Camden commercial courier. (Camden, S.C.) 1837-1838, July 08, 1837, Image 2

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' ?i rock standing boldly out, and running j down, almost perpendicularly,an imWcrtse distance' to the valley. 1 was especting another monkish legend, and ray very heart thrilled when the monk told me that this was the , top of Abe hill on which Moses had sat "doling the battle of the Israelites and the A malekites, while Aaron and Hur supported his uplifted hands, un'til the aim went down upon the victoH?>us arms of his people. From the height: I could see, clearly and diotinctly, every part of the battle-ground, and the whole ale of Rephidim and tho mountains bevond : and Muses, while on this spot. * roust have been visible to the contending : armies from every part of the field on which they were engaged. I stand upon the very peak of Sinai?where Moses stood when he talked with the Almighty. Can it he, or is it a mere dream? Ca-n this naked rork have been the witness of that great interview between man and his Maker ? where amid thunder and lightning, and a fearful quaking of the mountain, the Almighty gave to his chosen people the precious tables of his law, those rules of infinite wisdom and goodness which to this day. best teach man his duty towards his Ciod, his neighbor, and himself? The scenes of many of the incidents recorded in the Bible are extremely uncertain. Historians and geographers place the garden of Eden, the paradise of our i first parents, in different parts of Asia : I and they do not agree upon the site of the | tower of Babel, the mountain of Ararat, and many of the most interesting places in the Holy Land; but of Sinai there is no doubt. This is the holy mountain; and. among all the stupendous works of Nature, not a place can be selected more fitted for the avliihitinn nf Almiirhtv nnwt>r. I hnve " B"V I _ " stood upon the summit of the giant Etna, and looked over the clouds floating beneath it; upon the bold scenery of Sicily, and the distant mountains of Calabrie ; upon the top of Vesuvius, and locked down upon the waves of Lava, and the ruined and half-recovered cities at its foot; but they are nothing compared with the terrific solitudes and bleak majesty of Sinai. An observing traveller has well called it "a perfect sea of desolation." Not a tree, or shrub, or blade of grass, is to be seen upon the bare anil rugged sides of innumerable mountains, heaving tueir naked summits to the skies, while the erurnbling masses of granite all around, arid the distant view of the Syrian desert, with i its boundless waste of sands, from the wildest nml must itre:?rv' the most terrific and desolate picture that imagination can eonceive. The level surface of the very top, or piniclc, is about sixteen fort square. At one end is a single rock, about twenty feet high, on which, as said the monk, the spirit of God descended, while in the crevice beneath, his favored servant received the tables of the law. There, on the same spot where they were given. I opened the sacred book in which those laws arc re. corded, and read them with a deeper foeling of devotion, as if 1 were standing nearer, and receiving thern more directly from the Deity himself. Providential F.scapk.?Yesterday afternoon, as a gentleman was driving along Chesnut-street, in a sulkey, he was thrown out when opposite the Treinont House, in consequence of the vehicle coming in contact with a cart. The gentleman fell upon the pitching at the moment an omnibus was passing, one wheel of which went directly over his throat. The byestanders thought he was killed, but wonderful to relate, he jumped up and seemed none ihe worse for the perilous situation anil pressure ho hail escaped from. From ttio Boston Mercantile Journal. It is well known that a very considerable portion of the inhabitants of China dwell in floating houses?or rather in boats, with large and convenient cabins ? where men, women and children may be seen in abundance, having no other homo, and gaining a slender livelihood bv some occupation that does not require a residence on terra flrma. In the neighborhood of Canton, many of the owners of j these moveablj dwellings, employ themselves in rearing ducks: and the sagacity which tlicseanimals exhibit is remarkable. Every morning they arc allowed to I leave their habitation, and indulge in their j acquatic amusements; and sometimes five or six hundred of those noisy creatures are seen sporting on the waters near one of these floating duck pens. They never _ a c? e -1 eiruv iut irom meir nomes?anil the sound . of a little tinkling bell seems to produce upon them a magical effect. The moment the first sound of the bell is heard, the ducks hasten towards their home with astonishing swiftness, and the commotion thus instantaneously produced in their ranks, is amusing enough, each one apparently anxious to outstrip his companions in the race?and such a scene of shoving, swimming, flying, and gabbling, is seldom seen among ducks in any other part of the world, than in China. This prompt obedience on the part of those stupid waterfowls, is the result of education ?and the means used,although exceedingly efficient, are very simple. The last dnck which reaches the boat, is invariably seized by the duck-master-general, and is compelled to undergo a severe druhhine, | with a bamboo cane?and the fear of rhis punishment, which they are exceedingly desirous to avoid, ensures the most per-1 feet order and obedience among these ani-I mats, which have been considered among i the most stupid of the feathered creation. This raode of managing ducks, is some-, A what* similar to .the just and humane expedient resorted to on board of some of the English ships of war, and for aught we know, American also, to induce the incn to hasten on deck with all possible despatch when all hands are called to quarters, or for any other purpose. A boatswain's mate is stationed at the hatchways, and those whoj happen, through negligence, indolence or accident, to be at the lag end, arc sure to get a severe "starting." Dangers.of moderate drinking.?Do not say that 1 exaggerate your exposure' to intemperance. Let no man say when J he thinks of a drunkard broken in health and spoiled in intellect, 44 I can never so fall." He thought as little of Tailing in ' his earlier years. The promise of his youth was as bright as yours; and even after he began his downward course, he was as unsuspicious as the1 firmest around him, and would have repelled as indignantly the admonition to beware of intemperance. The danger of this vice lies in its almost imperceptible approach. Few who fall by it, know of excesses. Youtli does no* Sec or suspect drunkenness in the spam.. v, bv-vcrage which quickens all its susceptibilities of joy. The invalid does not see in the cordial which his physician prescribes, and which gives new tones to his debilitated organs. The man of thought and genius detects no palsying poison in the draught which seems a spring of inspiration to intellect and imagination. The lover of social pleasure little dreams ! that the glass which ani nates conversation will ever he drutrk in solitude, and will sink him too low for the intercourse in which he now delights. Intemperance comes with noiseless step, and binds its first cords with a touch too light to he felt. This truth of mournful experience should be treasured up by us nil, and should influence the habits and arrangement of domestic and social life in every class of the community.?Dr. Channing. Cons mimical ions. toR THE CoUKIKR. 11 Behold. how Doctors Jisaijrep, And soundest Casuists, just like \ oil and me." Mr Edit<?r.?I observed in your "Courier" of the 24ih inst., "Crisis No. 1. by .1 Young Planter," whose remarks go conclusively to attribute the pressure in our tnonoy market, to the measures of oUr o\Vti government, blit seems to imply a willingness to stand corrected if lie is in error. This is gentlemanly. I am a plain illiterate man but hope like the " Young Planter," "that I will not be deemed arrogant" in offering a few remarks, as to my opinion on that subject. I agree with him that the pressure began first in England, and there is no doubt, as he says, "of the relation and affinity that exists between us ; hut I cannot concur with him "in assuming that the administration is responsible to the country for the present state of thing's," for the following reason's. And first of all, 1 know of no policy in this government to drcan the specie from Europe" nor lias it directly done so. except in that so justly cxcreised with Franco, and lor which 1 hope the Young Planter" is not prepared t ? censure; and as 10 the "specie being locked up in certain Pet Banks," and not used for the legitimate purposes of the Government under the acts appropriating it, i unqualifiedly deny. if ow is it "invested in the most unhallowed land speculations in the west?" hare assertions are neither triumphs or proofs. Has not the Administration done all that could be done, to prevent these "unhallowed speculations t" Was the specie tyrcular calculated to favor them? And how? That the Administiaiion has had in the remotest manner any thing to do with the "unhallowed speculations," demands proof, conviction and punishment; else unprejudiced minds will not believe one word of it. Again he says "now let us consider in addition to that, the destruction of the Bank of the United States, the removal of the Deposites, the Treasury order, requiring the payment of the Custom House Bonds and Post Office dues in specie; in j I act, the very agitation oi the delicate subject of the currency, the endless cant ' about Bank rags and the hard money system, has a tendency to impair confidence." Was hot the United States Bank an unconstitutional, aristocratical monopoly, in dimatrical opposition to the rights of the Slates and the very genius oT our free institutions? I hope the "Young Planter" will answer these questions, and shew us the constitutional right of any such monopoly. If he does not, I for one, on republican principles, will contend that its destruction was a genuine republican measure, and that it was not so delicate a subject" when our liberties were at stake under the influence of a moiiicd aristocracy. IV ! I -I - - - now uiu inai measure " impair conlidence" among our people, 1 would also like to know. As it respects the removal of the Depositcs, i cannot for the soul of me, understand why that should destroy confidence. It did not take one dollar out of the country, and it was an act regarding the rights of the States, whose people paid their own quota of the money. Then why should it destroy confidence, to disburse it from the .State Banks (Pet Pa . a) any more than if it had been disbursed by the Bauk of the United States? I would be proud to learn, where there was any reasonable difference. I think there are other strong reasons that could be assigned for the destruction of! confidence, if it is really destroyed. It has. been hay day with.us for several years past' a and our profession has kept pece with it.? g Cotton was selling at high prices, and wc con- { s ceived we were going on svvimingly. This a created a spirit for speculation and Banking ? to a dangerous extent. The Banks issued , a two, three, or pferhaps four tithes the atootint \ t that they could redeem with specie, which [ afforded a fucility for ruinous speculations; \ many planters and fanners anticipated great s prices for their cotton, and involved lhem-'c selves to the amount of two or three crops c yet to be grown; the Factors contending for ! i a monopoly in their business, advanced J | large amounts of paper money borrowed of j the Batiks, and credits were extended in eve- 1 i ry direction; down goes the prices of cotton I in Europe, like a thunder bolt, (the cause of < which I am at a loss to account for) and then I comes the tug. Many merchants having ' I purchased cotton largely, are consequenly i involved in ruin; the factors having advanced i larger sums to the planters than their whole | crops on hand would justify, were compelled I to stop payment at (he Banks; the Banks < aware of the critical situation, at once stop < issuing thf>ir bills, and affording the planters and factors mbre facilities at their Banks, and all are in a desperate dilemma: and to cap the climax of those difficulties, the spe- j cie circular, intended as a check on the ''unhallowed land speculations in the West," the ruinous flood of' Bank rags" into the Treasury, and unwarranted issues of more bills, compelled all the Banks, the United States Bank with the rest, to close their doors against redeeming their own bills with spe- 1 cie. Without any other cause, one would think, this was qtiite enough to destroy confidence Now, how in the name of soldiership and sence is the "Administration responsible to the country" for all this? Again the voung Plan;er says: "'/ill these measures together with the failure of the American importing merchants to remit specie to Europe as usual, forced the people of England and their Banks, to act on the defensive. and consequently when the Bank of England had to contract her discounts, the very fact ?f curtailing, had an immediate and sensible impression on the cotton market." Huw the "administration is responsible to the country" for the regulations the Bank and people of England may adopt, is to me unaccountable: every one has a right to do their business in their own way. Again, "when thev (the English) fail to receive from us ihe payment of our debts for the manufacurcd fabric, of course they could not susiain the high prices for the mat rial." We have the ''material," say cotton, and let them take it in payment. And a:ain, "there is at this m incut, as great a demand for cotton as ever:" then, for heaven's sake let them have it, as we still have a crnnrl float An Knrwt nnsl wnnlil lil.'o h\ niPPt this "great demand." Nay, nay, but we must send the specie first, and hire them to take the cotton afterwards. when it is in "such gieat demand." This puis me in mind of a cltil I I once saw, who wanted a wino-glrtss, and cried forit; his father thought the glass wOuhl he it] danger if the child got it, and offered it a d dlar to quiet it; but the child would not take the dollar until he got the glass first, but the father held on to the 1 glass until the child took the dollar and was < quiet. Just so we mu>t do with our cotton, and then pay balances in specie, of which there is said to be 75 or SO millions in the 1 country, and not one thiid of that amount is , locked upby thegovernmeftt in the pet Banks,' the remainder being just about enough to pay off what we have overtraded, and thereby take "the responsibility to the country" off the administration's shoulders!!! To be serious, "I really think that the honorable l\l r I t1 t^f.lhf.nn h.ia )i:i/l n? miwli unrl a little more hand in causing the distress abroad nrity in our country, than the adminis tvaxiim that is so "responsible io the country" for it. My reasons for thinking so, are simply ihese. The English are a cunhiug calculating people, and have long, and perhaps justly, inimical to our tariffs of protection, and have been long striving to break down our manufactories, by pressing in their fabrics at a heavy rate; but Mr. Calhoun's vote last winter, to sustuin a heavy tariff until the year 18-12, and a considerable tax afterwards, has given all their hopes a datnper. They little thought or expected, that the man,'who at one time, thought the tariff so onerous as to put South Carolina out of the Union with all the concomitant evils thereby resulting, rather than pay it, would vote for its eontinu- 1 ance up to 1842, when our constitution would warrant is repealed at any time, with- ' out making the "administration responsible to the cotfntry." AN OLD FARMER. j FOR TIIE COURIER. ' THE CRISIS?No. II. ft has llPPIl flffinitolv ,la/<orU!nn.l ll.nt WW.. 'J klllllCU IIIUI | the importations into the United States, I the fiscal year, 1836, exceeded the aggregate amount of our exports, sixty-one million* ol dollars. And when the balance of trade be against us, we regard it a selfevident proposition, that the balance of specie cannot be in our favor. How preposterous then the idea of attempting to retain the precious metals on this side of the Atlantic. The policy is absurd, and the measures adopted must prove totally unavailing; yes, it will go back in spile of the government. We already have frequent accounts of shi| ments to Eurooe. I ~ w I and not less than five millions have been remitted by our importing Merchants, since the pressure, and even the suspension of our Banks. 1 There is, perhaps, no subject in the , whole range of politiral economy more abstruse than the system of Banking and ' the currency. It is not to be comprchrn- 1 ded in all its bearings without more study , nd laborious research than the people [< enerally are disposed to devote to the ubject. Hence it seeins to be conlided ! ilmost exclusively to the disinterested, inancial management of our Statesmen? tnd it is only at times like the present, hat the people can be aroused to take a >ropcr interest in this vital question. iVhat public indignations then will be vilited upon those rulers, who have contacted us, so unexpectedly to the present' jatastrophe, under the specious, 44 cxpe- j i neiil'* of the 44 old humbug.** That the policy of the administration, have, in a rreat measure, brought about this alarm- { ng conjuncture, we have no doubt. And the people arc not to be duped by the declaration, that it was produced by overtrading and speculation, as maintained by the advocates of u metalic currency. We acknowledge the prevalence of a most j unbridled and dangerous spirit of enter-1 prize and speculation, but this I consider! rather a consequence, and not a primary \ or even collateral cause. . And the reader i can well imagine, what influence' the'forty , millions of dollars employed in specula-, tions in public lands in the West, may | I # . .i ! ? a. J I nave nan in losicring mis spirit, it ?avc i an impetus to this spirit of speculation, which caused every species of property, suddenly to assume an artificial value. ' And behold the effects of the reaction ; thousands who were in affluence are now I in poverty. Certain visionary the"RIstsi backed by the President in making war' upon the currency, arc uprooting the foundations of social order, and pr6slrating at one mighty blow, the living energies of the most prosperous nation on earth. This project of a metulic system in the United Slates, is based upon principles, subversive of our free institutions, and incompatible with an enlightened political economy. The scheme is impracticable. Let us here consider the vast trading capital of the United States, and the probable proportion, that the specie in our Hanks would bear to that capital. And suppose ibis immense capital was brduglit down and restricted to our circulation in specie, would any one require a Prophet to foretel a mighty revulsion. We think not. And whenever that principle of a metalic currency is efficiently applied to our system, desolation and misery will overspread the land. This trading capital afloat, is founded upon civi lization and integrity, and is sustained by confidence?it .wives j employment,facilitates business,and there- j by conduces to the general happiness of mankind. Col. Benton's proposed cur-! rency is unworthy of the age in which we hvc. Amidst a blaze of political light, we arc in darkness. 'May common sense revive again and predominate, that the honor and integrity of the country may be preserved. A YOUNG PLANTER. ? na?wnii ,tn m _- ? ^? <?omwcrcfnl Gottrfer. C A M D K N, S. C. JULY 8, 1837 1 Several Communications intended for j ,1.! 1 1 ? *iii v iins iiumoer, nave neon tinavoiaauiy crowd- i id out. Tliry shall have a place in our next. 1 Josf.en Doby, Esq., was, on Tuesday last elected to deliver the next fourth of July Oration. We have understood that the match race between Col. Hampton and Johnson for 10,000 Dollars will be run at this place on the day previous tt> the next regular Races. Experienced sportsmen who have visited our course, speak of it as one of the best in the Union. William Kennedy, Esq., was on Saturday last, elected Captain of Beat Company No. 1. We would be glad to sec at each election for officers of our Beat Companies, the same determination evinced to place the command in the hands of competent individuals. A North Carolina paper informs us of the death of the venerable Nathaniel Macon. We are happy to learn that Col. James Ciiesnijt. ir. has bee n Iirevnilnd nnnn tit I r.~ -r furnish ijs a copy of his Oration for publication. Errata.?I the second column third line of "Asure Demons" (by a Lady) in our last paper, for mad, read markf.A. We regret the mistake 'which destroyed the sense of our fair correspondent's quotation as we feel indebted for her interesting communication, and Will ever he proud to grace our columns with her effusions. We hope they will be repeated. Monsieur Cliabert the great Eire King, who withstood the effects of live coal and boiling lead, has at last been consumed by the influence of i.ove, which seems to ] have melted the fair object of his adoration into "bone of bis bone and flesh of bis flesh." A nobleman set op pretentions to her hand rind person, relieied his disnp- ( pointmcnt and broken heart by a m.ite 4 pii.l, not compounded by the skillful Doc- ? tor, but administered to "his brain diseas- 1 sd" through the medium of his own pis- t tol, and the gallant and polished Doctor < Julian Xavier Chabert, King of Fire bo- i 7 / came King of Heart*/ We trust the oven of matrimony will-never prove too warm for the happy cjriiple. FOURTH OF rULY. We do not recollect for several years to have experienced so great a display of enl^ii^siasm as was manifested on this occasion. The day was ushered in by the firing of cannon and the ringing of bells, proclaiming the return of the birth day of a great and grateful people. At an early hour the carriages were seen rolling thro' our streets to the spot appointed for the presentation of a sword, to Col. JOHN C-HESNUT, late Captain of the Florida Volunteers; where, already were assembled, a very large concourse of the citizens of both the town and District; all anxious to behold the ceremony, and by their presence and applause, to consecrato the gift. At 10 o'clock the Florida Volunteers were escorted to the ground by Copt. IIolleyman's Company, under the inspiring influence of a full Martial Band. As soou as they arrived to the appointed place, tho congregated mass which had assembled* crowded tort)liftd?Col. John Chesnut ma king lus appearance at the same time at the entrance of the Court llousc. As soon as the bustle had subsided, Adjutant Murray approached, and in a very handsome manner prefaced the presentation with the following appropriate remarks. MAJOR MURRAY'S ADDRESS SIR,?I appear before you on this occasion, as the humble organ of the corps of Florida Volunteers, who, at th^ir country's call rallied under her banner with chivalric promptness, to protect beauty and innocence from the scalping knife of the ruthless savage. In selecting you their commander, they felt, Sir, that your military skill, patriotism and prudence would reflect honor not only on yourself and the Volunteers, but on your District and State. Their expectations were more than realized?and as a token of these sentiments, and to gratify the spontaneous burst o? feelings of our patriotic Fellow Solders : and as an inadequate tribute to your worth I am directed to present you a sword? and although 1 feel sensibly the honor conferred 011 me, as gratifying to my pride : I should have shrunk from the duty, if I was not conscious the expression of friendship and nflectien, needed not the 0111a ments of Speech to convey to you their deep sense and obligation, for the service you rendered us as an Officer, gentleman and friend. Soon after our return from Florida, n meeting of the Volunteers tvas held, and resolutions unanimously adopted, expressing their approbation of the patriotic and soldier-like conduct of the Officers during the Florida campaign. On that occasion All were so deeply sensible of the value of your services as Captain and friend, arising from your high, honorable and chivulric deportment as a Soldier and a gentleman, evinced, in your attentive, cool and deliberate bearing on all occasions: and more particularly, when danger threatened, they felt secure under your guidance, and was proud thai Kershaw district was so ably represented in the commanding Officer of lier Volunteer Sons. These sentiments express the esteem, applause and good will of all who shared with you the hardships,privations and dangers of llto campaign. At this meeting they all, with one consent determined to present you a Sword. Many'Obstacles prevented our oL? taining it ere this; and it is n source of joy, that time has not diminished their esteem and confidence in you. As a corps and as fellow citizens, they bid me tender to you their fervent wishes for your long life; that it may continue, exerted for the good of your country; that you may enlarge the respect and affectionate regard already so deservedly possessed throughout our District. And to assure you, whatever may be your destiny, you will always have the undoubted claims to the best feelings and wishes of the Florida Volunteers. I feel more than I can express; the pleasure and honor conferred on me, in presenting to you in their behalf, this Swoftp, which they feel confident, will ever prove ready in defending your country's glory?and with theso sentiments we hope you will accept it. As soon as the applause subsided, Col. Chesnut responded with his usual eloquence, as follows. COL. CIlrSNUTS REPLY. I receive, Sir, with profound gratitude, this valued Gift of a Gallant Corps. I feel most sensibly, in all its force, their generous friendship?and am well aware how much I owe to their kind partiality. I am grateful, too Sir that my destiny placed ine with those, hv whom error of judgement is so readily overlooked, and honesty of priciplc so liberally appreciated. The approbation of the enlightened and virtuous is the Freenyin's highest reward, with the patriot, next to the stern moral obligations of duty, it is the strongest incentive to a course of action honorable ind useful?with the soldier, it prompts to efforts the success of which give eharrctcr his profession, and honor to his country?That my efforts, feeble as they vere, have been deemed worthy of so