The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1855-12-04

paucy extrem y uncomfortable if not positively
dangerous. The inconvenicnces to which the
College was suhjected by this disaster were SO
great and the demand for the reconstruction
of the buildings 50 urgent that, special
meeting of the Soard of Trustees was called,
in the hope that some scheme might be sug.
gested, by which the buildings could he re.
placed without waiting for special apEropria
ton from the Legislature. The evils to be
apprehended from delay were numerous and
grave. 1t would have kept the College for
two full seasons in condition altogether unfit
for the accommodation of students; applicants
would have been deferred from entering, or il
they had been disposed to come could
not have been received. The students now in
attendance would ave been crowded togeth.
cr for year longer, exposed to The temptations
te idlencss and dissipation which such state
of things naturally engenders. The College
at the time of the fire was in a condition Of
growing prosperity and if it had been allowed
to receive n shock, which would have been
The case had 70 interest been manifested in its
reparation, the consequences might have been
permanently disastrous. The Board was so
sensible of those evils, that it resolved 70 re.
build at once and 70 pledge as far as it was
competent to do so the faith Of the Legislature.
The case seemed too plain to admit of doubt.
The Legislature could not suffer the College 10
lie in ruins. Besides, their was some apparent
claim upon the State. BY an Act of 1919
the Comptroller General was required annually
to insure the College Buildings against fire.
With the exception of two or three years, this
Act was regularly executed until 1871: when
the Legislature declined making the usual ap.
preparation, on the ground it was understood,
that the State ought to be its own insurer. As
then the Legislature had assumed in some
sort the responsibility of an insurer, it was
hoped that this would be an additional induce
ment for repairing the losses occasioned by an
accidental fire. Confidently anticipating the
friendly ihterposition of the Stale, the Board
appointed committee TO make contract
upon the faith of an appropriation from the
present Legislature. But the Committee found
it impossible to execute their trust. No me-.
chanic would undertake the work. With the
deliberate opinion Of such Il body as the Board
of Trustees before me did not scruple to re-
gard this as an emergency in which the public
interest demanded whatever appropriation could
be made from the contingent fund, without
prejudice to the customary drafts.upon it. The
assistance which was able to render, enabled
the Committee to make contract upon very
favorable terms, and the work has been COM
pleted within shorter period than was thought
possible. The College appears in renovated
beauty, and the tide Ct its prosperity has had
no cub.
The entire cost fthe new building is $23.
S02O0 Ofthis sum have advanced out of
the contingent fund SIS, 900 An appropriation
of S7,SO2 will Le necessary to fulfil the obi,
CATION Of the Board with the contractor, Mr..
Cownover, have paid for ordinary draft on
the contingent fund. sl,020.54. There are
certain rewards offered tor the apprehension of
fugtves from justice, by myself and predeces.
sors which may hereafter constitute claim
on this fund.
The Military Academies are most sucesss.
fully conducted, and continue steadily to grow
in public estimation. Though but of few
years standing, their fruits are already felt in
every district of the State and under your
fostering care, the harvest in time will be rich
and abundant. They will be found to be
stronger safeguards than forts and Notifications.
The INDECENT young man finds himself thus
generously trained by his State for the duties
of life, can never forget that he has State to
live for-he will always feel that she has
claim upon him, and, in the hour Of her trial,
will regard no sacrifice too dear in defence of
her institutions. Wise policy dictates that
their capacity for good should be enlarged
to the extent of our means. Too much
praise cannot be awarded to Gen. James
Jones, Chairman Of the Board Of Visitors, for
the unselfish devotion with which he watches
over aud guards their interests. He has just
reason to be proud Of the success which has
Crowned his efforts, and the State may congra.
tulate herself that the experiment was intrusted
TO the guidance of one SO highly qualified for
the task.
With but few exceptions, | have reviewed
the regiments of the first and fifth military divi-
sivns of the State, and the regiments ofCharles-
ton and Laurens Districts. | was gratiied with
the military spirit evnced, and the knowledge
of tactics which has been generally acquired.
The Adjutaut and Inspector General found at
his post, and it affords me pleasure to testify
to his zeal and efficiency in the discharge of
his duty. 1t is not necessary that should
urge upon you the Importance of keeping up
our present militia system. Our peculiar con-
dilion, and the dangers to which We are ex.
posed both from within and without, should
preclude the thought Of abandoning it. 1t is
not desirable, nor is it practicable to make
regular soldiers of our citizens; but it is impor.
tant to teach them at least the rudiments OF
that science upon which every people must rely
for security and defence The muster field,
like the school house, has its lessons. 1t in.
cucates the duty of obedience, the virtue Of
courage, and the sentiment of patriotism--anf
without these clements, the standard Of charaQ-
nr nm nnvrr be himh