, not quite equal to rail
pen stables, puilt in the backwoods of
Arkansas and Texas for scrab ponies.
Yet, nature in her mighty formations,
has formed some positions on this road,
which if taken advantage of, would
a second Thermopylae to those who
might have the temerily to tread these
lormidable passes. The American army
will no doubt look ahead before entering
these dangerous and shady pavilions.
The mazes of the labyrinth are
beautifully pictured out by meandering
paths and conflicting cross roads, leading
to some farmers hut, some watering
nlafiP- nr tV>? ivilv lnro nf eAmn Maw
Q J j ? - ?? mmj VI OV/UlO XTlt?A"
ican bandit.
When in fifteen leagues of Monterey
the village of Caiderete presents itself,
enjoying the mostly lovely situation,
standing upon a perfectly level plain,
surrounded with green groves, presenting
everlasting summer; the fields
blessed with natural fertility. The beholder
involuntarily exclaims: why
should a Mexican toil or labor?
Tfr lO viAf ?r*/l?cr\nr?onV.lrt *1"*
? ?. jo iiw iiiuidifcunuuin tiiiii. tilt" iin.ijy
should pass through Caiderete, as there
are other roads by which Monterey can
be approached, but we mention this
route as supplies can be obtained in Caiderete,
and the direction is nearest a
straight line. Immediately upon leaving
this place you enter again those shady,
winding pavilions, and continue in them
until within sight of Monterey. Many
little stream."? and rivnWfi intnrefnt thr?
road, and some muddy lanes, which at
times become impassable, so that the
army will be fortunate if able to proceed
in files of six deep ; but, as the near vicinity
of Monterey is somewhat opened,
owing to the many fields, a small digression
might be made to the right, and intersect
the road that comes from the
mouth of el Canon fit Salinas, it being
the most open road of the two. The
creck that washes the south cast side of
Montornv rnns lint won flinso twn mnrla
_ T J
the fields forming a border on either side.
The road that leads from Caiderete,
when within a mile of Monterey, has
the appearance of a village, the the houses
being so numerous. Passing
through this seeming village, and arriing
upon the bank of the creek, you have
Monterey in view on the opposite side,
presenting a very handsome appearance.
The city is regularly laid out, the streets,
avenues and squares are shaded with
numerous fruit and other trees, and the
houses generally exhibiting much taste
and regularity to their construction.
The city is well watered, and every
thing about it strikes the beholder as
grand and beautiful A passing view
of the city would convey the idea of a
large population, but a close inspection
will show its large, castle like edifices,
sometimes occupying a whole square,
oKnlfoi'inr* kill ? ? * ?
Oiiuitviuig isui. 11IC I1ICI11UCI 5 illlll SUI Vitllis
of a single family; therefore from observation,
we should not give the city a population
of more than 6000 souls, and
it is doubtful whether it is even so great.
Cast the eye beyond Monterey, and
the sublime presents itself in lofty, upreared
pyramids of adamantine stone,
tinged with a crimson red. where the
w " " 7
creeping vine cannot be found, and
where the cedar and pine,?children of
the Alpine heights,?have never dared
to rear their heads?the sides and summits
of these vast mountains presenting
nothing to view but the bare and glistening
stone ; but in whose bosom lie con
ceaiea saining oeas 01 purest silver, and
sparkling veins of virgin gold.
In the midway distance, rises numerous
table mounds, commanding the
town and all the entrances from the
Advertisement*
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ant! 37? cents for each continuance?
longer ones charged in proportion. Those
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marked upon them, will be continued
until ordered out, and charged accordingly*
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OCT" All letters or communications must
be directed to the Editor, postage paid.
north-east. Upon one of these commanding
positions, the devoted people
endeavored to raise a temple or dwelling
for their bishop, but their zeal was
greater than their means, and the structure
remains unfinished. If the Mexi'
Pans poll 111 Wit r?r? fKo /lna?U /Iftolinrw
V..V* II IIIIWVUIIU lllVy ucaiu U^Ulillg
havoc of an American charge, here
might they plant the colors of their unfortunate
country, and reap some of the
laurels awarded to T,eonidas, or perhaps
faintly portray in miniature the dazzling
chivalry of those devoted heroes who
fell battling upon the ramparts of the
ever-to-be remembered Alamo.
The main road passes through the
principal street of the city from north to
south, and as you leave the last houses,
the road begins to ascend, and passes
along at the foot of many of those table
mounds. The river runs upon the east
side of the town, the houses extending
down to its very margin. Upon the
west side, rise perpendicular mountains,
one mile in height.
From the Charleston Courier.
LETTER FROM GOV. BUTLER.
Washington City, July 25, 1856. /f 4
Brother Officers and Fellow Soldiers:
Whilst absent from home, (and my
native State will always inspire feelings
associated with that endearing- word,)
and when I could not have hoped for
such a compliment, you have been
pleased to confer on me the highest distinction
of my life. In electing me to
the command of the Regiment of South
Carolina Volunteers, raised under the
late requisition of the President of the U.
S., you have manifested a confidence, of
all others, the most gratifying to my feelings.
You are willing to trust me as
your commander amidst the periis of
war. I will not, in words, attempt to
express my gratitude; you can appreciate
my feelings. I have many inducements
to enter into pursuits of more
immediate pecuniary interest, but I
would be a traitor to my feelings, if I
were to hesitate in accepting the office
that you have conferred upon me.
I have officially announced my acceptance
of it to the Governor of South
Carolina. Let us make no promises.
As officers and soldiers, we shall occupy
different relations from what we did
when we were fellow-citizens, and shall
have different duties to perform. I feel
confident that the defects of the officer
will be supplied by the gallantry of his
men. Let us realize that we are called
on to do our duty to our common country,
under a banner whose stars and
stripes will indicate its power ; and let
us not forget, on any occasion, that we
are bound to uphold the ancient honor
of our own State. Our duty as soldiers
will require us to sustain the one, and
our pride and love of reputation, will inspire
us with resolution to maintain the
other.
I have the honor to bo, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
P. M. BUTLER.
To l/ic Officers aiul Soldiers of the
So. Ca. R eglmcnt of Volunteers:
P. S.?Whilst I am in Washington,
I will confer with the President and Secretary
of War, as to the probable time
that the Regiment may be called into
service, and- will take such measures
as the occasion may require. P.M.B.
" I can't" has ruined many a
man?has been the tomb of bright
p.vnpr'tnfinn nnfl nrflonf hnnfi.
Let " I will try" be your motto in
vvhatevor you nndertake, and, if
you press onward, you will steadily
and surely accomplish your object,
and come oft' victorious. Try,
keep trying, if you would prosper
in the world.
A bashful wooer, not long since,
wishing to pop the question, did it
in the following singular, manner:
?Taking up the .young lady's cat,
he said, " Pussy, may I have your
mistress ?" It was. answered by
the lady, who said,u Say yes, pussy."
_ Honorary*?The^ degree of D.
D. was, pqmeerrea on the Kev.
William M. Wightman, editor of
the Southern Christian Advocate*
and the Rev. Edmond W. Schon,
of Cincinati, at the late commencement
at Randolph MaconCollege,