The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-06-30
SAN ~ sASL

type. She was styled the Athens of the
South, and aspired to be in the South
ern Empire, what Boston claims to be
of the North: the seat of laws, learning,
and science, while Charleston was to be
| the commercial rival of New York.
Here also was the fashion, the wealth,
the aristocracy, the gayety, and the
snort of the State. Here was the famous
University of South Carolina, one OF
the oldest and largest in the country,
and capable of accommodating four hum
bred students. Here, also, were the most
famous academies seninaries, and law
schools of the extreme South. Here the
sectional distinction found its way into
the departments of law, theology,
science, and government. The very
textbooks of philosophy and ethics, in
use for centuries in Old and New Eng
land, were emasculated or supplanted
by those conformable to the peculiar in
terests of the State. Here were collect
ed the ablest professors in divinity,
logic, and oratory which the South af-
forded. Here DIR. Thornwell produced
his great argument In defence Of slavery.
Here was published the only periodical
worth notice, beside DE BOWS monthly,
the Southern quarterly. The doctrines
of Calhoun were taught and believed as
if part of the fundamental creed of
the government.
Columbia is lnosteligibly situated, and
in its days of peace must have been ex-
ceedingly beautiful to the eye. Built
upon an elevated plateau from which
can be seen thvswestern hills and the far
reach: g pine plains on the east, with
the Congaree skirting the base of its
bluff ascent, and dense, dark, gloomy
foliage on all sides, it is at once healthfll,
picturesque and genial. Standing on
the edge of the low opportunities, as they
are called, it is in the centre of the State
and its wealth. Nature furnished the
groundwork in rare excellence, includ-
ing even good spring water, and the skill
of man hasbuilt up the Improvements
with general good taste. Before the war
it had about twenty five thousand in
habitants, but at the time of its destruc-
ton twice that number. Its streets are
wide, and abounded in handsome build
ings and superb shade trees.
APPEARANCE OF THE CITY.
The most conspicuous structure in the
placeis the unfinished State Capitol, built
of light bluish-grey granite. Its der
ricks are standing, and its pillars I'M
Many ofthe fine marble carv-
ings in the yard are ruined by burning
the sheds over them. On the eastern
side of the building is monument in
iron, beingan exact representation of q
Palmetto tree in form and color, erected to
the regiment of that name,
angagedin the Mexican war. There is a
fine, large chapel built for the college, but
to-day used by the negroes of the place for
. preparatory meeting to commemorate
The coming Fourth of July. The col
lege itself consists of a venerable pile of
buildings, occupying three sides of
square. The interior Is traversed by
quaint walks, arbors, and benches in
true Oxford style. The buildings, with
the exception Of those occupied by the
faculty and president; are at present oc-
cupied by many families who we're burn
ed out. Colonel Haughton, command,
ing the forces, occupies very bare and
cheerless portion Of one of the wings
There is also, as in most university
towns, public park, with shady walks
and numbering fountains, fit for senti-
mental couples and nloonlit souls.
Many of the finest churches are burn
ed down, as are also the banks and
court-houses. There were several man.
many Of them erected since
the war. There was a. large arsenal,
with two magazines, all blown up by
the rebels. The Carolina railroad had
several large shops, and, indeed, the
best car and locomotive works in the
South. All that was not run off, was,
of course, burned. At the fair grounds
was distillery for producing brandy for
army purposes. The Confederacy had
large storehouses OF one sort and another.
The medical stores were run Off to New
berry, and there divided since among
the country doctors. The provisions,
which were taken to York, Greenville
md Spartansburg and Anderson, were
mostly raided on by guerrillas, and thus
stolen.
THE BURDEN OF CONVERSATION.
is, day and night, the emancipation of
the slaves. Niger, negro, nlg-ro-for
so it is pronounced respectively by the
low whites, overseers, &C., the educated |
and the educated men. "What
to do with our servants, our slaves, our
l intend to do no discredit
70 the people OF this State when / say
that IN the western districts the mass of
the people do not know the course the
war has taken in reference to this spe-
Cues OF property. Some of them don't
know that the slaves are free. Some
have actually asked me if it were true.
and If l thought that in view of the
great loss of property and the Difficult
ties OF the subject, the government
would not compensate them, or at least
delay the emancipation for thirty wears.
they are quite as dark on many collate.
raj subjects. For instance, some of them
talk Of the conditions precedent On
which the State will return to tho
Union They call the close of the war
'the armistice," and talk of the s,lrrep.
1eras 1.-The capitulation." Cut off from
all sources of information, even their
,wn lean publications, they are prev
10 all sorts ofrumors. Some have it that
The slaves are free, and are to have the
and portioned out, others that the blacks
IRE all to be colonized elsewhere. and 40
IN. ! he negroes are backward in find |
ng out their true status. The first i'm
pulse is to rush to the nearest military
post in families. This soon became such |
| nuisance that they were first told, then
Urged, to return to their homes, and af-
er being put to hard work, with scant
'ations, were driven there.
OF THE LABoRSrRoBLEM.
The negroes who have left voluntarily
II by order, can seldom find EMPLOYERS.
They live ON the country, that is, thew
teal, kill the young hogs, rob the gar
lens and hen-roosts. Many of the mas
ers SAL they are unable to maintain
hem all. AL, or nearly all, refuse TO
oyor tho idaa that thew 'eap ho x,,o.I-J |