University of South Carolina Libraries
?- . v pf!i!W?^r 'jSgSlIWft&FW'. - - :-rr-^-.cr- ; - '? v_ - tssifev *? "- - :vk> *' *. . " " 'lv.' v ' ?'** s " -i ^ . ' *4 i * * a? .V i .. - fe'.. ' . - '. .. .; , M . * - v- ..* * v ' *> ., . .. :.'.i j 7, . ?? ''id-' ' g ' ~""** 11 1 - - ' III? ? J I'm 11 II ' 'I IP I II I ' mil in in i minim nil. I II I linn ? | e Jn&rprndctit Jpi ' j __ BIV0T1D TO UTBRATURS, THB ARTS, SCIINGS, AGRICULTURB, M1BWS, POLITICS, ?J., *Q. TERMS??ONE DOLLAR PER ANNUM,] "Lot it bo Instilled into the Hearts of your Children that the Liberty of the Press is the Palladium of all your Rights."?Junius. [PAYABLE IN ADVANCE* VOLUME 2?NO. 52. . ABBEVILLE C. II., SOUTII CAROLINA, FRIDAY MORNING, MAY 4, 1855. WHOLE NUMBER 104. MISCELLANY. _ AN address, Delivered before the South Carolina Institute, at Charleston, April 1*7, 1855,% Hon. James L. Our. Ladies and Gentlemen: This is an occasion of lively interest to the city of Charleston, as well as to the State of South Carolina. The commodious building we occupy has been erected by their united liberalityj and is now dedicated to developing the mechanic arts.- and tl>? <???#. i? ' industry of South Carolina. Its giant timbers groan beneath the weight of their combined production;*, brought and exhibited here as tangible proofs of superior skill in their varied departments?to contest the prizes offered by your liberality, and to stimulate still higher perfection in useful and ingenious labor. The mechanic is hero, the artisan is here, the manufacturer is here, and here is the farmer and planter, and here too are the fair daughters of Carolina, the noble matron, and tho blooming damBel?all are hereto tender you their offerings of industry, of skill, of artistic, taste. Their contributions not only charm the eye, but gladden the heart of all who feel a proper solicitude in the progress and permanent prosperity of our much cherished commonwealth. The founders of the Institute have achicv eu a iriumpti which concedes tlieir segacity and public spirit, and may justly congratulate themselves on tho eminent success of tlieir praiseworthy experiment, when they see around, arranged in faultless order, the various works, fabrics, and inventions, for supplying man's wants and ministering to his comforts. A new era has dawned on the productive energies and capabilities of South Carolina, and through the determined enterprise of her patriotic citizens, she will go hand in hand with the foremost, in this progressive advance in national development. May the sun of her prosperity never set. Agricultural Fairs for a long while have bcci'i no novelties in this country or in Europe, and the quality and quantity of its productions have doubtless been sensibly augmented by the knowledge imparted, and the spirit of rivalry awakened among Agriculturalists. Within the last thirty years, however, the initiative has been taken in the United States, of encouraging the mechanic arts, by the organization of Mechanic Institutc?, and adding to Hie exhibition and comparison of mechanic labor, lectures on such practical and scientific subjects, as educated the artisan and mechanic in his profession. Wherever the poliev has been ...i?i?.i <i... 1?- i 1 " me iu^uiw iitivt*uccn most gratifying in the social elevation and enlightenment of this numerous and useful class of society, and we may confidently assume that Charleston and the State will be most bounteously rewarded for their patronage of this Institute in the professional, social and intellectual elevation of the mechanic, nnd tho citizen in general. Great Britain at the World's Fair in London, has not only eclipsed all former exhibitions, but through her patronage of that Fair, has accomplished more in stimulating mechaic skill?in giving greater impetus to the inventive genius of her subjects, and in jqinarting thought and knowledge in the arts ana agriculture, than all the acts of her <V,I. !:?lf o /.??!<.? Her example was followed by this country, but with results f:ir less satisfactory. And yet the Crystal Palace at New York lias accomplished jjood. The paintings, statuary, and machinery, were visited by thousands; they were observed, studied, crit* cised,and many useful ideas were impressed on the elastic minds of our countrymen, which may in future be fully developed to the permanent advantage of tins great country. > An imposing exhibition, after the London model, is projected for this year at Paris, under the immediate patronage of the Emperor. It is not merely the pageant that prompts him. He Jias the sagacity to avail himself of tho occasion, to spread out before (lis subjects their own productions of artistic and mechanical skill, and the finest -specimens and models of ingenious work'manship in all the countries of tho civilized world. Will hot the 'generous rivalry inci'ted, and the information attained byhis&ub: . jects, amply reimburse tho small national outlay for its construction and inauguration ? Such facts prove the deep interest taken <by these three principal nations in fostering and promoting every variety of mechanical 'industry, and nearly all the goyernments of society as well as tHese, have manifested a like solicitude by cofnerring franchises on inventors, allowing them the exclusive use and monopoly of new inventions by letters patent for a series of years. Nor can their solicitude awaken surprise, when we consider 'the vast amount of labor employed, other 'thnn agriculturnV-in supplying the* natural and acquired wants of the human family. Dr. Ure, in his invaluable Dictionary of Arta, Manufactures and Mines, defines operative industry to be "to produce, transform, rand distribute, all such material objects as Are suited to satisfy the want* of mankind) ^he primary production of theae 'objeCU U .assigned to the husbandman, the fisherman, ?od the miner ; theirlrantforjnalien, to the fnnraCicturer and artisan, and their distri I or." Mechanical labor enters into mining, and is eminently useful to the husbandman and fisherman in production; its transformation employs exclusively that species of labor ; and its distribution, except the muscles and sinews of the sailor, and the winds of heaven, is lilccwi.se accomplished by the same labor. How important then is it to man, that such aggregation of necessary labor by one class, should be directed by education, facilitated by science, stimulated by exciting generous emulation among its members, fostered by wise legislation, and patronized and encouraged by the sympathy and kind offices of the good citizen? No service more acceptable to the State of South Carolina could have been rendered by her most sagacious and patriotic citizen, than the organization of this Institute, the object of which is to devclope a species of labor greatly needed throughout her limits. The meagre supply of mechanical industry is a serious impediment to our prosperity. We should possess it in such abun| dance as to have every want supplied in that department by mechanics residing among us, unless from some natural or adventitious cause, it can be more cheaply produced else where?and this distribution of labor is as necessary to advance agriculture as other branches of industry. Do we now possess it? Who can answer affirmatively? In 1850, the artisans and mechanics numbered 9,993, whilst all other occupations amounted to 58,550, showing that less than onesixth of our while population are engaged in tins extensive branch of industry, and if the labor of our slaves be taken into the estimate, it may safeley be assumed that less than one-fifteenth of all (he labor in the State is thus employed. In New York, the artisans and mechanics numbered 252,747, and all other occupations 035,933, giving nearly one-third of her population to the mechanic arts?and let it be borne in mind, that New York is a great agricultural State. In Maryland, there are 28,010 artists and mechanics, and all other employments number only 80,800, showing that iiniu ui iici viimio mmti JJU[mi!UIOIl are pursuing tbe mechanic arts. Tliere is another comparison which the late census suggests. Maryland's population is 683,034, whilst that of South Caroling is 668, 507. The improved lands in Maryland are 2,797,905 acres, in South Carolina 4,072,G51 acres; the unimproved lands in Maryland arc 1,836,445 acres, and South Carolina 12,145,049 acres ; and yet the remarkable fact is exhibited that the cash valuation of the improved lands in Maryland is greater than in South Carolina, although tbe quantity is less by nearly, one-half. The valuation in the former is $87,178,545, and in the latter $86,568,038. This indicates a high state of agricultural prosperity in Maryland, which may well be emulated. What is in the soil or agricultural productions mere, bo superior to South Carolina? There is a more judicious distribution of labor there, and her large city, Baltimore, has appreciated the value of lands by furnishing a ready cash market for agricultural products grown on lliein. It is the labor and enterprise of Baltimore mechanics that has swelled her area and wealth in a few years from a small town to a majestic city. In 1*790 the population of Baltimore was 13,503, and Charleston 10,359; in 1850 Baltimore had grown to 109,054, and Charleston to 42,985. At the period when this comparison commences, the exports of ' Charleston were more varied and valuable; the commerce she enjoyed more enriching; the interior country supporting her more fertile and extensive ; lier geographical position more favorable by reason of freedom from the competition of other cities t in nil these respect* Charleston had the advantage of Baltimore, Now their 'situations have changed, and Baltimore quadruples the population of our favorite city, and her commerce, tonnage, and prosperity have gone on increasing in the same wondrous' manner as her population. Why is it so ? Let a stranger; visit the two cities and he will assign you the reasons. He will first tell you that no great city cart be built up aimpfy by exporting great sta{>les; she must give employment to other abor and pursuits than to commission merchants. Sho must have her artisans and mechanics. He will see in Baltimore extensive ship yards enclosing her harbor, hundreds of ship carpenters actively employed in constructing new boats and vessels, ard jo repairing old ?nd crazy hulks, and perhaps whilst admiring the active industry of the scene around, lie will discover a vea?, sel sailing into port with ship lumber from Charleston. Baltimore ship wrnenters are to realize all the profits arisft^from Working the lumber. If a Charleston merchant desires to purchase a vessel for the foreign or coasting trade* fie sends to Baltiuioreand pays the *60t000/denmpd^d for it, when his owp city has received fui; every stick, of timber iu it, but #1 Q,600,' To \yhpso' Support aua gain uoeaifia (Utterance ot $4tf,OOUgaJ ' How many b!iip carpenters would be employed a whole year on snch a BUhj I^Wnat activity wouUl be infused in every branch of " busiae^'in^TOi^^Uy,if twenty BUcb'vettejB r wer| anniiafly, f^aetructed Jp ydifrfyvfh h&r'i, -2m*. barrier in your way. The season of your epidemic disease, should it return unfortunately every year, is shorter than the rigors of an inhospitable winter at Kittery, Portland, Boston or New York, when labor is almost entirely suspended bv the workmen. The lumber they use is taken from your I wharves. Why not put the labor on it before committing it to the strifes of ocean, and build up and enrich your own mechanics? The stranger will see in Baltimore thousands of mechanics at, their forges, furnaces and found lies, in their shot towers, marble and stone yards, shops, and machine shops. Nearly every square supports its tall chimney with black smoke issuing from the furnace of an engine driving machinery ntilcUn T-T?. 1? ..V ...? uiuv, liijil lllilllj MHUllV SIHVK3 WOIIK1 the stranger count in Charleston? How many engines, propelling machinery, would he be able to enumerate ? Was not the steam engine some years back a mala proliibita within the corporate limits of this city? How many carpenters at your ship yards, mechanics at your forges and foundries, and machinists at your work shop?, would he count? These hints furnish some of the prominent reasons why Baltimore has outstripped Charleston, and indicate means of speedily and permanently promoting her languishing prosperity. The demand for engines and locomotives is now imposing, and annually augmenting throughout the State. Engines are being extensively introduced for saw, merchant and grist mills, as well as for various descriptions of machines to save or facilitate labor. Eight hundred miles and more of Railroads traverse the State, and the locomotives used cost the companies not less annually than 8150,000. Have you machinists enough in Charleston to execute supplies for the demand from all sources? If you have not strive to obtain them. How vivifying and refreshing to every industrial interests' if the ?250,000, annually expended abroad for engines and locomotives,. could be retained at homo to pay home mechanics ? It is unnecessary that I should point out other branches of mechanical industry. ine examples given establish your greatest want; and until artisans and mechanics crowd your city, I fear that your hopes of a greatly enhanced prosperity are illusory. In many localities in the country the deficiency in the mechanic arts is even greater than here, and with a less sufficient excuse for delinquency. Town ami village property, taxes, rents and provisions are lower than in the city, and the climate is healthful and salubrious?exempt from all malignant epidemic maladies?and yet some of our villages can boast of no higher attainment in tho mechanic arts than the possession ^of a blacksmith, who can shoe a horse and lay a plow, or a house carpenter, who can jack plank artd saw lumber; and wlmt is tho result ? Tn traveisinrr the conn - C5 try-we too often sec huge piles of lumber thrown together witout regard to convcuience or comfort iu light or ventilation? without symmetry, and without consulting a einglo point of architectural taste or beauty, and tlic expense incurred by the builder equal to its const ruction and completion with neatness and even elegance. Unless some improvement is made in rural architecture, another order will be added to the existing list, which a cynic might denominate the "Carolina," as descriptive of the locality of its origin. The dwelling placcs of the dead manifest the same absence of taste, care and attention ats those of the living. ' A church yard is generally selected as the depository of the remains of the deceased. It is enclosed and is shrubbed out, until the plat covered over with graves ; then commences an unpitying . neglect?the paling decays' and tumbles to the ground?the briars and brambles spring up and become a covert for the hare, the fox and the serpent! No stone rises to? mark the spot where a loved one reposfcs. In private burial grounds the picture is even more revolting. The homestead passes into the hands of thoughtless,'.end, perhaps, heartless strangers; tli? enqjosqre falls, and time and seasons level the little-mound. Sdon it is forgotten that the dea'tl^leep there ' and over j the, bones of the once owner .of the man- j sioji, groves and, broad fields around, cotton and corn grows. .Oh! what desecration, of the dead. The aboriginal^ savage marked j by more dnduring^fhonnments the resting j places of their loved dead. They heaped | earth and stone togetber^so.fi.igh that ages did not efface the memorial,,and all future generations trod lightly over the ppot where the venerated sleepfir reposed-EVery town and village should have its ceraetcry?^-enj closedwith sitbMantiai ^ron'railing?laid out ip plate ami walks, apd planted fn flowers an^ ^vergfecn6, andssome ft^at and simple monument be^ereeted over everjr gcavfe. Thts^would. be showing that respect' andiflftertion for the memory oflhe ^e<id, ^iie't>y mechanics toxmnroyethiitvle 6f ouHhtiil&'l stone cutters to.b^tUV^na/ owametit* the cheapest of all motors yetdiscovered, is furnished in the greatest abundance rear the city, over the shoaly beds of the Broad, Saluda and Congareo rivers. An unlimited amount of machinery could be propelled, and a great variety of works and fabrics produced. It is easy of access by the railroads gn>g niiuiii no iuuiu?t ana is piacea thereby within a few hours of every description of raw material furnished by the State. Nearly all the upper districts are likewise prodigally supplied with water-power. The streams have their sources in the mountains and are fed by bold unfailing springs yielding in their channels a uniform regular current, exposed neither to congelation in the winter, nor to evaporation or absorption in the summer. This secures us a striking and important natural advantage over tho northern and eastern States, for the severity of their winters freeze the streams and ice-bind their wheels so as to suspend for several months the working of all machinery driven by water, and as a conse3ucnce curtails profit by suspending all labor epending upon such agency, to the detriment of the stockholder. Our operations may uu continued uie year tlirough without any such iuterruption or draw baok on the profits of the investment. The extraordinary, low price at which water power may be purchased, being really little beyond the intrinsic value of the land usually annexed' to it, should induce enterprise and capital to cover the base of every shoal in South Carolina with machinery, for the extensive , and economical manufacture of all useful fabrics and implements. If this picture : could be converted into a reality, how many < happy light-hearted mechanics, artisans and < machinists would find employment, and what new prosperity would be diffused with- i in our borders? The answer may be found by estimating how much of our wealth? hard-earned wealth from tho laborious til-' lage of cotton and rice in a soil once rich, I Out now gradually impoverishing?is annually expended in remote sections for the ; commonest implements and utensils. , W.benco comes your axes, hoes, scythes, reapers, chains?yes even your plows, harrows, rakes, axe and auger handles ? Your i liusey, brogans, blankets, and much of your < domestics? Your furniture, carpets, calicos and muslins? The cradle that rocks your infant to sweet slumbers?the top your boy spins?the doll your little girl caresses?the i clothes your children wear? tlic books from ! which they are educated?the cnrriago you !, ride in, and the guns and fishing tackle you ! sport with, are all imported into South Car-. i olina, and the products of the soil are borne I away to pay for them. In despite of all i this the Suite has prospered, but how much more exalted would have been her progress and improvement, if her -wants had been i supplied fit home by the labor'of her own citizens ? Growing towns and - smiling villages would greet the eye?no gullied fields or dilapidated mansions would tell that agriculture languished, if vre had siisely diversified labor.?Can a policy bo. obviously at war with every precept of political economy, and so fatal to every principle of social progress be longer persisted in? There 'is no natural obstacle to supplying ourselves with every article I have enumerated, by pioperly directed labor in our own State. We have genius,education, industry and the material; and if our citizens would estimate the advntage8 to flow from a changed policy soon, we would have capital seeking invest went, in practical manufacturing schemcs. None others should be encouraged. I would not urge my fellow-citzens to establish an embargo on all foreign industry?to refuse to purchase abroad such articles and materials for use and pleasure as from soil, climate, cheap labor, great skill, largo experience or other cause, could be obtained at a less cost than they could be matured at within our own limits. 'I would not controvert the sound political and social-axiomr"to buy in the cheapest,- and Bell in the dearest markets" But I am foP* stimulating enterprise, ho as to make it our'interest to buy at home, when there is no natural impediment in making the home market as good as nny other. It inspires a sense of independence and brings freighted in its train wealth, happiness, qud contentment. Some or the deficiencies of long duration are now being repaired by the active energy and enterprise of oqr citizens. Cotton manufactories .are sponging up, and stockholders who have scoured prudent supervision of their establishment*, are now, "and have for sotne year? past, been realizing a greater-per cenU on the oapital invested, than has been yielded, by investments in agriculture. Experience .and the enlarged t skill it brings, will pertainly ensure even larger dividends in the future. -This branch of manufactures should bo extended until | the markets of the whole world are supplied with cotton yarn and ^atseZ/abrics, produced in the manufactories of -the 'Southern State*..t w<tAre wanting fa no singular natiu%l advantage to compete successfully with every rival. The cheap rxjot<?r, a healthful, yluBtlou^ cJj amount of the manufactured fabric, but the pound of the latter brings into the country three times the amount of cash brought in by the former. Why may we not embark extensively in this branch of industry, with the positive assurance of our ability to undersell all competitions in these articles in every market ? Other experiments in manufacturing have crowned the hopes of their authors with gratifying success, and have illustrated genius and capacity of a high order in our mechaliics. Paper mills in various localities have been erected, and iheir fabrics ?i! l - .?v. ^uib ujyuu me upcrtiuives, ana establish the triumph of the experiment. Much of the letter and cap paper used in tho State, and most of the paper for the newspaper press in this and other Southern States, is manufactured in South Crifclina mills, and at a fairly remunerating profit to owners and stockholders. .The machine shops in Charleston are going in popular favor; the finely finished machinery, 6uch as engines and locomotives, turned out of the shops is the highest recommendation to tho skill of your workmen ?it is their best advertisement?they require no other eulogist of their merit, and the day is not far distant, I trusty when the last engine and locomotive shall bo landed on a Charleston wharf?the. necessities of the State being supplied by our own enterprising and industrious mechanics. YDill* fnnnrlrtoo l.ow* nn/J ? ... .wv.,.%4.41.U *IVI? UUU III LIIVJ lULCriUI are beginning to comp etc with older establishments in other States?let them make a character by the elegance and durability of their works?increase their force and capital?press the enterprises with becoming energy, and they will bo munificently appreciated by a discriminating public. There is one branch of mechanical manufacture which, from its rapid advance and high perfection, is entitled to the special laudation of every friend of improvement? thousands *of dollars, annually expended a few years back, in New Jersey, New-York and Connecticut for carriages and other wheeled vehicles, are now expended in our midst to pay domestic mechanics for the same work executed in their shops. Maqy^ of the towns in the State, can bear testimony to the streams of prosperity turned upon ihem, by the establishment.of such manufactories in their midst. If you doubt the il.. ' * * * * skiii oi mo mecnanios engaged in tins , branch, look at the specimens on exhibition here. Will they puffer in a comparison 1 with any model vehicles from any foreign shops, in the elegance of finish, skill and fidelity in construction, durability of material, symmetry of model or economy of cost? May I not go farther, and challenge any foreign shop to produce a specimen equal to 3omc now on exhibition here ? [to be continued.] Interesting from Kansas. '?* The following extracts are from a long and interesting letter received by a gentleman of Columbia from liis relative in Kanpas, and published in the Times. The way they "do up" free soilers and towns out there is truly praiseworthy. If anybody would like to have Abbeville represented in the picture, just give us a few "niggers" and land warrants: "Our election hrts at last come offV Friday, the 30th of March, was tho day that decided the future destiny of our Territory, which ranged it alongside with tho glorious South, and saved, it from tho baneful effects of abolitionism. The freespilers were routed, overwhelmed, perfectly Annihilated.at the recent electibn. The indomitable Southerners marched boldly up to the struggle, and completed victory had crowned their efforts. We have elected every member;, to the Legislature, and we have beaten the enemy at least ten to one. We have demonstrated to our Southern, brethren what wo can do and what we wilj do in the future, v ' < . "Leavenworth is the largest and most important town in the Territory, and will, unquestionably, rank in a short time among the nrst cities or the West, it is handsomely situated on the Missouri river, about two miles below Fort Leavenworth. The site of the town is acknowledged to be the most excellent on the river. It is on a sufficiently high eminence to escape, at all times, the overflowing o?> the river, and that it is a healthy location no one cqif doubt who once sees it.' It commands a beautiful view of the river.,for a long distance, both ti|> and down,1 and has a very excellent and superior .boat landing. Its commercial advantage* are great* and although I mako no pretension^ to prophecy, vet f^but epeak.the-publio sentiment in say Ifig that it Will in?ll probability bo t|ie largest oity in point' of population,; wealth and commerce, west of St. Lonta. jta beauty o(a&uitionr-its* natural iUJvantRgea-?tW'ftirtile; and productive country which skirts i% and which will in a abort time be settltfl bya tbnfty/'energetie?i Wealthy population; and its cppliguity'toFort L?flVenwortjL from whjchitwill derive incalculable advantages, will undoubtedly make raonthmgo. the g^un^^fei tfhich U no* W** *. . - ' .' V\ ' ik/? # i * ' ? > 'SPPi\L \.i. *V.vt! * civilization and of the "pale faces;" and we hear on every side the sound of the carpenter^ hammer and the busy hum of industry. We have now between seventyfive and one hundred houses in the town, and between three hundred and four hundred inhabitants. Everv day new house* are erected, and ere the lapse of two, or even one year, our houses and population will bareckoned only by thousands." [From the South. Christian AdrooflU.] Wofford College. Mr. Editor,?I desire to acknowledge^ with many thanks, a valuable donation recently made to the Library of this Institution by the Rev. F. A. Mood, of Colombia. It is a quarto, more than two hundred and fifty years old containing in black letter, th? entire works of GeofFry Chaucer?the morning star of English poetry. This gem of a volume is in excellent preservation, and is a handsome addition to the literary treasure* of a Library. To Mr. Senator cutler, and the Hon. J. L. Orr, of the House of Representatives, we are nnder obligations for similar favours. A complete and beautiful cabinet of minerals has been presented to tho College by Dr. Dogan, of Union C. H., oneof the Trustees; for which also, we are laid under special obligation. It gives me great satisfaction to say that the Institution is doing well. There are in * attendance in the collegiate and preparatory departments, between seventy and eighty students; and we have reason "to anticipate that this number will be largely increased at the beginning of the next term^ on the 4th Wednesday of August, when a new Freshman class will be formed. Th? endowment left by the venerable founder of the College,?$60,000,?was paid over to the Board of Trustees' by the Executors, on the 1st of January, and invested without. delay. The proceeds of the amount funded, with the patronage already secured, will meet the expenses of the institution the present year. Professor DuPre is now at tha ' North for the purpose of purchasing an extensive chemical and philosophical appa- - ? ratus, which will be here bv the time it ft I .needed. ^ Without any appeal to public an Institution of learning, ot' high graded _~f fully officered, furnished with an extensive Buite of buildings, has come into existence * and with -flattering prospects has enteredUpon'its course of public usefulness. This#. as far as my information goes, is unprecedented in the history of our Church. It" calls for special gratitude to God, the giver' of every good and perfect gift. It is cheer* inrr to t.llilllr tlmf. vaA wnrV nn in noble vocation of Christian Education, freefrotn the embarrassments and backsets which scanty means at the beginning generally entail. We may count on efficiency and vigour from the very outset We may confidently iqvite the young men from the families of our members and friendsthroughout the extent of the Coherence, to our halls of institution, offering them all the facilities of mental culture possessed by older Colleges, assured that a long career of usefulness lies before the Institution, and that' it is destined by God's blessing to promote to a largo extent. the highest good of man. HI Liinu una eternity. It is our hope it will be both a centre of* letters and a shrine of religion, sending putits influence, deep and diffusive, not only over classes of society possessed of wealth,., but also over those in more limited circum stances, to whom the blessings of sanctified; learning may prove an inheritance ricHer than go)d,'roore precious than all other worldly advantages.. W. M. Wiohtman.. Wofford College, April Qtk. i' ' :r Geoboe Washingtoh wrote the fbl1 lowing letter some time after the Constitution was made, and addressed it to-the "General Committee of the United Baptist Churches in Virginia." . Gentlemen?I? I could have entertained: the slightest apprehension that the constitution framed by the convention -where 1 had the honor to preside might possibly endanger the religious righta of any ecclesiastic^} . ' socicfy, certainly 1 would never have pitted my sir/nature to it; and if I could not conceive that the general government might even b^ boiriniimstered as to render th?liberty of conscience insecure, 1 beg you? will be persuaded (hat no one would bo more zealous than myself to establish ef- . fectual banriei^ agaipst thehorrors of spiritual tyranny, and every species of religion*. traraeuuvioD. ror you aounness rernefHDe*1 have ofjen expressed my sentiments that any man conducting himself as a good oiti? ren, and.beihg i<&countable to God plow* for his feligioiia opinions, oUff^t to. be tooted mworehipirig the >DeTty according. to the dictates ot hi? own con*dehde*y ^^ ^ Homioib*.?An liarri and -John, lying-at PotUi^swIUT^m 4 ^ which a P' j1I jljf | jj ' "k ' * , " ] >^r-. /**