Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-09-27
EUROPEAN CORRESPONDENCE.
p.pJs Aupust 25. 1860.

been so often described, that it might appear out
of place for me to 60 into a very full account OF
Wiesbaden but it will be remembered that the
celebrated beauties of the Rhine, do not extend
so far up as that. Between Bingen and Wiesba-
den, we see no steep and rugged mountains,
capped with the ruins of old castles, rising
threatningly above US. The country still con-
tinues interesting, it is true, to one who is fond
of seeing we'll cultivated fields, and the sides OF
hills covered with rich vineyards. The natural
scenery around Wlesbaden can be considered
nothing above pretty. In this respect it is far
inferior to Ems, or Baden Baden. But Art has
done much more for it than it has for either Of
those two well-known bathing places. This is
probably owing to the fact, that it is the resi-
dence of the Grand Duke of Nassau be know
ing that with his small possessions be can only
make himself known to the world, by beautify-
ing his capitol in such a manner that those who
visit it, will speak well of him. The gardens,
the fountains, the churches, and the buildings
generally, whether private or public, are very
fine. 1 have seen no other town of the same
size in Germany, which could ut oil compare
with it in n~eatness and beauty. In neatness, it
much more resembles the towns Of Holland.
As I said in my last letter, I was not under
the necessity of stopping in q noisy hotel, but
went to the house of my friends father. There
1 had the pleasure of forming the acquaintance
of several ladies and gentlemen well known in
Wiesbaden. Whether to attribute it as a com
pliment to myself, or to their son just having
returned home from the University, I do not
know but it was certainly very pleasant to
me to have such an insight into the mysteries OF
German social life. Among those whose &C
ouaintance I made was that of the painter
Knaus (of whose painting l spoke in my last
I suppose his name will never be placed by the
side Of a Raphael or a Rubens, but just at this
time, he is more spoken Of in Wiesbaden than
either.
MY friends father and uncle were two very in
t~eresting gentlemen. They had no titles Of no.
bility, nor did they seem to be friends Of such.
Some might say that they did not favor such be-
cause they themselves had none but be this as it
may, they had certainly watched the progress of
popular liberty very closely. They, as is gener-
ally the case with those who are aspiring to po-
litical liberty in Europe, look to America as the
great example of perfect freedom, after which
they must pattern. They were quite well in
formed upon the past history Of our country and
its present condition. With the former they
were we'll pleased, but with the latter very dis,
satisfied. The luxurious habits which are be-
coming common in America, they considered as
foreboding evil. The general corruption, the
continual disputing among our politicians, and
the striving after the spoils of Office, they con-
sidered as tending, if not to the overthrow Of
our government and the loss Of our liberties, at
least to the loss of our influence in Europe.
These ore questions Of momentous Importance
to every American patriot. Is our government
so corrupt and rotten as Mr.. Keitt supposes it
to be? I hope and believe that he will find few
men to go so far with him. I believe that most
men will regard his picture of corruption as over
drawn, like most of those drawn by his high.
flying imagination. But when even men of such
extreme opinions can 60 so far, it becomes every
citizen Of our great and prosperous nation, to
consider our actual condition and do his duty to.
wards removing the evils which threaten u.s.
In countries where one mind controls all things, it
is not only not necessary, but evendangerous for
the peace of the country, that the mass of the
people should take much interest in the govern
ment. But with US, where the people rule, it is
absolutely necessary that every man should know
his duty as q citizen, and that he should perform
it. To trust our government in the hands Of a
few ambitious and corrupt politicians, will in
the end not only destroy our hitherto unparallel'
ed prosperity, but will inevitably result in dis.
union and ruin.
To know what is his duty as q citizen, every
one should know the exact state Of opinion and
the spirit of the people in every section of his
country. On this point 1 am quite sure that
there is much misunderstanding between the
North and South. The North supposes, from
the language of our politicians and abusive press,
that we of the South hate the entire North with
the most bitter hatred; and, therefore, their
self.respect will not allow them to be as friendly
as they might be. We of the South consider thu
North, at least the entire Republican party, a:
Abolitionists, and our most bitter enemies.
believe that each party is misinformed as to thu
spirit of the people in the other section; ano
that q thorough understanding of each Other
would remove the greater part of the difficulties
We would still differ in opinion; but it would bt
mere matters of opinion, such as two brother:
might have, and we could be friendly, and live
as brothers, and as our interests demand.
I was glad to see the statement in one of your
papers that Mr.. Yancey was going North this
Fall, to speak on our national difficulties. fear,
however, that he will not 90, as I see nothing
more Of it. I believe it would be well for US tt
send many such men North. Those who are true
patriots would see that there was but little ha
tired of Southerners among intelligent northern
people and they would no more counsel Dis
union. Could we not get our consent to receive
Northerners among US to discuss their principles
Have we not confidence enough in our institu
tons, and the humane spirit of our masters, to
invite Mr.. Sumner down South? If he is a man
of observation and candor, he would no doubt
return home a very different man, and would nj
more rise in the Senate Hall for the avowed pur
pose of abusing the South.
But we must not place implicit confidence in
such extreme men as Yancey aud Sumner. We