Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1863-09-12
Charleaton.

Ane uucuIent pauaOne OF the fdimettO
State, who insisted on plunging the South
into war, and who to carry out their provin-
cial theories, struck so daringly at the life of
great nation more than two years ago, may
find food for reflection in the present situation
at Charleston. They doubtless thought they
were doing glorious deed when, with the
array of ten thousand troops and twenty bat
teries they had been permitted to assemble
by traitor President, they reduced an i'm
finished fort garrisoned by seventy half
starved men. Their yells of victory resound-
cd through the country, and their boastful
chief was hailed as combination of Napol-
con and Todtleben. They had to learn that
the flag they had outraged was the symbol of
a grand nationality of which they merely
constituted small and rotten twig. ION
to Washington! T. was the immediate cry of
the exultant chivalry. Who could doubt the
issue of such a struggle as these braves so
eagerly invited: Not the conquering Beau
regard, certainly; for he was ready to pro-
nounce the individual demented who would
venture to question the triumph of this au-
dacious treason. The South would achieve
independence and the petty oligarchs Of
South Carolira, freed from communicating as
sociation with democracy Of greasy me-
chanics, would become princes. Charleston
would become the commercial metropolis of
the " Confederacy," and the English might
monopolize the carrying trade, provided they
muzzled the mouth of Exeter Hall. More
than two years of bloodshcd and devastation
have dragged their weary length away since
Anderson, Seymour, Davis, Doubleday and
the other heroes of Sumters defense sailed
away to the North. There have been ample
opportunities for these Palmetto knights to
vindicate their superiority on the stricken
field. What record have these vaunting VIC
tors of tho assault on Sumter made for them
selves in the struggle: What has become Of
Beauregards towering reputation Saved
from destruction at Bull Run by the timely
arrival of Johnston, he went West only to be
Inundated at Shiloh and Corinth. Not sue
ceeding as Napoleon in the field, he has
been tried as Todtleben at Charleston, with
the Notifications upon which two years of la
Dor had been expended under his command,
and behold his plan of defence baffied by
Yankee engineer who was unknown at the
beginning of the war. What General of re-
nown has South Carolina produced: Are
the valiant pickens-" born inscnsible to
fear"-the heroic Keitt, the lcathcr-lunged
Orr, the courteous Chestnut and the magniti-
cent Porchcr Miles covered with glorious
scars? How have these ''game cocks Of the
South" who sneered at the slowness of Vir-
ginia and South Carolina to follow their strut
of defiance. followed up their first peck at
the national eagle: They have not been de-
feated, for they have never put themselves
| within reach of the fortunes Of the field
they have merely maintained reputation as
the Don Quixotes Of the great rebellion.
vaunting their valor, yet fighting nothing
more formidable than windmills. They have
hugged their homes and niggers, while the
men who were betrayed by their crafty coun-
sci have been fighting the battles Of the reb-
are yet ridiculous in their infamy. Their
Bobadil bearing provokes laughter, even
though treason, with its fearful results, kim
dies Indignation. Such are the people Of
whom an outraged nation has come to de-
mand expiation. Their dreams of princely
grandeur have vanished. Their metropolis,
or its site-it is immatcrial which-is pas
sing under the sway of the loyal and
and aw-abiding democrats who have so long
endured their slurs and ISLANDERS. The differ
ence between the situation at tho date Of
their .. glorious victory" over Anderson's lit.
tie garrison and the present dreadful display
of the power National Government, will
doibtful strike the minds Of the chivalry with
peculiar force. Dragging and threatening
are now of NO avail. Hardened in the fire
of two years of desperate warfare, the SOL
diers at the gates Of Charleston are there for
blows, not blowing. Hence, the strong
point Of tho chivalry fails to make its old i'm
preston. Talk of fighting from street to
street and from house to house causes more
mirth than apprehension. Threats to make
another Moscow of the nest of treason
merely awakened lively wish to see the
show. "'l ~
We are much mistaken If the capture Of
Charleston does not excite secret rejoicing
among many Southernrrs within the rebel
lines. The people Of North Carolina have al
ways detested the pestilent agitators Of the
Palmetto State, and. indeed, the conservatives
throughout the South, on many occasions be-
fore ths war, denounced the disunionists Of
Charleston in unstinted terms. Latterly. this
feeling has been revived. and has been mani
tested III various ways. The conservatives
will rejoice that the orginators of secession
ars about to taste the fruits of the poisonous
tree they planted-bitter fruits which have
been eaten to nausea by the border State com
muuities. Raise the old banner on the site
of Charleston, raid the State. hunt the guilty
oliparchv from their luxurious homes. and
give to poor whites the freedom they have
never yet enjoyed, and one great end Of this
war will have been attained. Perish provin-
cialism! Long live the great American Re-
public Sac. Uni0a. s ear---.r4Ant