Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-12-27
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= raf FLAMES ROLL ON r'-Such was
tne Ominous caption to the following incendia
airy article which appeared in the Charleston
Mercury of Nov. 80:
At eleven o'cnck iAs( nisb, tho hoaven. IN the
southwest were brilliantly Illuminated with the patriotic
hames ascending from burning cotton As the specta-
",nessed they nvountariiy burs, forth with cheer
e,l cheer, aad each heart warmed as with new
Pulse such people can never be subjugated. Let
tne hoy hamcs continue to ascend and let the Demons
Of Hell who come here their diabocal Grand, learn
lesson aud rembe. Let the torch be applied wherever
the invader poues soil, and let him find Is meet
that onr people will welcome him only with devastation
and ruin Our people are In cdrnest-men, women and
chndren-and their sacrifices will ascend sacred
holocaust TO God crying aloud for vengeance aganshc
hends in human shape who dsgraong humanity,
trampling down civilization, and would blot out Chris
tnuiy Patriotic planters the seaboatd are hourly
applying the torch TO their crops Of cotton and rice
Some are authorized by military authorities TO destroy
their crops 70 prevent ravages by the enemy Panta-
tons on the North Edsto and neighborhood and else
where the coast OF South Carolina, sheet Of
flames and smoke. The commanding officers at all the
exposed points coast have received positive in
sructons TO burn destroy all property which cannot
be conveniently taken away, and is likely to be seized by
And the flames hare "roled on" till they
have reached the proud and rebellious city
where the above fendish lines were penned.
As If in judgment for the exhibition Of such
a malignant and devilish spirit of opposition
to government which has been fruitful Of
blessings, and blessings only, to the whole
Southern people, terrific hurricane Of con-
Stunning flame has careered through the very
heart of the birthplace Of treason, stamping
a broad track Of black desolaton, as if the
defiant city was smitten by the wrath of God.
The CLEAN of burning plantations, which
ELECTED shouts of Joy from the traitorous and
ianatical inhabitants Of Charleston, has been
transferred to their own streets, and the fiery
flames, as they rushed romorsecssly on their
errand Of fell destruction, drove thousands of
the once exulthnt populace panic-stricken
from their dwellings, homeless and beggafed
wanderers. The devouring element has
swept away nearly six hundred buildings.
Fearfully did the flames "roll on ~ CHARLES
ton, lighting up the midnight skies with the
glare Of sea Of cracking, roaring, leaping
fire
The editor who wrote that terribly signif-
cant line, " Let the flames roll on ~ and the
people who shouted at the glare of burning
cotton-fred, where the planters were .reuc-
tant to make the sacrifice, by the military au-
thorities-little dreamed that the fearful chal
ice Of destruction was to be applied TO their
own lips--ihat they were to watch in terror
a vasier conaagration, Fed by their own
homes, their churches and the architectural
piles Of their proud city.
We do not feel disposed to exult over the
dreadful calamity which has bofaen the city
of Charleston, but the connection between
the impious article above quoted and the ter
rible fire which has occurred is SO extraordi
nary and so nearly allied to the supernatural,
suggesting the agency Of that Power which
Furnishes human wickedness and folly, that we
could not forbear a word Of comment. Dos
ton Journal