Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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i.iswis m. oimst, fnbepcnbcnt Junilj ftctospaper: ^or tljc promotion of tljc political, social, Agricultural aitb Commercial Interests of tljc foutjj. |TERMS?$3.00 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE. 'VOL.. lO. YORKVILLE, S. O., THURSDAY, DECEMBEE 4, 1873. NO. 49. She ^toi'n Seller. BY THE MIDNIGHT Tit AIX. k There was a tiny circular garden filled to overflowing with pansies, geraneums, and roses ; a house which looked like a magnificent pepper box, completely hidden from view by masses of hopvines, honeysuckles, and red blossoms of some flower beans. The noon sun poured its hot beams over everything, making the dusty leaves sparkle as if some benevolent fairy had powdered them with diamond dust. In contrast to the outside heat and glare, Ituy lliasmout, sauntering along the shaded piazza, in his white linen suit, seemed a perfect miracle of coolness. He was a slim handsome man about thirty, with regular features and a light olive complexion. His hair ami a small black moustache he wore, vied with his eyes in intense blackness. Such eyes! they spoke when their owner's tongue was silent, and expressed whatever he intended. He puffed lazily at a cigar, and taking his stand where the shade fell, dark looked out on the sun-beaten road. "Parbleu!" he muttered, "What care I for the heat? Heat is my element. It is well, lor doubtless I'll have enough of it some day." And he laughed sardonically. "I think I'd rather enjoy war with his Satanic Majesty." He paused an instant and then exclaimed, "Ah, here he comes?the young farmer. What brings him here at this hour?" A young man had just rounded the corner of the nearest house and was coming toward the Blasmont garden. A stalwart, brownfaced man with with a frank, open look. He nodded slightly to liny Blasmont, and said : "Is Miss Rosa at home?" "Mademoiselle Blasmont is not at home," her brother answered, slightly raising his eye-brows and playing with his moustache, to show the large diamond ring glittering on ins right hand. His hesitation did not last long. A petite figure, clothed in some airy fabric of pink and white, came hastily through the French window. It was Rose Blasmont. "Oh, Mr. Brightly!"she exclaimed, smiling and offering her hand. "I thought I heard your voice." "1 understood from what your brother said, that you wore not at home." "Why he knew"?she began ; but she had too much tact to continue. "I meant that my sister might not be at home to this?ahem !?gentleman," said liny Blasinont with an insolent glance at John Brightly. John Brightly's face Hushed, but he took no other notice ofthe insult, for Rose laid a hand ou his arm and whispered : "Ruy isn't well. He is?what do you Americans call it ?" "Insolent," John Brightly could not help saying. "Oh no, no, no. Only a little vexed, cross. Come into the parlor. It is much cooler there. Que vons etes bon ! Ces flours sont niagnifique ?" she exclaimed, catching sight of the large cluster of water lilies John held in his hand. "You forgot that I don't understand French," he said smiling, as he followed her into the parlor. "Ah, oui! But I am so thankful to you. I must sing at Mrs. Moreland's garden party to-night, and these are the veritable flowers I love most to wear." "You told me so last evening." "And, therefore, you walked through the hot sun to bring theiu. How good you are!" "It is not such a sacrifice. This is my dinner hour. We farmers are extremely busy just at present, so I snatched sufficient time to pay you a visit." "Then you will lunch with us. Kxcusc me and I will prepare?" "No, I wish to speak with you." "Strawberries and cream ? Can you resist the temptation? Besides you never tried my sponge cake," she said, laughing, and trying to escape. "Rose," he said gravely, "give me a few moments, I have something to say to you." Ruv Blasmont drew near the window and arranged himself in a position for hearing all that might be said. Rose resumed her seat, her eyes cast down and the color varying in her face. "I have a question to ask you, Rose ; will you be my wife?" Ruv whispered through the lace curtain a sibila/.t "no." ^ Rose heard it and turned pale; to her, her w brother's will was law. "I don't know. I cannot yet tell," she faltered. The eager look on the young farmer's face gave way to deep disappointment. "I have been abrupt, but I thought perhaps my actions had given you reason to expect that 1 might ask you this question." Rose was silent. "You think I am too impatient. I have waited a long time for this opportunity, and it may be my last chance for months. I start to .New 1 ork on the muimgnt tram. Rose gathered up all her courage. "Yes, John, I promise. I will ho your wife whenever you choose." Ruy Blasmnnt angrily overturned the rustic chair on which he had been sitting and entered through the window. "Ah, mesamis," he said coolly smiling. "I have been an involuntary listener to your conversation, and pardon me if I correct a slight mistake. Monsieur Brightly, the lady who has this instant promised to marry you is already pledged to another?to Monsieur Wills." ^ John looked enquiringly at Rose. Rose K seemed astonished?and then her color heightf ened, and she cried indignantlv : I "It is false!" B "It is true. I have promised Monsieur I Wills that you shall become his wife within ' the year." " You !" exclaimed Rose, with a gesture of scorn. "Bv what right ?" asked John. "By my right as her guardian and only relation." "I deny that any such right exists." cried John, passionately. "Take, Ruy Blusmont? take eare. If you attempt to force your sister?now my promised wife?into a marriage with another, 1 will disclose that which will place you where interference will he useless." "Indeed,*' sneered Uuy; but ins countenance iell. "Goodbye, I lose," said John, "lie true to mo. I will return as soon as I can. As for you, sir," lie continued, looking at lilusmnnt, "I advise you not to try to coerce Miss lilasmont. You read the papers. There has been a new forgery, Good day." And with another good bve to Rose he left the room and walked down the garden path. Ruy went to his room, muttering imprecations in an undertone. Rose sat down in the parlor, lost in thought. The lilasmonts, brother and sister, had come from France about two years previously, and taken the small cottage not far from Moorland. Rose taught French and music in the neighboring families, and in one or two boardingschools in town. She bad made herself* a general favorite; her musical education bad been thorough and her services were in demand and well remunerated. She waj a pretty, true-hearted little lady who did her duty ami tried to make every one around her happy. She regarded her brother as her hero. lie was her ideal. For him slu: would have worked until she had died ; and he probably would have made no objection. People wondered where his fast horses and champagne suppers came from. From his sister's earnings, perhaps. Some of them ; but not all. He had no visible means of support. Moorland people hoped that Rose would get married soon, if it were only to get rid of that scamp, her brother. Uuy Blastnont had been cast on the world by the death of his parents when very young. While he dissipated his fortune in Paris, his sister had remained at her convent. One day he found himself penniless. He needed somebody to support him. He accordingly withdrew Rose from the convent, and the two started for the United States, i Rose could sec no flaw in the character of T?tnf until elm mi't. John Hi; I 1111 UJill'U I <1 J vuj uiii.it Mt.v ... Bright. Comparing the two men she was forced to acknowledge that her brother was not perfect. That he was selfish and insincere she had discovered, but that he was so base as to attempt tosell her to old Mr. Wills, whose offer of marriage Buy knew that she had once refused, she could hardly believe. And yet he had admitted it himself. Hot tears dropped from her eyes as she thought of it. Stooping to pick up the water lilies which had fallen from her lap, she noticed an open paper on the floor. Half idly she picked it , I up and read the words written 011 it. "J)i;ak Sin.?'The man who forged your name ' to a check for one thousand dollars has been traced, lie is a neighbor of yours?Ruy Bias- j moot. The proof is certain. If you desire to j have the matter hushed up, conic to New York at j once. If von don't come, I will have him arrested ; without delay. Thomas Bk-iiauds, Private Detective. I To John Brightly, Ksij. i Hardly knowing what she did. Rose turned the note. O11 the back she saw written in lead pencil: "Telegraphed to Richards?don't proceed. Will j start to New York by 111 id 11 iiriit train. J. 11." Rose Blasmont paced the room pale and tearless. She remembered how this note came j there. The stems of the water lilies were wet.! when John Brightly brought them in. He I had pulled out his handkerchief to dry them, and Rose recollected that the paper, she .1 1., 1...j I lUOUglll, IlilU lUiiUll tu luv; iiuv/i . "He shall not impoverish himself for my j t sake," she said, passionately. "lie is poor, ' already. I know it. I will prevent this sacrifice, even though I hand Buy over to the ; law. I will pay him every cent?ves !" And 1 taking a small hook from her pocket, she ran | her eye down a column of figures. "Ves, j there is something. I can pay .John Bright; ly a part of this money my brother has j j stolen." A shiver ran through her as she spoke the word stolen. "I have my mother's jewels which Ruv so often wanted me to pawn, i 1 and three hundred dollars, my savings, that I promised to give Buy on his fete day. Yes, I i I will pay him every sou. He shall not remain poor even one day for my sake. I will , take my jewels to-night by the midnight train to New York, and to-morrow I will meet John Brightly with the whole sum." Bose was thoroughly aroused. She was : naturally high spirited and proud, although l . these qualities were seldom shown in her or- i ' dinary life. The knowledge of her brother's baseness was probably the bitterest, experience ! j that could have come to her. She felt the I | hope of becoming John's wife must be given . up. She would not take to him a tarnished | name. She hastily wrote a note to Mrs. Moreland 1 bv whom she had been engaged to sing that I evening, and excused herself, llien she went to her room and did not reappear until in the , 1 > i . i- ... .1... I { (lai'KUCSS sin; Sioie m Km luiuwuu ^uuhmi, , | Rose wiis as impatient as she was impulsive, j ] The few minutes of waiting at the railroad | office seemed as many hours to her. With i the knowledge of her brother's crime weigh- ; i ing upon her, action seemed the only thing , that could give her relief. At last the mid-j ' night train started. Just as the last car left! the station, John appeared running at full speed. The locomotive went on ; he was left; ' behind, lie had spent all the evening in attempting a letter for Rose. So absorbed had j he been that he had not noticed the (light of j time, and hence his lateness. \ The next train would be in at 4.30. lie might as well remain where he was, as the farm was at least four miles from the station. He entered the little office which was occupied by a dimly burning oil lamp, and a sleepy ! employe, and gave himself up to thought. ! He looked back on the years of long struggling he had passed in the endeavor to buy that farm upon the hill; and when this object j was almostattaiued?when the last instalment of the purchase money was to be paid to the owner?Ruv had stepped in, and by a few strokes of his pen swept it all away. It was very hard. "And yet she shall never know it; 1 will save her from disgrace, if it costs all I have," he thought. All that afternoon Ruv Rlastnout remained in his room. He wanted money, and a large 1 amount, too. The only means to obtain it would be to marry Rose to a rich man. Old, pompous .Mr. Wills, the wealty man of Moor-1 land, was the person lie had selected for Rose's , husband. Rose had rejected him once and I then he applied to Ruv. Ruv had promised for Rose, never imagining that his sister would dare oppose his all-powerful will. Ruv had found that Rose had a will of her own. Rrightly was in the way. John,doubtless, knew more about the forgery than was agreeable to the forger. John Rrightly would leave Moorland by the midnight train. I'arblue! What can one do with a dangerous person ? Ruv Rlasmont showed his white teeth and closed his eyes as if he were afraid that they would tell the evil thought showing through them. He was not aware that Rose had left the house. Shortly before midnight he stood on the side of a steep embankment about two miles from Moorland. His hands were torn and bleeding. He had just succeeded in rolling a huge rock upon the railroad track On either side of the embankment was a narrow path.. I' Uty tect licJuW on iilic sine was iihj rivt-r ; on the other were rugged masses of clay ami roeks. Uunning along the emhankment until he reached the field to the north of it, lie crouched between the fence and the trunk of a willow tree, and waited the coming of the train. i "I'arhlou ! Monsieur le diahle will thank me for the cargo I'll send him to-night," he muttered. ']>ah! they'll die some time all the same." And he shrugged his shoulders. The light of the locomotive grows larger and larger. In another moment the train will he on the emhankment. It passes the field at lightning-speed. The moon is at its full. The engineer perceives the obst ruction. hut too late. The locomotive strikes it, leaps hack crushing the nearest car, ami plunges down the embankment. There are shriek-and groans from men and women and crushing timber. The locomotive, followed by the train plunges in among the clay and rocks. At last it falls over on its side, and all who are alive pour from the ears. There are many wounded and dead, but Buy Blasmont does not see John Brightly. He sees another, however, and that is his sister Hose. With her pale, still face upturned she lies among the rocks, m ar the dismantled locomotive, the light from its reileetor forming a halo around her. Kuy kneels by her side. His face becomes rigid. "A mistake,' he says, coolly taking a rc? volver from the breast pocket of his coat. "I've killed the wrong one. This time I will he sure." lie points the pistol at his own head and fires. The ball passes through his head and he falls back a corpse. * * A * S: * #The news of the disaster traveled quickly to .Moorland. Brightly was the first to reach the spot. He exerted himself nobly, tenderly earing for the wounded and reverently removing the dead. Approaching the spot where the locomotive lay, in search of more unfortunates, he received an impression of horror that never left him until his dying day. lie saw Hose. He staggered and almost fell. "Rose! My Rose !" he gasped. 'John!" she cried, joyfully opening her eyes. "Where am I ? Is it really you, John ? Then I am safe." She was safe and unhurt. Slie had only /? i 1 lamu'u. In a dark clump of cypress trees near the Brightly farm there isa marble slab. It bears the name?"liny Blastnont." Mr. and Mrs. Brightly have forgiven him. The remembrance of his crime is the only cloud in the sunlight of their happiness. ^UiscfUanrous {leading. CUBA AND IKE VIRGINIU3 AFFAIR. ..... THE UNITED STATES AM) CUBA. A IIISTOKK'AL It KTK OS PI-XT. The first occasion on which the attention of the American people was attracted to the question of Cuban annexation, was the ilight of Lopez and other Cubans to the United States in 1849, in consequence of sonic attempted revolutionary movements in the island. These refugees represented the native born white population as greatly dissatisfied with Spanish rule, and ready for revolt and annexation to the United States. Recruits were collected in this country for a descent upon the island, but the first attempt was defeated by the vigilance of our government. t T ...,:i,..i < . In August, 1(501, However, j jo|>v/< miiicu humi New Orlc.ins in a steamer, with :500 men on board, of whom a considerable part were Americans. The expedition effected a landing, but all the men were taken prisoners. Lopez was garroted at Havana, some fifty of bis comrades were shot, but the majority wore transported, and afterward pardoned. The sympathies existing with these movements here made the Spanish government still more alert in guarding against revolutionists, especially from the United .States. This watchfulness was heightened by the refusal of President Fillmore, in 1852, to unite with France and Great Britain in a treaty guaranteeing to Spain the possession of Cuba. Occasional collisions with American citizens were the result; and, during the administration of President Pierce, a Spanish vessel of war fired on the American steamer Black Warrior, an act which seemed at one moment to threaten hostilities. It must be borne in mind that, before the American people took any special interest in Cuba, the government of the United .States bad fully appreciated its importance. From the moment the United States acquired Florida, our government began to take a deep interest in the affairs of Cuba. At a time when it was feared the island might fall into the hands of the English and French, they, as well as Spain, were informed that the United States were willing that Cuba should remain a colony of Spain, but would never allow it to pass into other hands. It serins strange now to read that Spain was repeatedly urged by the American government to make peace with the Spanish American republics, lest they should invade Cuba and bring about not merely a political revolution, but a change in its social system! In 1825, Spain proposed that, in consideration of certain commercial concessions, this country should guarantee to her the possession of Cuba. Mr. Clay, then Secretary of State, declined, on the ground that entanglements of this sort were contrary to the established policy of the United States. In 1848, President Polk, as a feeler, it is presumed, authorized mil-Minister at Madrid to oiler thesum of SI00,000,000 for Cuba, hut Spain peremptorily rejected the proposition. Thus the government of the United States had its eye upon Cuba long hefore there were any popular demands on the subject, liven after the mutinous spirit in Cuba had subsided, in consequence of the failure of Lopez, it is a notable fact in our history, that Messrs. Buchanan, Mason and Soule, United States Ministers at London, Paris and Madrid, had a conference at Ostend, in which they drew up a manifesto, arguing that this island ought to belong to the United States, and that Spain would find its sale highly advantageous. As late as the session of Congress of 18o8-'59, a proposition was strongly urged in the Senate to place SoO,000,000 in the hands of the President, with a view to the acquisition of the island ; but, after debate, it was withdrawn hv the mover, Mr. Slidell, of Louisiana. The traditions of the government, if followed by the present Administration, will not discourage the adoption of a firm attitude upon the Cuban question. There are those who seem to think that the disaffection in Cuba toward the ^punish government. is a mere pretext for American interference, whereas the whole history of Spanish dominion there, proves the very reverse. Whatever the dimensions of the present rebellion, it is certain that the Spanish whites in Cuba have long been separated by a reciprocal aversion amounting to hostility and hatred. They are divided primarily into old Spaniards, or peninsulars and Creoles, or native born whites. The former hold all the odices, transact most of the commerce, monopolize the most profitable traffic, and look down upon the Creoles with contempt. Cuba, in fact, is ruled by Spanish carpet-baggers, and what more natural, as shown by the experience of our own Southern States, than j that there should be wide-spread disaffection to such rule? In 1<So4, the Spanish administration of the island went so far as to organize a militia, composed of her blacks, to theexclusion of the whites, while at the same time the white inhabitants were disarmed. This proceeding is sufficient of itself to indicate wide-spread disaffection, especially when it is remembered that of the total white popWionnn v t?rr Willi H III WI I.I J iijWVVj tliv kUU|wa II r ??.v born. Tin; negro population is GUO.OUO, (if which Iho sliivos mimlier .'50"),It is fair in assume that this element of the population sympathizes with any movement which tends to their liberation or disaffection to Spanish rule. If this he so, it is obvious that the great mass of the Cuban population, both white and black, are in good faith desirous to be delivered from their present oppressive ride, and that the voluntary aid heretofore riven in this country, in men and means to that object, is as legitimate and praiseworthy, whether it he strictly lawful or not, as any ever extended by our people to the Creeks and South Americans.?llnllunorc iSttn. THE CAI'TIKE OF THE VIKHIMl S. tiii: sr.vNisii .\n-or.vr. The following is the report of the oflicer in command of the two boats which first approached the Virginius from the Tornado : On arriving alongside the Virginias, and observing that the (leek was crowded with people, I warned them that uu aggression on tneir part would he severely punished by our threes ; and having had my all men ready to hoard at the same moment, it was done, they coming en i deck immediately after I got there. J at once inquired for the captain, and he having informed me that the vessel was the Virginias, I required him to deliver up his papers, which he did. I notified him that his vessel and all on board were my prisoners, and ordered my people to take possession of the vessel and helm, commissioning the first engineer to take charge of the engine, and warning the prisoners that our presence 011 board would not prevent the Tornado sinking the Virginias the moment any kind of aggression or any attempt to render the engines unserviceable was observed. The engineer reported to me that the engines were in order, with the exception of some slight defection. I then proceeded to transfer the prisoners to the Tornado, and all arrived safely on board except the captain and sixteen of the crew, who remained on the Virginias. A number of people having been found in the forecastle, were ordered aft, and I have to add that even after I was on hoard, these were engaged in throwing ovcr' ' . 1 _ r 1...1 1 'IM.? Hoard llie cargo irom me luruuuiu. i uu transfer of the passengers being concluded, and those on hoard made aft, I examined the state of the vessel, and found it to be very had, as not only were the furnaces clogged by the quantity of hams and grease which had been burned, but the engine packing was in very had order, as it had suffered severely in the flight. The vessel was making water through a badly stopped leak in the bow under the water line, and also through seams, which laboring during the flight, had caused it to open. The cabins were in disorder ; trunks i open and their contents scattered about, and all hearing evident signs that everything of value had been thrown overboard. All the cases of arms had been opened, and revolver cartridges, matchets and insurgent I uniform buttons were lying about. Saddles, documents ami loose effects have been collect, ed by my orders. I sent the officer in commandjof the second boat, on hoard the Tornado, confiding to his care the papers which the captain had delivered to me, instructing him to communicate to the captain of the Tornado, verbally, all that had been done, the state of the vessel and my having hauled down the American flag, which, as a pirate, it had no right to use, and having hoisted the Spanish flag in its place. THE SCENE OF THE SLAUGHTER. A CKAl'lMC IH-iSntllTION OK Till-: FLACK OF KXKCrriON AT SAXTIAOO. A gentleman who recently resided in Santiago de Cuba, gives the following account of the scene of the massacre to the Xcw York ! World: The harbor is approached by a narrow winding channel, hardy wide enough for iwo vessels to pass up the river Santiago, several miles long, and defended by an old fort on the right of the entrance, built of the white crumbling limestone of the island, and mounted L' tl'UoCA Willi il JCW SIIIOOIM IJUIU CUIIIIOII, niiil.TU iu.-l fire seemed likely to bring the tottering paraI pet to the ground. At the eity the channel widens into a contracted basin, fringed to the left with swamps that surround the river, while to the right rises the high ground on which the city stands with its plaza and cathedral a mile up the hill; lower is the low brick \ prison in the heart of the town, and directly above the harbor, a prominent object, are the whitewashed walls of the slaughter house. All entrance from the sea is over the captain of the port's wharf, and here the Tornado?a British built vessel, fourteen guns, brig rigged, j with the low, black hull, the sloping smoke stacks and raking masts of a blockade runner?landed her prisoners on the forenoon of the 6th instant. They were marched up the Caisc del Tcatro to the prison. There they passed the night; their trial was hurried to its termination the next day, and late in the afternoon the men were marched out to execution. As in previous occurrences of the same nature, often enough witnessed by this gentleman, the whole garrison formed an escort, the prisoners coming first in irons. Among them were the monks, who accompanied them to the last with crucifix and prayer, and at the head was the only music of these ghastly processions?a huge drum, whose mo1.11, t,?.,fc tl,r> Ili-mni-rli. The route files down the street already mentioned, narrow and illy paved, past the Hotel l"niverso, with the American consulate and its flagstaff and flag, whose shadow falls across the I road, past the warehouses of foreign residents, to the British consulate, half way down to the harhor, where an abrupt turn is made, and the party move out of the town on the broad turnpike in the suburbs. The station of the Santa Cruz Kail road lies to the right; further on is the machine shop, and then the last house of the bare and desolate suburbs; on the left of the road is the slaughter house, a square low building of adobe, the whitewashed walls fifteen or twenty feet high, and above the roof of dark red tiles, with its projecting eaves; under them is dug a shallow ditch, two feet deep, to catch the dripping rain drops. When it was dug, the soil was heaped in a low mound along the outer edge?earth hare ami well-trodden. Along one wall the lightcolored soil has a darker tinge. The building fronts, if the rude aperture of au adobe hut ctiu he called a front, to the south of east, hut a path, bettor worn than that which loads to the door, leaves the road and seeks the corner, to the left on entering, and the wall beyond. Wall and corner seamed and scarred, and pitted with bullets breast high; great llakos of adobe are knocked clear of whitewash, and bullets have bored their way deep into the clay, for they How wild over the heads of kneeling prisoners. Lower down bullets have sometimes been, at the distance of a dozen paces, spent balls, ami the above is scarcely penetrated; lower still, where the ground rises towards the bring party, the wall is one mass of bullets and dark stains. Corners and wall are seamed, for the sun must be behind the bring party, and one is chosen in the early morning and the other late in the afternoon. It was before tin; bare blank windowless wall that Captain Fry and his crew were halted. To the left, were the swamps around and beyond the slaughter-house, falling to the river, before which was the harbor with its vessels. The town and its buildings, its (lags of Fngland and America, was on the right and higher, Ibr the road leads down to the place of execution. The garrison forms in a three-sided square, its left and right resting on the angles of the building. Directly ojipo silo, on :i knoll that rises outside the ranks, gather curious spectators. Once from that knoll the speaker saw, in a group of insurgents, a ha by girl scarcely lour years old; she knelt in her dark clothing with the rest. Her father, a fisherman, had been delected in carrying dispatches to the insurgent leaders ; lie eluded capture and was known to lie concealed near the town. It was found that the little girl had been trusted with'the secret; no threat could extort it from her, and there she was with the full grown men. In the hollow square the prisonersstand in a confused group with their spiritual advisers. At last the firing party is drawn up. The prisoners are in irons, hut before they kneel, hands ami feel are hound, and are forced down, facing the wall, ready, when the bullets strike, to fall ln adlong into the ditch below. The priests separate, and stand in a group to the right, with uplifted crucifix. The prisoners are not usually blindfolded. On the left, lacing the squad?in this case a line of marines?stands the ollieer in command, lie raises his sword, and calls for a viva ofSpain. The hats conic oil" promptly in the crowd beyond the troops. Instances have been known when, after a little lack of warmth or promptness in the cheer or hat-raising, a man has found himself kneeling in :i row before the wall. The offi- ' v cer's sword flashes again in the sunlight lie is v facing, and another volley scars the wall and s fills the ditch. It is sometimes a halfan hour I before life ends in all the victims. Per- e haps oven this has happened when the t march begins. The ditch will be well filled, c even by a small party of prisoners, and cavalry, as they file past, crowd their horses close against the wall, while the hoofs grind and t slip over the dead ; the axles of the field artil- N lory leaves long marks along the whitewashed | adobe as the wheel crushes along the ditch. When it is all over, and the negro scavengers come to knock the irons off and load the bruised, disfigured mass into their carts, eye- * witness tell of life and motion in the load that 1 moves off to a place two miles away, where x all arc dumped indiscriminately into a pit of | quicklime. WHAT THE NAVY CAN 1)0. { Tin-: VIKWS OK AOMIUAI. I'OIlTKIl IN* UKOAItl) ' to Tin: kxn:<tkd wai:. { Tn the course of a conversation, the other ( day, Admiral Porter said that he considered f that the capture of the Virginias was an "ag- . gravntcd case of the Trent.," with the addition j that in this instance the crew were taken , { ashore and put to dcsilh. The disposition of j ^ tlie Yirginius made after her capture was not t , in accordance with the Jaw governing such t cases. Admitting tliat lier errand was illegal, still the vessel should have been regularly 1 brought before a properly organized prize j court, tried, and condemned. If he had been c a young officer, and at the time in those wa-j ters, he would have taken the responsibility of j , j running his vessel into Santiago de Cuba, re- j taking the Virginius, and if necessary bombarding the town, or exchanging the compli- i v ! ments of the occasion with the Tornado, j1 When the matter has gone so far as this it is ! necessary to follow the example of a mate who, [ when he wants to whip one of his crew, first' goes below and puts 011 the brass knuckles. 1 It is now, therefore, incumbent on our government to put the navy, which has been so much neglected by Congress, in as combative a condition as possible, to meet such emergen- j cics as may arise. j , IN CASE OF HOSTILITIES I j one of the first things to be done is to cstah- \ j lish a rendezvous on our Southern const, within i as convenient distance of Cuba as possible. If; { the operations were to he exclusively naval, I I he presumed that Key West would be a suit- j j able initial point; but if, as would be proba- j | bio, land forces would cooperate, some more ? ; accessible point of concentration on the main- i j land would be necessary, as either Mobile or New Orleans, the latter being perhaps the ' hotter of the two. It would then he necessary i j to decide upon a line of cooperative action. ; If a sailor was to determine where to land he | would steer for the nearest point, but that j ( ......,1,1 ?,.t nlu'.M.j.iMctrnr if n lniwl fnrr'P W.1S to ! . i be employed. The transports carrying the i troops possess nodcfensivoqualities, and would he compelled to lay at a safe distance while ' ' the men-of-war were opening the way to a do- * harkation. J?ut this mode of attack would 1 he extremely hazardous and probably atten-1' ded with the sacrifice of a great loss of life j' and material. It would be more desirable to i ! debark ! THE I.AM) KOI ICE 1 j at some point conveniently accessible to the i objective point of the expedition. By this 1 mode a landing of all the supplies and muni* 1 tions of war necessary ton prosecution of the 1 campaign could he simultaneously effected with the landing of the troops. The commanders of the land and naval forces having then agreed upon a plan of operations, the combined movementcould he made by a simultaneous attack from the sea and land. Jn the opinion of the admiral thirty thousand men could march from Havana to Santiago do ( Cuba, the whole length of the island, while the ships could blockade the whole coast line.! lie did not think, in the present disordered! condition of domestic affairs, that Spain would i bo able to concentrate any considerable number of vessels in American waters. In addi! lion to the internecine conflict, her VAI.I'AHI.1'. OUIEXTAJ, POSSESSIONS, the Phillipine Islands, principally, would be ! ( at the mercy of our Asiatic fleet. In order to 1 protect herself in that quarter she would be I compelled to divert a number of her best ves- | sols from participating in any operations on i this side. Remembering the formidable licet. |. already possessed by the Carl is ts, the bulk of j the Spanish navy, of which so much has been j ] said, would be compelled to be kept at home,! ' thus being entirely useless in the American !, ? ' v .. 1:? I. i i,. COIIIlIC'l. _>OlWIIllSUlUUIIIg Mi Milieu lli;n m en ( said about the odds against lis, we can eon- , centrntc the entire weight of our navy, trust- j ( ingto torpedo boats and fortifications for liar- j ( bor defence at home. It is scarcely possible, , however, that Spain would uncover Cuba by ; detaching the bulk of her protecting squadron, as would be necessary to make any show in 1 what at the best would lie a doubtful ex peri-: ment against any of the principal ports of the < United States. Our perfect system of rail- . ways, which would enable us to concentrate i at any point of t OI K KXTKNDKl) COAST, 1 ( i puts it in our power to successfully defend any ( point which might bo assailed. Therefore, in j the opinion of tin; admiral, the danger of any ( serious demonstration upon any important i part of our coast is very slight. Considering, I I then, the theatre of operations as likely to he j .? confined to the Island of Cuba and the ndja- j ; cent waters in event of war, his opinion was j r that the conflict, after it once commenced, t would he short, sharp and decisive. Another ." feature in the struggle is the largo disaffected : i element among the native population of Cuba, t Theintcnsityofthedisalleelion may bejudged t (it tnun tin: contest winch tliey nave so long t waged against all the power which the ruling t authorities have heen able to hring to hear, i This element, it is to he presumed, will actively c sympathize with the American forces. a ! a WHAT CHARLESTON THINKS. 1 The most interesting town talk at this time is about the anticipated war with Cuba. The colored people, or at least those of them who meet on the street corners and discuss such j1 matters, are too husy at present looking after the division of the municipal loaves and fishes , to bestow much attention on their brethren in Cuba who are still in bondage, and the subject does not seem to attract much attention among j them. Among the white people, however, the , Cuban question is the subject of earnest thought, and a variety of opinions are enter- ' taincd and expressed. There is one view of ' the case in which almost everybody seems to . concur, viz: That the President and his Cab- * inct are entirely loo slow to resent the Virginins outrage. The bulk of the sentiment is in v favor of an 1 i.MMKin.vn: annexation of Cuba, and an ample revenge of the brutal v butchery of the Virginias crew. In an inter- j view with a prominent merchant of this city, , that gentleman stated to one of the reporters . for tin; Xrws and Courier that as a question e of political economy he thought the anncxa- v I ion of Cuba would he a good tiling for this ? country. lie expressed the opinion that it j; would, have the clled of reducing the prices of v goods now imported from Cuba, and, at the same time, add to the revenue of the govern* j incut. The imports would largely increase "0 by reason of the development of the resources of the island, and the consequent large in- n crea*e in the amount of its productions. v A KANKIMi's VIIAVS. < I The financial men entertain a variety of; a dews. One prominent banker deprecated a irar with Spain. He said that the idea of uch a war benefitting (Charleston was absurd, t might cause the government to make large xpenditures of money, but nobody in Charles* on would get the benefit of this, as very little if the money would come here. tin-: mayor's opinions. Mayor Cunningham is rather reticent upon lie subject, but thinks that a war with Spain vould do no harm, and might possibly lie of icnclit to the city. till-: cotton* mux. Some of the cotton factors look at the mat-; cr in a more gloomy aspect. An old and imminent cotton merchant, in an interview vith a reporter, expressed the opinion that var was the worst possible thing that could lappen for Charleston. Spain, said he, hylic statements of Admiral Porter, ranks sec>nd among the naval powers of the world, i die has fifty-lour war steamers in the Gulf of j Mexico ; and suppose war should be declared ictwcen the two countries, what would become if our cotton export trade? Who would ship :ottoii from Charleston, with the possibility of i Spanish man-of-war seizing it the minute it Kissed outside the bar? Charleston is near lie Gulf, and in the event of war these Spanish var vessels would be sure to hover about the * - ? 1 :oast with a view to cripple our mortmain narinc. That being the case, it is plain to ee that our cotton would have to be shipped i >y rail to New York and exported from that i dace. The element in the community, how:ver, known as tiii: "ex-coxkkjjs" ecm to entertain but one view on the subject, ind the feeling is very general that the gov* ! irnment must go to war to vindicate its honor. | ?aid one gallant soldier who had won laurels i in many a bloody field in Virginia in defence i if the Southern cause: "I, for one, am willing ' o fight under the 'old flag,' and to resent the j nsult offered it. If I did fight against it' nice, I am an American and had a right to lo it. But these bloody Spaniards have not j lie same right, and their insolence and cruel-1 ,v should be punished severely. I don't have j nuch veneration for Grant, and those in ! Washington ; but if they don't show the 'white bather' in this emergency, I am with them | icart and soul for once." A sentiment very nucli akin to this seems to he entertained by he mass of our young people, while the more itaid and experienced citizens seem to think I hat a war with Spain would do much toward icaling the breach between the North and south, by proving lo the government that i he Southern people are of some use to them, ind merit better treatment and kinder con* j limn (linvr Imvp rcccivr-d ;lt. tlll'ir 'Kinds since the close of the late unpleasantless. As has already been stated, the colored dement do not seem to be very enthusiastic ni the.subject. It was rumored that the first jrigade of NATIONAL OrAIUlS nad tendered their services to the President :hrough Gen. Taft, but the rumor lacks confirmation. The Columbia Union-Herald, of Saturday, states that on Friday evening a large number of officers of the National Guard, general,field and staff, met in the office of the adjutant-general to talk over the Cuban question. The matter was talked over, and it was finally agreed that Maj.-Gen. (Congressman) Elliott should issue a general order instructing the captains of companies to ascertain minutely "the available foroo of willing men in their commands, and the spirit of the men, so that in the event of a call for troops immediate response could be made." TIIB FOUT8 IN TIIK IIAKHOR. In this connection a very general anxiety is felt regarding the progress of the work on Forts Sumter and Moultrie, which guard the entrance to Charleston harbor. The work is going on under the direction of Capt. Heap, and is being pushed forward as rapidly as possible. There are about fifty workmen employed on each of the forts, but the progress is necessarily slow, owing to the circumscribed limits in which it has to be carried on. In Fort Sumter there arc at present two fifteen inch and two 200-pound Parrott guns mounted en barbette. There arc also four 200-pound Parrott guns mounted in casemate. These are all ready for immediate use. At Fort Moultrie the work is considerably more advanced ; there arc two 13-inch guns and four T'.i rrnf f ri 11 us m nn 111 pi 1 ill nnsifillll. There are at the Arsenal in this city several hundred guns of heavy calibre used in the late unpleasantness, which, in the event of war being declared, could be mounted on and batteries on Morris and Sullivan's Island iiiliieicntly quick to afford an ample protec:ion to the harbor. The force of workmen at .he forts has not been increased, as they are low working fully up to the appropriations. riKWS OF THE COLmniA MAGNATES. The Columbia correspondent of the Xcivs mil Courier, on Saturday, called on Senator J. J. Patterson, more familiarly known in this state as Ilonest John, to obtain his views upon he Cuban question. He was very com tmi trial live, and appears to have given the subject I jonsiricrable thought. He says he has for rears been looking forward to the freedom of Juba and her annexation to the United States, i uul he tvgards the present as a most admirade opportunity to effect both purposes. For ome time past, he says, the treatment of American citizens by Cubans has been outrageous and ought to be avenged. He thinks hat the acquisition of Cuba by the United states, or her independence and the establishnent of free commercial relations between the wo*countries, would be of especial benefit to he South, and to South Carolina and C'harleson in the building up of a large trade with lie island, the commerce of which, he says, is mmense. His opinion is that the prescut (implications must result either in the annexition of Cuba or her separate independence, aid the arrangement of such commercial regilations with the United States as will be of he greatest service to both countries. The allowing conversation then ensued : Reporter. Well, senator, what do you think .... 1 I..,, f O A.I, fliA enhinnt ic ,jr 1 K'SlUUib .T t KMC \/?i wiiv cuujvvv , Itf ic likely to push matters with Spain or not? Patterson. Grant lias hail his eye on Cuba i?r several years. Cuba was his objective mint in his movement to purchase St. I)oningo, and now that he has her in his grasp, ie is not likely to let the opportunity slip, le will at least suspend the neutrality laws, ml give a chance to all Americans who wish o aid in Cuban independence to do so. Reporter. What do you think would he he elfect here at home of a wat with Spain ? Patterson. 1 think a little fight with Spain rouhl he wholesome for the country in many espects. Jn the first place, I believe a forign war would bring about a thorough reconiliation between the North and the South, ihich is a great thing to he accomplished in tself. In the next place a war would relieve UC Preselll lliuiueiai tTlMS suuiiu Uiim ?ui>liing else, for it would cause an immediate xpansion of the currency l?v the government; roll Id enhance the price of all our commodiies of trade, and would furnish employment or the thousands of mechanics and laborers iho have been recently thrown out of work. Reporter. Is the administration, in your udgment, probably inclined to favor a war r not ? Patterson. Yes, I think it would be. The dministration, and the Republican party rhich it represents, will be held, and the reent elections in the North show that they re held, responsible for the terrible business 1 crash which has fallen upon the country, it is very unjust and foolish to lay the blame at the door of the administration, for the cr di would have come, no matter which party w..s in power, and despite any action which the general government might have taken. But blame is attached to the administration and the party none the less, and some popular step like the wrenching of Cuba from Spain must be taken in order to reestablish the party in the good will and confidence of the people. COV. MOSES FOR PEACE. Our correspondent also saw Gov. Moses, and in a hurried interview elicited his opinions upon the Cuban question. His Excellency differs from Honest John, both as to the probability and as to the advisability of a war with Spain. He thinks the excitement about the execution of the crew of the Virginius rather hasty, for the character of the vessel has not yet been clearly established, nor is it positively known in what waters she was actually sailing at the time of her capture. rinvrtvnnr what flo VOU tllillk IWj/Ul LV^I \jiiy t Vtuv.j .... J will be the probable action of our government ? Governor. If the case be as it is now represented, I believe that the government ought to and will demand ample reparation for the murder of her citizens, but I believe that the difficulty will be settled in a friendly way without recourse to arms, for Spain cannot well nflbrd, with her Carlist disturbances at home, to engage in a foreign war, and our government will not be hasty to adopt violent measures toward Castellar and the infant republic which he is endeavoring to establish in Spain. Reporter. What kind of a fight do you think Spain could make with the United States in ease a war should occur ? Governor. In my judgment the war would be much more serious than is anticipated. The Spanish navy is far superior to ours, and though I have no doubt in the event of a contest, of the final triumph of the United States, yet I believe that Spain would trouble us considerably at first. The Governor concluded by remarking that there was a strong feeling among the Republicans in the State, and particularly among the colored citizens, to go forward and aid in securing the independence of Cuba, and the emancipation of the slaves on the island. General Taft, of Charleston, he said, had telegraphed him Friday, tendering, through him, to President Grant, the services of his (Taft's) brigade of colored State militia. The Governor has not yet notified the President of Gen. Taft's gallant and patriotic offer, Knt lmlilinrr thp mutter under advisement until he sees some indication that the President will need General Taft. TIIE "DEVELOPERS" j about the capital are heartily in favor of the I acquisition of Cuba, but are somewhat averse I to any personal participation in armed hostilI ities. They think Cuba would be an excellent [ place to "carpet-bag" to. Dr. Ncagle, the i ex-comptroller, says that there are fertile fields in Cuba, which ought to be invaded, and now that South Carolina is about exhausted, he knows of no place in which he, Scott, Parker, et id omne genus, could be more profitably employed. HAVANA AM) ITS DEFENCES. In view of a possible war with Spain and the natural result involving the fate of the island of Cuba, the city of Havana takes precedence as an objective point in the hostilities 1 that would be directed against the island, j Of all the Spanish dominions in America, Cuba has remained intact with the exception I of an interval of a year when Havana fell into I the hands of the British after a vigorous siege on land and sea of forty-four days. This j event occurred in 1760. The British subsej quently exchanged their hold upon Havana and a large domain around it which they held, : for Florida, and Florida was reconquered by ! Spain at a later date. Havana has always been a naval headquarters, and was used for j fitting out expeditions against the enemies of | Spain. It is considered almost impregnable, J and, being the key to the entire island, the ! possession of the island without Havana would be of comparative little value. The | present strength of Havana is a matter of great interest. Its general plan of defences has been constructed on the old style ; but a profusion of treasure has of late years been expended to render the city and harbor as far i as possible proof against all assaults. And it is highly probable, from the fortifications that have been erected, the precautions that ! have been taken, the difficulties that have been thrown in the way, and the ease with which 1 the defences can be used against attack, that : the capture of Havana would be a difficult enterprise to accomplish. The walls of the , city, running from the mouth of the harbor across the peninsula to the shore, inclose an nllinsn nf Iwn thousand vflrds hv one thousand "*1~ "" J ? -? ~J one 1) unci red yards; but at the present time more than twice that space outside of them is completely covered by buildings. There arc six forts, numerous land and water batteries, forming a continuous line running along both shores, besides the walls and citadel. The forts are named the Moro, La Cubaua, Principe, La Punta, Atares and Numero 4, or San Diego. Moro Castle is deemed impregnable, but it is believed a competent naval force could pass it. Even if successful, one thousand guns could be brought to bear on the ships after entering the harbor. For this, among other reasons, military authorities agree that if the place betaken it must be taken by operations conducted on land. La C'ubana is as strong, if not a stronger work, than the Moro. in 17G2 the latter was battered an entire day within short range by three English line of battle ships. They had to retire without nm? O Tf a r Kni t\Ct Kfl A 1 V iiunuig ?iij .iiij.i ?nv. w^...b w?..v v.... nbled. But for the vigorous attack on land by which a breach was made, and the storming of the fort, the British could never have taken the city. Raynal, a competent authority, says, "The Moro is raised so high above the level of the sea that a first-rate vessel of war could not batter it." But La Punta has not the same advantage. It is, nevertheless, so situated that it can only be attacked by a very narrow channel, in which the assailants must be exposed to such a tremendous fire as few would be able to withstand. Havana can only be attacked on the land side with any hope of success, and even should such an attempt be made, the difficulties to which a besieging army would be exposed arc almost insurmountable. One of these is the great scarcity of good water. It could only be found nine miles from the city, and the people, aware of its absolute necessity, would use every exertion to cntollTlio supply. It would, therefore, be necessary, in case of the city being invested, that the besiegers should have strong detachments in entrenchments to protect the watering-places and prevent connnu...Itl. ?lm /inmn Kninrr inlnrmntr.it JI ll tl lll'll >11111 111V VUIU|? uvuig I.IVM.MJ'VVM. But this difliculty, with all others, would he certainly overcome by an enterprising a ml determined commander, having adequate resources at his disposal The number of land forces necessary, it is estimated, would not exceed 50,000 men. It is clear, however, that a large army would he required to invest Havana, and a powerful fleet to act in cooperation. All the insurgents require is arms, and these could be very easily landed on either the northern or southern coast of the district in which they operate. The patriot forces would be able to take care of all the Spanish troops outside of Havana, where the garrison is reported to be 20,000, not including the numerous ships-of-war, with their sailors and marines.