The new South. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1862-1867, 1863-05-02

The n. Y. Times in commenting upon tbs
recent Message of Governor Bonham of South
Carolina, in relation to the question of food says
eff there is State in the Confederacy which,
We ought to assume, would make greater sacrifice
than any other for the Coniederacy, it is South
Carolina. 1t was that State which originated the
secession idea, a generation ago; which afterward
labored untiringly year after year to proseyte the
South to it; which was the first to apply it practi
cay in an overt ordinance Of secession and which
by its astounding audacity in opening fire upon
the old flag, gave it momentum 1t could never
otherwise have acquired. No other Southern
State went into this revolutionary business with
ANYTHING like the unanimity or the intensity OF feel
ing South Carolina did. 1t has mad too. extraor-
binary influence toward keeping that feeling firmly
ND to that pitcll-particuary the long occul alton
by the National forces Of its most valuable portion.
and the standin menace Of the capture Of its chief
city. We should expect public sp rit here in its
very pnrest and strongest form. But hJw Is 1t,
according to Gov. Bcnham2
lie complains that the law limiting the prodIc-
ton of cotton to three acres to full hand is prac
tically evaded by the practice Of putting all the
fertilizers Of the plantation on this cotton reserve,
at the expense of the portion devoted to escuents.
lie complains that .s the spirit of speculation has
recently made elarming strides in the State" SO
as to keep articles of prime necessity from the
market. He complains that the law against the
iistiliation of spirits from the cereal grains,
I" though stringent in its penalties, does not ac-
complish its object" "No one seems willing to
become an intormer, and he has s:yet to hear Of
the first prosecution. Even that portion Of the
law which allows permits to be issued for dstilla-
ton 8. for medical purposes has opened the door
for abuses in the way Of undertaking and viola
tions of contract" He complains, also: that the
act to supply negro labor for coast detences, can
not be made efectual." In the most important
district, less than one-ffth of the number called
for by the Confederate General has been supplied.
These complaints are SO varied in their subject
matter, and yet have, in common, such vital
bearing upon the Confederacy, that it is impossi-
BILE not to regard them as so many proofs of tho
thorough decentralization of the public sentiment
of the State in its relations to the Confederate
Government. 1t is palpsble that the ruling max
i'm now among the chivalry is the most damaging
as well as the most vulgar one: Take care OF
number one, whoever else goes to the dogs
Even the Governor himself, in spite Of all his
efforts cannot rise above this feeling; for he calls
for additional legislation to enable him to prevent
the expectation Of all provisions from the State.
Whatever becomes OF the Confederacy, South Car
olina Is first Of all to keep herself comfortable.
Considering that South Carolina has nearly twice
as much improved land within its area any other
State, aside from Virginia and considering, too,
that her slave population, which is her producing
power, bears larger proportion to her entire
population than is the case in any other State, this
refusal to let any of its articles of food pass be-
yond its limits to the relief Of other portions Ofthe
Confederacy, is certainly about as sordid policy
as was ever heard Of. 1t is pretty style Of back
ing up friends. Governor and people are all Of a
piece.
;a4a.ahaua.. &C lan aor i.at,