Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-07-19
4ogular R&a0mg.
From the Newbery Conservatist.
A RETROSPECT.

1t Is Al years since | flrst settled IN your
town it was then struggling village, per.
haps of 100inhabitants. It has since grown
into q town with 1900 to 1000 inhabitants.
This is, We think, wonderful Increase
But into what insigni6cance does it shrink
when compared with northern and western
cities. Thirty years ago Chicago was little
more than a military border post; now it
numbers more than 100000 Inhabitants
Cincinnati, with her half million, has grown
to what she is within my recollection. New
York and Philadelphia, with their near ap-
proach to million each, were once within
the recollection of persons now alive, a lit
tie larger than Charleston, and less than
Boston. Have these changes been produc-
tive of good or evil The question is ca
sy; the answer difficult Leaving each to
answer as may suit him best, turn back to
Newberry. What has made her town ?
The steam daily engine, is the answer. To
whom is the success of this movement to
be attributed? Who reap the beneft?-
The persons whose capital built the road !?
1t will scarcely be so pretended, when they
have not as yet received dividend on their
stock If remember right, it was said by
persons who looked on at the struggle,
"Let the road be built, we can buy at less
than half of the sum to be paid DOW on the
subscription !" Was that generous? Are
they to reap the benefit? 1t is feared that
it is to be so !
The changes in the politics of this region
are equally great. No one in 1872 thought
of anything but devotion of life, liberty and
property to the country. I can almost fan
cy that l witness again the gathering of the
men of the country to meet the call Of the
Governor to face an enemy who never ap-
peared, and the miasmatic disease of the
lower country. Now, is there not feeling
more of hostility than devotion to the coun-
try? What brought it about? We have
been for thirty years in Il crisis. The youth
have been taught, far and wide, that we
are in danger from some secret, hidden foe.
The cry of "wolf, wolf" has been so often
sounded, that I fear, when the wolf does
come, no one will believe this warning
Everybody is now a politician we are fast
nearing the condition of Athens, when eve
rybody stood still and asked what is the
news? I regard politics as sorry trade.
I never yet have found the man whom it
warmed, fed, or clothed; but know many
and many an one whom it has made naked,
cold and hungry Employment and atten-
ton to a mans own business is the best an
tidote to politics. The honest, laborious
farmer, mechanic, or merchant, is no politi-
clan. He has enough to do at home
Who is the opposite of this? He may be
the noisy, useless political brawler.
Who are the political leaders of the coun-
try? The lawyers! How does this COM
pare with their profession r? Not at all, is
my answer, after near fifty years of expert
ence. Had I the privilege to live my life
over, would seek no political power until
the fire of youth had been calmed by age,
and I had gathered wisdom by experience.
1t is great mistake to talk about youth
being the time to gather political distinc-
ton. 1t is the time which inficts upon its
followers mistake upon mistake.
A correspondent of the Edgeaeld Aduer-