The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-02-17

lectual strength is fairly represented IN Dlpie-
defying essay-able though 1t Designating
the impious principles of the so-called code OF
honor, in an ingenious but ll-dlsguised apology
for the frailties of Nell Gwynn, whereby TO
shield from rebuke, if not to commend for imi-
tation, the scandalous proAigacy of the Court of
Charles the Second or in an elaborate but
painfully impotent efort-abounding in pomp-
Gus platitudes and shallow sophistries-to ele-
vate Aaron Burr upon pedestal of virtue, and
drag down Alexander Hamilton to the lower
deep" of infamous renown, to which history has
consigned his murderer.
There are many other points, salient to the
eye of stranger, on which might have some
thing to say, but fear ] have already trespassed
too far upon your patience. / might give you
few examples of that " refinement and hoSpi-
tality" for which the school-books inform us
Charleston is celebrated, which might indicate
that there are many things, not yet recorded by
the poet, to which distance lends enchantment."
/ could have wished to show up the insufferable
arrogance of these people, in always designating
themselves as "Carolinians," par excellence; an
offence that may be pardoned in those parts of
the State where the schoolmaster has not been
long abroad, and geographical, like other
knowledge, is very scantily supplied. But there
is no excuse for ignoring the existence of North
Carolina altogether, where the natives are gen
orally enlightened enough to be aware that the
Palmetto State" does not constitute the CEN
tire and circumference Of the universe. This
conceit is but another development of the Orlen-
tai instinct; and, aprOpoS of ignorance and ar
ro9ance combined take the following story re-
lated of Mr. -, of the rice region. The son
and heir of this enlightened Carolinian," soon
after attaining manhood, was sent off on the
usual Northern tour, for the purpose of receiv-
! ing the 81 last touch to his educational accom-
plishments. After having disbursed freely of
the old mans surplus funds, at Saratoga, New
port, and other fashionable resorts, he returned
TO the plantation to startle the natives with his
experience and observations. At gathering
of friends to welcome him home, the young
traveller happened to remark, in presence of his
father, that he liked New York better than any
place he had seen during his absence.
whats that, John?" interpOsed the de-
lighted parent, in the munifcence Of his Joy
and the plethora of his ignorance; you like
New York best, do you Well, then, I'll buy it
for you"
Much of this lack of intelligence and POM
posity may perhaps be traced to the political
institutions of the State. The boast of the
rulers is, that South Carolina never changes.
Her onstitution-originally framed with great
distrust of the popular voice-has received but
one trifing amendment for more than half a
century. The problem originally 10 be solved
was to determine, under a republican form, the
minimum of power to be given to the people.
Progress therefore is as little understood here
as in Timbuctoo. The State is practically an
oligarchy in which the sovereignty is vested in
few nabobs of the rice region along the coast.
With the election of the Legislature-chosen
for two years, with annual sessons-the par
tal participation of the people in the affairs of
the State terminates. Every attempt to give
them a voice in the choice of Governor, or even
of Presidential electors, has signaly failed, and
the system OF representation is so impregnated
with the odor of Old Sarum, that the sovereigns
themselves are the subjects Of an aristocratic
few, and the nominal servants Of the people are
i'll reality their dictatOrs.
1t might interest our fair friend S., if / were
10 sketch fashionable promenade on King
street during Saturday afternoon. But such
theme requires powers beyond those bestowed
upon your humble correspondent. You might
see scores of beautiful women, with skirts of an
amplitude that shames the capacity Of the side
walk, and whose immensely seems to be limited
only By the size of the whales that furnish the
expanding apparatus, vibrating through a GER
tain "genteel " section Of the street from five
to six and half o'clock, with no conceivable
purpose except TO advertise their fayorite mil
liners and dressmakers. And it might posi-
bly, strike you asa singular idiOsyncrasy that
ladies on one day of the week should thus walk
unweariedly for hours, on voluntary exhibit
ton of their paces end faces, and on Sunday
parade their carriages ANA footmen to ride
three squares TO church. But GA these end
other topics / forbear, and, with one more IA
mark, dismiss my Charleston observations.
Have | not limited heretofore, that perhaps
the Steamboat arrangements for reaching Flori-
da were made win aome reference to the bene-
fit of the hoteis7 In justice to these institu-
tons, ought to add that they are admirably
managed, to reconcile the traveller to detention.
have never seen houses where order and quiet
are more in the ascendant, and where the va
rious elements of an American caravansary are
more completely banded into a harmonious
whole. The aMpiHoHsness Of the table is not
made 10 tantaiize the guest NY such dearth of
attendants as 10 starye him in the p3idst of
plenty but what the eye selects from the choice
profusion of viands, there is a ready hand 10
convey it within the jurisdiction of your own
knife and fork. / therefore tender my thanks
to the entire staff of the -, most effect
i've antidote to The numerous deSagremeRS OF
| Charleston. Ever faithfully yQurs