Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-01-28
Address of tn. Rev, DIR. VIM. A. Smith.

On Friday night last Dudley Hall, Lynchburg, was
filed with intelligent audience at ladies and gsnte-
men, assembled to listen TO address tron the b "
DR.. VIM A. Smith, President of Randoph Mac'n
Collage on the subjact-"rhe State of the Country
ana the Duty of TIE Hour" The Republican contains
the following notice of the learned Doctors address:
Dr. Smit6 held bis audience for the space OF two
hours. in giving his views the subject designated
and be was listened to with degree OF attention that
must have been very gratifying 10 him. He sketcheo
b. position first by stating that IN any criticisms ne
might make the acts OF the gov rnment 1t must lot
be supposed tibet be was finding ,aas' OUT tnst errors
had been con mied III his opinion, and 10 so lar 90 ne
was capable, he would eDdeavor to point tbem out
Bat LET no man condemn the government lor was DIS
government and that he was proud TO owe
TO- and when any condemned it be tell as II ne YVES
personally involved 10 it. He reviewed at length some
OF the causes that brought about the separation OF the
South from the North, and going back to 1874, be re-
ferred to the division in the Methodist Church Norn
and ,uth ard regretted that SEPARATION OF the TWO
sections of the uny had not then taken place. nat
possibly it couo have been Effected at that day without
blocdshcd bat mat /: had to aud was ordained OF
Providence that the civilization of the North was
based upon commerce and manufacture whilst that OF
the SouthwGs based upon agriculture that Whilst we
spoke the game language, yet the ideas conveyed by
words meant one thing at the North and another the
So1th In fact, We had become two separate people,
because snity Of purpose and ideas had de-
parted from the two stCtlOIs he adTerted TO the ct
that people simply asserting their independence and
I
not make than independent They could not sustain
their position. a common suffering and a common
csuse qued to bind them in the ties Of freedom
He drew aviVd picture OF what would result to US as
people if shout be s1bagated, which be said could
never happen if sustain the common cause by united
efforts and with determination to fight to the last
man. He gava deserved rebuke to upstart editcrs
and conductors Of newspapers, who were continually
misleading the public mind and bringing the cause
into j.opardy by captious fault findings and abuse
Of the government and aay the subject of the cur
rency he gave able views, which Tor the want OF
space compelled 20 omit. 10 common with the
rest Of the audience listened to the speaker with
close attenon and regretted when the e arrived that
compelled him TO STOP
We, feel assured that much good was accomplished
by the address, and We wish similar could be de
vered beors every community of our beloved country
II would do much to Danish the evil of faction, and
make US ready to active independence
or perish in the attempt.
" course in what we have given above we hardly
aim at than rough outline of the remarks of the
speaker. We took notes ard have endeavorad from
memory to sketch what we heard
IKE F1RR.-In eur hastily prepared estimate, yes
terday, of the damage done by the conaagration, We
find that the figures given to somewhat below
the true mark. It should be remembered, however
that in the first flush of great excitement, such at
tended the fire, We are all naturally inclined to exsgge
rate. It true of fires of battles First reports
are generally the worst. Bearing this in mind, we
chose 10 the safe side.
According to the latest information, the amount OF
los on cotton about 100000. OF this, the
amount covered by Insurance is, say $3.50 ono. The
loss sustained n the agencies of Sir E. H. Nichols is
about $500 900, which is divided among some twenty
companies, the following being the principal losers
Southern, of Savannah, Ga; Alabama, OF Montgome
ry; Old Dominion, of Virginia Merchants of Rich
mond, Va; Lynchbarg Hose and Fire, of Va; Dan
vile, of Virginia Confederate, of Georgia Eafaua,
of Alabama james Rv~r, OF Virginia; Virginia Fire
and Marine Of Virginia Jefferson, OF Virginia Cen
trail, of Georgia; Great Southern, OF Georgia; Georgia
Home; Florida Home Petersburg, OF Y irgjna.
of o her losses suffered by Mr. Alexander in steam
e0ginss sugar mills and machinery stored away, and
by other individuals who likewise had property on de-
posit we have information which enables to make
more than rough approximate. We wait, therefore,
until careful estimate IS completed by the owners.
Columbia South Ca, Gilman