Newbern weekly progress., 1860-11-20
NUMBER IL.
From the Wilmington Journal. !
SOUTH CAROLINA


We spent Thursday and part of Friday
yesterday In Charleston, the centre of the
secession feeling, and had some opportunity
of seeing how the thing works there
The excitement is rather deep than loud.
There IS little or none Of the outside demonstra-
ton that characterizes political movements
where there are party divisions or where there
is any discussion or apparent difference. In
Charleston, on the cars and elsewhere, it
seemed to be taken for granted that things
had gone too far to recede-that, in fact only
one course remained for South Carolina-that
of joint action, with her Southern sisters, but at
any rate action, even though such action
should be separate.
This is all that shows on the surface Find
a party Of men standing anywhere talking ear
nestly, they no longer discuss cotton or such
things. Be sure the new attitude which the
State has assumed is the subject of Reconsideration
for as we said before although no Convention
has been held, nor authoritative secession taken
place, still its taking placeis regarded as fixed
fact, and to this view Of the case the res;gna-
ton of the Federal officers, especially Of Judge
Magrath has given a strong sanction. Tie
question does not seem to be what the other
sustain her, or will they notf What course
will Georgia tskef What of North Carolinaf
The Cotton States of the South West are
looked upon as certain, with, perhaps the ex-
ception of Louisiana, and she too eventually.
1t would be difficult to tell by anything in
the streets, during the day at least, that an
unusual state of feeling prevailed, or any un-
usual movement was contemplated, unless you
happened to mix up with some body of pro-
fessonal or business men, and notice the top
ic Of conversation. On Thursday night there
were gatherings at sundry points, and gentle
men at the two principal hotels were called upon
to address assemblage in the streets. New mill
tary companies are forming, and the ranks Of
those already formed are rapidly filing up to
the fnll regulation strength. These companies
drill every night, and we noticed frequently the
gleam Of steel from gun-barrel or bayonet
Those who had gone through the nulliacation
times assure US that the present state of feeling
far exceeds in its intensity that then existing
We take it for granted that all the for1z=Sl
movements for secession will be made in South
Carolina How far that State will be sus-
tanned by any other of the Southern States
we do not know. Most of the people in Charles
ton express confidence yet still there is an
earnestness in the mode Of asking questions as
to the course of certain States that hardly
accords with the professed assurance Of being
sustained.
Business is Of course at a stand for the time
being How, or how soon it will be brought
back to its accustomed channels, or if not so
brought back into what channel it may be de-
lvered we do not know.
We noticed at different points throughout
the city, the New Palmetto flag suspended
across the streets. tits simply Palmetto in the
CENTRE with single star in the corner where
the stars usually are upon the O. S. flag All
with whom we talked repudiated the idea or
notion of French or other protectorate.-
There is no such thing on the cards-no such
thing thought Of We suppose if they could
form an Independent government they would
form commercial treaties with France or any
body else.
The talk about the superficial demonstra-
tions of excitement this week in Charleston, is
mostly talk. There has been very little noisy
demonstration in that city, so little indeed, that
stranger might be led to doubt the existence
of the feeling that pervades that community.
If the existence of intense excitement had been
telegraphed from Charleston, it would have
been correct-but if it is to be understood as
our neighbor of the Herald does, that the con-
duct of tbs people of Charleston 'partook more
of the character Of the sports OF set Of liber-
ated school children, than of that more serious
spirit" etc, etc.. then such understanding IS
wholly erroneous. The ebullition in the way
of cheering or rejoicing, was not in honor Of
Lincoln's election by any means. 1t was IN
response to the resi- iguation Of the Federal Ofl-
GERS These things we happen to know. We
are not making any special plea for South Car
DINA, yet South Carolina Is our sister state,
and not one of our Northern aggressors, and
justice at least should be done her.
We have thus stated what we saw and heard.
In the present turmoil it is difficult TO estimate
the real strength of any movement, Or give to
it the exact amount Of significance 10 which
it is entitled. We cannot but think that some
of the designations in Charleston were precip-
itate, but the community there sustains Judge
Magrath, ofthe U. s. District Court, and Mr..
Conner, L. S. District Attorney. few nights
ago crowd of about two thousand persons
went up to sercnade Judge Magrath at his res
idence, in that part of the city, fornely known
as the neck. 1t would appear that some ar
senal, State Or United States, is located very
near where the Judge resides, and all the wo-
men-folks in the vicinity thought the crowd
had come after the arms, and that the war was
about to begin, and there was CONSERVATION.
This started some talk about the removal OF
United States arms, we suppose
avoid GAccssSs.