Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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COI?TJMBI?., Saturday Morning, August 18,1866. Tine Burning of Col a rab Ur? The New York World, ot Tuesday, f contains a detailed statement of thc most prominent facts connected with the, destruction of this city by Gene? ral Sherman's army? written by one of our fellow-citizens, and who has very accurately grouped, the most striking of all the incidents connected with the sacking and the plunder of the inhabitants. The World, refer? ring, editorially to the. communica? tion, says of the work of demolition and plunder, that it was after the "capture", of the city by General Sherman. It is almost nselees to re? peat that the city was not captured, nor was there any .defence of it made by the Confederate troops. It was surrendered, and the assurance given by the United States officer to whom it was surrendered, that private^ pro? perty would be respected. This fact it would be scarcely necessary to re? peat, but for the seemingly sfcadied purpose to make it appear that Co? lumbi* was captured after a military struggle, and that therefore "suoh horrors" as were witnessed on that night were a common accompaniment of war in all ages, and that they were generally the work of "captors." So says the World in the following para? graph: "The facts stated by our corres? pondent do not warrant all his infer? ences;' nor do we suppose it can ever be made to appear that Columbia was burnt either by the order or with the connivance of General Sherman. Still less is lt to be believed that Gen? eral Hampton, a wealthy and respect? ed resident, would be the author of such a calamity to himself and his neighbors. Such horrors have been a common accompaniment of war in all ages; and they have genereUy been - the work of the captors." '? We had expected more candor and fairness from the World, one of thc few Northern newspapers apparently disposed to do the South a limited amount of justice, after all she has suffered. If the World knows any? thing of the destruction of this city, it knows very well it was not cap tared. As to the attempted pallia tion of the outrages following this al? leged capture, and the language ol the editor, when he says jhjr?he-iucT?s " nofsuppose it can ever be made to appear that Columbia was burnt either by the order or with the con? nivance of Gen. Sherman," we have only a few words to say. On that evening, the writer of this resided on the some square on which stood Gen. Sherman's headquarters, and he knows, that if the General did not order, he certainly must have been cognizant of the work of destruction that was going on. That part of the city was as light as day, and the yells "of the destroying forces were loud enough to have awakened the sound? est sleeper. . The writer further Snows that it was not until after seve? ral hours when the opening fires broke out-not until the hours of the morning-that Gen. Sherman made L^s appearance-the bugles sounded, and a fresh brigade came up from camp and put a stop to the work oi destruction. Wo do not charge that Gen. Slier man ordered the wholesale destruc . tion of the city, but it was almost impossible for any one within the bounds of tho city not to know that ? terrible conflagration was going on. We have thought it our duty to SHJ thus much, in addition to all that ha.^ already been written on the subject, and to reiterate our assertion thal Columbia was not destroyed by th< captors, but by the forces to which i was surrendei'ed. REFORMING THE BAB.-Those wh< have witnessed the frequent exhibi tion in our court rooms of lawyer examining witnesses, and what ii common phrase is called "brow-beat ing tho witness," will most heartil; wish that our Superior Courts woul< adopt the rules of the English Lord of the Bench, who have recently de cided that it was a principle of com mon leno that a counsellor, in quef tioning a witness, should address hil in ordinary tones and in language c respect, such as ia employed by gentleman in conversation with ar other, and that a lawyer has no rigl to question the private business c character of a witness further than bears upon the case in hand. By e means, let UR have this reform. During the month of July the were 104 fires in New York city. f iladle?! Foreign Minister?. The shameful conduct" of Kilpa? trick, Ministe: to Chili, hos already been noticed. We have, now, another specimen o? a radical, negro-loving foreign representative; E. D. Colver, Minister Resident at the capital of Venezuela. The American merchants residing there have preferred charges against him, and protest against his return to his post, for thc following good and sufficient reasons: "That he is a person so penurious and avaricious as to disgrace the cha? racter of a citizen of . the United States of America, and -his appoint? ment can only serve to bring the na? tion and its citizens into ridicule and contempt. "That he rents a small house in Caracas, using the front room as his bed-room, recept? a-room and the bureau of the legation, and sub-let? ting all the rest of tho house to ne? groes and persons o? bad repute. "That he imported, under tho im? munities granted by courtesy to the legation of tho United States, crino? lines and shoes, in large quantities, for sale and profit, and was detected in the act By tho custom-house au? thorities in tia G aayra. "That he was unable to speak thc Spanish or French languages, did not understand the Government or peo? ple to which he was accredited, and was worse than useless *o the inte? rests of tlie citizens of the United States, which he was placed here to guard." This mau is a fair specimen of the ??ew England fanatic-the genuine Yankee. The almighty dollar* is re? garded by him as paramount to his country's honor and fair fame, and, for it, he sacrifices oven the common decepcies, making, out of one room, his bed-chamber, reception-room and business office. Surrounded by negro tenants and prostitutes, wo suppose, under the flag which he thus disho? nors, he has the effrontery to.repre? sent the Government of the United States! God save tho republic from the rule of such men at home, and from the disgrace of being repre? sented by them abroad! ? European AiTu.irx. In the midst of the interest excited by the proceedings of tho Philadel? phia Convention, the public seems tc have lost sight, for a time, of Eu? ropean affairs. The following article, from the New York Thne^,Jf^^\\ to so in? teresting a subject: At no period, either before or dur? ing the sharp und decisive German conflict, has the situation in Europe presented a darker aspect than it does now; and unless we are altogether deceived, the grand contest for posi? tion, for influence and for permanent political ascendancy in Europe, is only just opening. The quarrel, from being primarily a German, or, in a measure, a civil conflict," bids fair to develop into a Gallo-Prussian war-ostensibly for the revision of a boundary Uno mark? ed out barely fifty years ago, but in reality for tho status and dignity of leadership in continental Europe. The demands for territorial compen? sation submitted to Prussia by the French Cabinet, are to be met, accord? ing to a semi-official Berlin journal, by a prompt refusal. These demands the Prussian organ-which speaks for Bismarck-characterizes as "absurd. " It reminds the Government of the Emperor that in the German quarrel France has had nothing at stake. Aud the tone in which this is said as clearly indicates defiance as any semi? official utterance from Prussia since tho conflict began. Italy, meanwhile, will apparently cease to continue a party to tho quar? rel, by the cession of Venetia, to which the Government of Vienna has consented; the term of tho armistice between that power and Austria hav? ing been extended. In that result, tho new conflict, would be one involv? ing the question of German solidarity and strength ns against French ag? grandizement and modern Crosarism. In such a contest, Bismarck would doubtless carry with him faf moro of the sympathies of liberal men through? out tho world than ho has dono hitherto. THE Two DESPOTISMS.-The radical papers and orators, says tho Chatta? nooga Union, have n great admiration for Russia, and are continually eulo? gizing that despotism-tho worst with? in the bounds of civilization. From the days of Peter the Great, tho path to the throne of Russia has been through blood and crime-of kinsman falling by the hand of kinsman-thc dagger or the chalice freeing the way to succession. The snows of Siberia, and the flinty rocks of Carpathia, th? penality for political offenders. Russia has just absorbed the lasl vestige or semblance of right to pool unhappy Poland, and now has i ti ravenous maw distended to take ii; Turkey.- It is meet and proper thal those who are striving to destroy th< liberty and political rights of theil own country, should bestow high wronght praises and admiration upoi the worst despotism of the old world Over 1,500 buildings are in course of erection in Memphis. Gronerai Sta ?rt. The military correspondent of the London Times pays the subjoined high compliment to the gallant ca? valry leader of Virginia. The Aus? trian cavalry has always been the boast . their nation, but if the troops are efficient and brave, the re? sults of the present war show that they were terribly in want of a leader. Had they had such a chief as"Gene? ral Stuart or General Hampton, a different tale might have been told of tho present "short, sharp, decisive war. The correspondent referred to, who we suppose is Russell, and who wo believe was somewhere in th? neigh? borhood of Bull Run at the com meucement of our late war, thus writes from Powlowitz: ""Were there such a cavalry Gene? ral on tho Austrian sido at present as the Confederate General Stuart iu the American civil war, bc would have a grand chance to-day to win a ?lorioxia stake by a raid upon Brnnn. 'he King of Prussia is in that town at the present moment, and only two battalions of infantry and one squad? ron of cavalry have been left as his escort. With him aro Count Bis- '? marck, General Von Moltke, the War Minister, General Von Roon, and a j large staff of officers. If these could j be captured, or even oue alone, ou ' what different terms could Austria j sue for pence? But it would need a ? mau of Stuarts intrepidity to at-1 tempt to seize the prize, and the cap tore would not bo effected without "severe cost; but to secure the King would compensate for any sacrifice. Thc Austrian cavalry probably docs not even know of the defeuceless state of Bmnu, but in one of their own provinces, where the inhabit? ants are fellow-countrymen, they ought to have ample information, ami the perfect knowledge of the country which they should Juive would materially assist in such un enterprise. " COLOMBIA, S. C., August,17, 18G<!. MESSRS. EDITOHS: I see it an nounced in one of tho pupers that the Governor is about to call the Legislature together. Although the Court of Errors, with but oue dis? senting voice, has decided that the j stay law is unconstitutional, and ns the opiuion of tho majority of the court has been published, I think^jj due to tb^yoof7rri^r:,';,-i to the suffer. iug?people, that the dissenting opinion be also published, in order that the Legislature may see the argument on both sides, and, if possible, frame ; some measure of relief. I have read all that has been pub- i lished against the law, and not seen much argument. The printed argu? ment of the appellants and the opi? nion of the Chief Justice seem to be more a collation of cases than the description of a legal proposition. I j know that some of the most eminent lawyers in th: Slate, and ia Georgia ' and Alabama, agree with the dissent- j iug judge, aud venture to say, that when the opinion is published, it will I be seen that he has the strength of : thc argument. With famine staring ' us in the face, and the sheriffs office filling up with writs to be served at : the next court, tho prospect is most, melancholy, and well calculated to i excite the gloomiest apprehensions. | What are we to do? Is the land (all ? that is left us) to be forced in the ; market and sacrificed for a tithe of: its value, leaving us still oppressed j by debt? Aro our homesteads and tho farms of the maimed soldiers and of the widows and orphans of the , heroes who have fallen in battle, to pass into the. hands of the yankee . capitalists? I trust that the Charles? ton and Columbia papers will cali for the dissenting opinion of Judge Al- ; drieh, and give it to the public before the meeting of the Legislature. If not, I hope its first act will be to haw ' it published, so that tho people may j see tho strength of their case. Unless the Legislature, soon lo assemble, can deviso some measure of relief, I seo nothing before ns but famine and utter min.. MARSHAL. VOLTAIRE AND THAD. KTKVKXS.- -If any of our readers remember Macau? lay's portrait of Voltaire, they will at once recognize, in tho following ex? tract,' the resemblance between tl it great infidel and Thad. Stevens: "Principles unassailable by reason, principles which had withstood the fiercest attacks of power, tho most generous sentiments, tho noblest and most graceful images, tho purest re? putations, th-:* most august institu? tions, began to look menu and loath? some as soon as that withering smil? was turned upon them. ****** * "Ho could not build, he could only pull down-he was tho very Virtru vius of ruin-lie has bequeathed to us not a single doctrine to be called by his name -not a single addition to tho stock of our positive knowledge. But no human teacher ever left lie hind so vast and terrible a wreck of truths and falsehoods, of things no? ble and things base, of things useful and things pernicious." It is said there is hardly a family in Columbus, Mis3., but hus 601110 member sick. Convention inciaents. From the Philadelphia correspond? ence of our Northern exchanges, wo extract a few incidents connected with tho Convention. Forney's Chronicle says: "When the band struck up "Dixie,", as a compliment to the South side of the Convention, nearly the whole body sprang up. and, waving their hats, gave vent to their cheers." Then tho band played "Hail Columbia," and, as if repenting of what they had just done, a few faint cheers wsre given. It seems that Governor Perry ad? dressed the crowd that Gov. Orr spoke to. The correspondent of tho National Intelligencer writes: Governor Perry, of South Caro? lina, was the first speaker, aud ho was greeted with most enthusiastic cheers. He dwelt much on tho benefit that must arise from practic? ing thc advice of General Grant, by the people of the different sections mixing together and interchanging ideas. He said of South Carolina? that she has accepted in good faith the logic of events, that she had abandoned all idea of secession or nullification; and claimed that ho had told President Johnson the truth when he said to him that South Caro? lina is no loss loyal than Massachu? setts. Tho South had uncondition? ally surrendered, called conventions, and ho had organized the State, and it Nas tho first of the late rebel States that accepted the amendment to the Constitution abolishing slave? ry. South Carolina had sinned, but it was only Christian to forgive as we expect to be forgiven. The war had been for too Union, but nov; the rep? resentatives of tho South aro ex ? eluded. ? Taxation without representation I was exercised towards the South. All ' they asked now was to be restored to I the Union. The South was now pom and suffering from war, famine aud I pestilence. Tlc. hoped her re-admis j sion into the Union would lead ti ! continued prosperity, and that ii ! would soon take place, and that ht j would be able, when again ho stoot : boforo thom. to stand as a:i equal. I The speech was received with mud j cheering and every demonstration o j approval. ! The same correspondent gives th? ! following description of tho-openin; j scene we have heretofore referred to j A few minutes before the organiza I tion was begun, a processionof ?gjj LfS^g VVil?y ? H*rtV greai i n trance. It was announced from tho platform that the delegates from Mas? sachusetts and South Carolina wer?: entering the wigwam arm-in-arm to gether. The whole of this vast as? semblage rose and commenced cheer? ing most enthusiastically. It was an impressive scene, typical of the cor dial re-union this Convention was intended to accomplish. The ex tremes had met and had laid theil sectional differences upon tho altar o: a common country, and had resumed thc fraternal relations so essential t< the perpetuity of the Union and th< protection of the welfare of the whole nation. The excitement and enthu siasm were intense. Tho band struct up the spirit-stirring air, "Halb Hound thc Flag," followed In "Dixie" ami the "Star-Spangie?. Banner." Cheer rose upon chee: when the band commenced pinyin? the Star-Spangled Banner; and Diel Taylor proposed three cheers for th< Union, which were given most heart ilv. Immediately afterwards, Mar shal Gooding, of thc District of <\> lumbia, proposed three cheers fu thc Roil. White and Bine, which wer responded to with a will. Many o those present were affected to tears Northern men and Southern mei embraced each ot her and sobbed upo each other's breasts. It was truly a affecting and romantic incident From this moment, it- was evideii that the Convention was a grand stu cess, and that its perfect harmon was insured, t h*der was restored onl by the rapping of Governor Randall to announco the commencement t the grave proceedings for which th Convention was assembled. Hon. R. C. Walthrop, of Mass: chusetls, formerly Speaker of ti House in Congress, has written Ol of thc best letters on the Couvcntic which has appeared. He endorsi the movement heartily, and agre with Judge Curtis, that the Southe] States arc rightfully in the Unio: Mr. Winthrop adds: "lt is vain to oiler test oaths others if we fail to fulfill our ov oaths. Thc necessities of a state war may be an excuse for many in gularities, both legislative and exec t?vc; but now that, by the blessing God, a state of peace has been i stored to us, wo ure. entitled to t Constitution and tho Union in ; their legitimate authority and extei Nothing less than the whole Cons tution and the whole Union ought satisfy us. For one, I should desps of Lin"1 restoration of law aud order ten Southern Status, and even of t maintenance of our owr national c: dit, if there should fail to bo exhib cd at Washington something of tl scrupulous adherence to the Con.? tution and the laws which ehuraot ?zed tho earlier days of the Republ Nor could anything, in my jiu ment, be of moro influence upon t future eaiverof oar country than tl Congress should even seem to holding in abeyance any provisions 1 of the-Constitution until they shall have been changed, under duress, in order to suit the opinions or secure the interests of a predominant party. Against such a course of proceeding, I trust the Convention at Philadel? phia will pat forth a seasonable and effective protest." State Items. ?NDKKSON.--The Intelligencer re? cords still another murder in that District. It says: On Monday night last, a soldier by tho name of Charles Kelley, belong? ing to the garrison stationed at -this place, was murdered in a most shock? ing manner, his throat being cut by a razor, and tho body thrown in an old well. Suspicion at otea rested upon several of his comrades, and arreste were immediately made. At the time of this writing, (Wednesday noon,) the coroner's examination is in pro? gress, and we forbear stating further particulars until a conclnpion is reached by the inqnest. YORK.-The Enquirer says: S'?me of our farmers say thero hos not beim a deio in many parts of this District since June. Whether thie statement is exaggerated or not, we have not had a general rain iu nearly two months. The corn is twisted into yellow ribbons, and the half-grown cotton-pods lia ve begun to open near ly a month in ad vance of the time foi maturity. As the Government has donate? several million acres of lands in th? West to freedmen, and probably transportation to their new homes they had better take the hint anc leave. Thero will not be food enougl raised hero to feed those who are no the favored pensioners of the Go vernment. If the blacks leave, then will be ? larger share for the hungry LANCASTER.-The Ledger says: We have had no opportunity o seeing tho disastrous effects of th drought upon the crops until a fe^ days ago, when a trip South as far a Hanging Kock showed us that th reports of parched and ruined crop have in no degree been exaggerated For eight or nine miles South of thi place, we have never seen the pro.' peet for a provision crop so utterl hopeless as it is. The cotton is n< much better. The drought is n doubt the main cause of the failur< but the waut of work aud proper cu turo has had something to do with i MESSRS. EDITORS: A wounder United States soldier of Sherman' army, before dying, confessed to hi comrade where a quantity of valnabl plate and jewelry, that wo3 the pro porty of a Col. Shortwell or Bootwell und had been concealed betwee: Hanging Kock and Lynch's Creek might be discovered aud obtained b; pr.?per application. If Col. Shortwell or Bootwell, a the name may bo, will call on Di Gibbon, Assessor of thc United State Mint, Charlotte, N. C., he willobtai further information leading to its r< covery. An. ABOTT BARBECUES.-The ed tor of the Newberry Heraldobjeets i barbecues at this season of the yea: the weather is too warm aud "pn render" too scarce; and suggests th: these social feasts be. deferred nnt next spring. And now just listen t the rapturous strain ho indulges i over the idea. It beats anything \* liave yet seen written about barb sues-a theme not very suggestive < such poetical ideas, even clothed i plain prose: "In the merry mouth of Ma, when the earth is mellow and ve laut, skies clear, and the atmosphe transparent and balmy, and fill< with perfumed zephyrs from tho ter pie t T f Flora, and the melody of bin in the honey-moon, it is delightful enjoy, amid enchanted scenes, tho festive, social gatherings; and win the pensive hues of autumn are apac and requiems are whispered by tl passing breeze through grove ai glade, in memoriam, it is pleasant mingle ere the beauties of the dyii year are gone, and kindle anew tl hearty and exuberant pleasures th spring from friendly greetings." After that, we hope thatanv pi jeeted barbecues, in all the count round, will be postponed until "t merry month of May." A gentleman who recently travel from tho West in a sleeping car: lutes the following: "A gentlem was trying to still a crying child carrying it to and fro in the coac w hich, by its screams, finally irrit?t a man in one of the berths to such degree that he could stand it longer, and cried out profane .What in - is the matter with tl child?' And soon again, 'Where the mother of that child, that she not hore to pacify it?* At this, t poor gentleman in charge of 1 child stepped np to the berth n said: 'Sir, tho mother of that eh is in her coffin in thc baggage ci The gruff grumbler immediately ar niid compelled tho afflicted father retire to his berth, and' from tl time until morning took the lil orphan under his own care." Why is a lady of fashion lik success;ul sportsman? Because i bags the hare. Tjooal Xtoro-s. BLANKS ?OS SALE AT THIS OFFICE_Let? ters of Administration, Declaration on Bond or Sealed Note, Mortgagee and Con? veyances of Beal Estate, TUE BURNING or COLUMBIA. -An inter? esting account ol the "Sack and Destruc? tion of tho City of Colombia, s. C.," ha juttt been issued, in pamphlet form, fren, the Phoenix power prosa. Orders 6Bed to any extent. Single copies 60 cents. PHILADELPHIA AUF..- Messrs. Townsend k North have furnished ns with a copy of this staunch journal, of the 11th instant. The Age will contain ' foll proceedings I the Convention, and Messrs. T. tc H. ww receive it regularly six hours bi advai .oe of I the mail. *' To THE RESIDENTS OF THC FOURTH WABO. A meeting of thc residents of the Fourth Ward will be held this afternoon? at 4 o'clock, at the store of Messrs. Huffman A Price. The business is of importance, and we hope all will attend. FOB THE WARM WEATHER.-We are in? debted to Mr. E. E. Jackson for a package containing an invaluable prescription for the hot weather. It is a (delightful beve? rage, and the cost is so very small as to place it within the roach of alb Call at his drug store on Plain street and sample it. Co MM ISSI u NEKS OF ROADS.- Upper Batta? lion -Thomas Taylor, George- W. Davis. Thos. Friday, Samuel Bookhardt. 8. L. Leaphart, Wesley Smith and Hart Maxcy, Lo'cer Battalion-John P. Adams, Robert Joyner, N. By nura. John L. Dixon, Thos. Ii. Brown, John McLaughlin and John Bates. , The above named Commissioners, ap? pointed at tho last session of the Legisla? ture, are requested to meet at the Clerk of Court's office, in Law Range, at ll o'clock a. m., on Monday, the 20th of August inst. MAIL ARRANGEMENTS.-The Post Office is ope? during the week from 8 a. m. to 1 p. m. and from 5A p. m. to 7 p. m. On Sun? day, from 8 to 9 a. m. Northern mail opens 8 a. m.; closes 2i p. m. Southern " " 54p.m.; " 9 p. m. Charleston " 5Jp.ru.; " 9 p.m. Greenville/R. R. " 8 a.m.; " 84p.m. Edgefield " 8 a.m.; " 8?p.m. All mails close on Sunday at S p. m. "HABEAS CORPUS."-Mr. J. W. Koon, charged with being, implicated in the mur? der of Mr. Lemuel Lane, in Newberry Dis? trict, on the 27th of July last, was brought before Chancellor CarroU yesterday, upon a writ of habeas corpus, and after the hear? ing of many affidavits, tho prisoner was in the sum of $5,000 for his appearance before the Court of General Sessions at its next session, in October. TUE FIREMEN'S FESTIVAL.-This fete, as announced in another column, will com? mence on Tuesday evening next. As our citizens generally have taken an interest in the affair, and have gone to work with a will, the. undertaking will meet with un? bounded success, there is not a shadow of doubt. The entire proceeds are to be de? voted to putting the apparatus of the fire department in such a condition as to make it available in checking raids from the devouring element. We have been request? ed to state that tickets can bo obtained at tlKi bookstores, hotels, A. L. Solomon's, John McKenzie's and G. V. Al worden's. LOOK OTT.-To those who hare the pri? vilege of handling $50 bills of the green? back species, it will be important to know that the latest issues of this denomination by outsiders are considered, by the Trea? sury Department, as the best counterfeit ever issued. The figures on the faces of thc notes are not so distinct as those of genuine issue, and the imitation of the lathe-work will not boar scrutiny. "The signatures of tho Register and Treasurer aro nearly perfect, and the seal of the Treasury, primed in red ink, is said to be the best ever seen on a counterfeit. This is published solely for the benefit of our readers-we are not the least afraid of be? ing caught. DEDICATION SERMON.-On our solicitation and at the request of many of the congre? gation, the Rev. W. T. Capers has consented fo tho publication of his eloquent sermon on tho occasion of the dedication of the new Washington Street Chapel. This dis? course will appear in to-morrow's issue of the Fhccnis, and as, besides its intrinsic merit, the occasion of ita delivery will mark an epoch in the history of tho recuperation and reconstruction of our wasted city, and will hereafter call up many associations connected therewith, we design printing a limited number of extra copies for the members of the congregation and others.* Those wishing to purchase copies will call at the office, or secure them by sending their names to-day. NEW AnvEKTisEME?crs. - At:-- itiou is call od to the following advertisemei.'s, which are published this morning for the first time: F. W. Green-Bridge Notice. Meeting in Ward No. -i. Jm\ J. C. Seogers A Co.-Smoking Toba*!^s? Calhoun A Roach-Rooms to Rent Prof. Jos. LeConte- Two Cows Lost. Bio STORIES.-They have the most remarkable storms and tornadoes out West. The most wonderful of recent date occurred in BUinois. Says a lo? cal paper: The next objects receiving the "attention" of the storm, were Mr. Compton's house and stable. The house was twenty-four by twenty four feet, two stories high, taken up bodily and borne a distance of eight rods, aud then set down again, "in good order"-not a person hurt, nor a single piece of crockery nor any? thing displaced. The stable was torn to atoms, but the horses that were in it were left unhurt.