The tri-weekly herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-03-23
TIE ASHES OF CHARLESTON.

from the n. Y Daily News oftse 22d Feb, 1865.
:. With 1he fall of Charleston commences. the
fu9 Of war. The conflict is about 70 assume its
6eTeest. bloodiest, deadIieSt phase. There is no
longer any doubt as to the temper of the South.
In the ashes of the doomed city, the retiring foot
steus Of its proud defenders traced their deter
1ninatior to conquer independence, whatever
might be the sacrsice of comfort, property or
life. Charleston was to the Caroliuians what
Moscow was to- the Russians. Far beyond its
material value they reverepeed it for tile sake of
associations that linked it with their emotions Of
bride and affection. If they had obered their in
chuatious. they would have stood by the city Is
the last, spill ng their liie-blood, drop by drop,
in its defence But the hour had come for them
10 sacrifice all local preudees, all pride, al pas
sion, all persouTt conSdera tons
TO the cause in which they had embarked. They
did not hesitate. The appeal was made to their
moral courage, and it was answered by devo-
ton like that which fred the sacred city Of the
Muscovite, and gave TO the invader a blackened
ruin for his prize, and desert for his land OF
promise. -
kind. has asserted thatit WAS cowardice WHICH
induced the abandonment of Charleston. All
men of intelligence know this to be false all
yho appreciate true courage will blush for sham e
that it vas ever uttered 1t was that kind Of
eovardice that impelled the Black Douglas to
fling the heart of Bruce into the centre of the
Saracen host, that for its redemption his arm
might be nerved to victory. It.was the kind Of,
cowardce that caused TEX to aim his shaft at the
head cf his loved best that canscd the first Brn-
4us. to pronounce the doom of death upon his son,
and the second Brutns to Slay his nearest friend.
Some such cowsrdly instinct induced Fabus to
shun the enemy, and Washington 10 follow his
example, even when the failing spirits Of his
corrntrvmen seemed to upbra;d his cautious poll.
cy. 1t is, in fact, the cowardiee that fears to
ieorpardize a cause by gratifying vanity or
ambition. 1t is morul courage the lofteSt and
purest that God has given to his creatures.
What man is there, who is not fanatic or
simpleton, who believes that the Northern peo-
ME would burn and destroy their property to as
sist in su5iugatins the Sort't. They would make
every needful sacrifice TO resist invasion: but
FOR conquest, only sIch asare forced upon them
bv the military. power that conducts the war.
But at last the North begins TO compr hcnd the
stern, unfaltering and invincbc purpose. of the
foe. They understand at last the true character
of the war, and they know thatt means South
ern Independence or examination.
Three years ago. or two, or even year ago,
the capture Of Charleston would have set the
Northern pulse in fever Of excitement aid exat'
taton. To-day although the figs are flying,
and cities and villages wear a holiday aspect,
Shere is dlscernbe in the midst Of str,i1ed ell
&husiasn and superficial rel oicing, more reflect
i've mood than has been apparent since, the com
meneement OF hoStilities. Our people have not
lost all their sagaci'y in the whir Of excitement.
They know that the Southerners do no burn
their cities and destroy their property because Of
despair or phrenzy; or if it be madness ther' is
method in it,that is dangerous to ethers than
themselves. The South has accepted great hu-
initiation r: & prelude to a great iunTph. The
wonderful Intellect that now controls the military
action Of the Confederacy has prompted the sacrl-
fce that even the North beholdS with wonder.
Let US confess that beneath the outward seeming
of rejoicing, there is bewilderment and fore0o-
ding, and consciousness that the fruit we have
70 long reached for and that, at last, has fallen
cfits Own accord into our hands may turn to
hes on our lips When A1oertc2p freeuea So