The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-04-15
SPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE DIspArcH
LETTER FROM CHARLESTON.
THE CONVENTION.

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Il -
| CHARLESTON, April 18th, 1854.
| 1t q succession of bright, beautiful morn
ings, the sky without cloud, and the atmos.
phere pure and bracing, deserve to be regard.
ed as happy auguries of the good effects of
this Convention, direct trade may be regard
ed as fixed fact for since yesterday morn.
ing, Charleston has appeared, in consequence
Of the delightful weather, one of the most
charming cities l have ever visited.
The Convention met this morning, at half
past nine o'clock, but the Committee on Re-
solutions having no matter ready for the con-
sideration of the Convention, an adjournment
took place at IL O. clock until o. clock to-
morrow. There were innumerable resolu-
| tions, relating to all conceivable subjects,
| presented and referred. Pacific Railroad
projets, lines of steamers for all the Southern
ports, internal improvements, indeed all
shades and peculiarities of Southern opinions,
were pretty fairly shadowed forth in these
resolutions.
ALBERT PIKE, the sole representative of
Arkansas, large, remarkable looking man,
with beard and moustache of the most pa
| triarchal length and breadth, presented a long
| and powerful series of resolutions, full of orr.
ginal matter relative to the immediate con-
struction of the Pacific Railroad by the
Southern States. These resolutions, extreme
| ly denunciatory of the North, were received
| with storm of applause. The occasional
expressions of sentiment, upon the part of the
Convention, in response to resolutions brim.
| full of Southern fire and spirit, demonstrate
that its members are here to adopt strong re-
solutions in favor of direct trade.
None of the big oratorical guns have vet
been fired, and unless the Committee on Re-
solations speedily report, it is apprehended
| that an explosion will take place among those
| most afflicted with excessive rhetoric. 1t is
considered even now unsafe to sit too near
LESLIE COMBS of Ken'ky, and Senator JONES
of Tennessee, as both Of those worthless are
known to be loaded to the muzzle.
OF the seven hundred delegates present, at
least one-half expect an opportunity to offer
for personal display of oratorical privileges.
Much subordinate and inferior oratory is dis
posed of in the private meetings of the seve-
raj State delegations, but a very large guam
| tity must be endured patiently by the general
Convention. The arrangement ofthe various
| delegations in the pit, boxes and galleries of
| the theatre, rendering it difficult for the
vOciferating from the slips, or third circle,
| and others holding forth from the neighbor-
hood of the orchestra, it was formally resolved
| that the speaker shall henceforth ascend the
rostrum, a large platform erected on the left
| hand side of the stage.
The first orator to ascend this platform was
| the notorious Pars0n Brownlow, of Tennes.
see. That eminent editor and exemplary di-
vine, having modestly uttered few words
| from the gloomy precincts of back seat in
! an obscure box, the Convention, with loud
and peremptory calls, forced him to take the
| stand This the amiable Parson did with the
| grace of a turtle crawling upon log. He
advanced up the middle aisle, clad in brown
coat of ancient cut, and exhibited head of
| carroty hair, as disordered as fodder stack
suddenly overthrown by a tornado. Having
| deposited his hat under the nose of an august
| vice-president, he presented to the audience
one of the ugliest physiognomies it was ever
our good fortune to behold. His address was
| a strange medley of blasphemy, humor and
| defamation. He declared himself in favor
| of the annexation of Cuba, and wound up by
| delivering discourse to the ladies upon the
| subject OF temperance.
The Convention yelled with delight, and
by vociferous cries of "go on '.go on"
| forced the parson to continue his discourse,
| when he expressed desire to conclude
The Convention will scarcely adjourn be-
| fore Saturday. The hospitabIe citizens of
| Charleston have arranged festivities for
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. These
| entertainments embracing ball. dinner,
and sailing excursion win, in their extent
| and magnifcence, surpass any that have been
given in the Southern States.
| The citizens vie with each other in the hos
pitalities which they extend to the VISITORS
Their houses, their horses and carriages have
| all been put at the command of the delegates.
| Last night Mr., COnnor, wealthy citizen of
Charleston gave to the members of the Con-
ventiOn a sumptuous entertainment.
The leading hotels of the city, THE MILLS
HOUSE and the CHARLESTON HOTEL, surpass
| any hotels of my acquaintance in the com
pleteness of their arrangements. But slightly
| inferior to the st. Nicholas in mere architec
| tural decorations, they are greatly superior to
| that house in their comforts and excellent
| fare. - ..sr ~
KING STREET, the great retail street and
| fashionable lounge of the city, is one of the
| most pleasant streets Ihave ever seen. 1t is
remarkably narrow, with broad sidewalks,
well shaded and filled with large and beauti
| fully arranged stores. l must devote some
| future letter to the magnificent stores and
public buildings of Charleston.
| Yours, Plus TX.