The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-03-26

or earth more than once, was arraigned tor dis
turbing the public peace, and was fined S.
A gentleman. for smoking on the wharf, was tined
IS.
Augustus Dunbar, duskY and uncleanly per-
sonage, who stole a gun ,at Monks Corner, ana
brought down five turkeys without firing it, was
sent to a Magistrate to explain how he did 1t.
RELIGIOUS CEREMoNY.- accordance to the an
nouncemont made in the papers the ceremony OF
LAYING the cornerstone of the Mission Presbyte-
rian Church (colored) took place in George street,
between St. Philip and King streets, at o'clock,
yesterday afternoon. stage had been erected
near one end of the enclosure, which was occupied
by lie Pastor, Kew. E. J. Adams, Chaplain French,
Rev. F. l.. Cardozo and other divines connected
with the church. Quite number Of persons had
collected to witness the ceremony, and took the
best positions they could obtain on the BRICKS
lumber and trees in the lot. Immediately in 'front.'
of the stage the crowd was quite dense, and great
eagerness was manifested in the proceedings by
the spectators.
The ceremony was begun by singing hymn' IN
which the audience joined. Rev. +. l.. Cardoza
then read the Sd chapter of 1st Corinthians, and
Chal lain French offered prayer The Pastor OF
the congregation, Rev. E. J. Adams, then deliver
ed an eloquent address from the oSth Psalm'
&c Princes shall come out Of Egypt, and ETHIOPIA
shall soon stretch out her hands unto Cod" Inc
corner stone was laid in which the following docu-
ments were enclosed: Bible, hymn book, the
confession of faith, several Presbyterian ne"spa-
pers, the names Of the President Of the Uuted
States, the President of the Senate, and the Chief
Justice.
The church now in course Of erection is eighty
five feet by forty-fve, and will, when completed
seat one thousand persons. It will have large
and convenient basement for various church pur-
poses and for Sabbath and day schools. The con-
tractors for the work are MORRIS & THoRN for the
wood, and MAXWELL g. HOWARD for the brick. 1t
is expected that the cost of erection will be de-
trsyed by the congregation and by the friends OF
the church at the North.
The proceedings were characterized by order
and dignity, and from the interest manifested on
this occasion it is fair to infer that the corner
stone will be soon surmounted by others, and that
before many months the dedication will be per-
formed.
The WHOLESALE TRADE OF CHARIEsToN.-A
stroll through the business portions of Hayne and
Meeting streets will convince even casual obser-
YER that the Charleston merchants are fully pre-
pared to substantinte the promises made to their
a,.1Sh 1osIr
turned out before the doors is ample proof that
the Spring Trade has not suffered from stagnation.
The different stores on these streets are well
stocked with every article in their lines, and offer
tempting inducements to country buyers to invest.
The ante bellum era has always been referred to as
the palmiest period in the Charleston trade, but
from an inspection Of the different stocks it is ev-
dent that the merchants will not allow many sea-
sons to elapse before the past will be osershadowed
by the coming prosperity.
Since the close Of tho war the prices of many Of
the prominent articles, such as prints and domes-
tics, have fallen considerably and theycan now be
purchased in this city equally as low as from
Northern markets. 1t has been matter Of pride
with the wholesale merchants to preserve the rep
utation Of Charleston as market especially adap-
ted to the country trade, and though laboring
against many difficulties, and having to contend
with the high rates of freight yet they have sue
ceeded, and although the trade is not as largo as
it formerly was it is yearly increasing, and the
amount Of goods sold proves conclusively that the
principles adopted have produced the desired
result.
The experience Of the past taught both parties
that the credit system was extremely defective,
and productive of great embarrassment in busi-
ness relations, and this mas led our merchants to
adopt the system OF cash payments or a short
credit with city acceptance In nearly every in
stance this has been made the established rule and
though somewhat distasteful to those who were
accustomed to purchase on six mouths time with
the full expectation Of renewing their paper when
it became due, yet it has been acguiesced in cheer
fully.
An evidence Of the increasing prosperity in these
circles is the number Of stores that have sprung
into existence within the last two years. many Of
these being the same old firms re-establshed on q
new basis, while others have been formed by par
ties who were tempted by tho prospects for busi-
ness.
The waste places produced by the different con-
Aagrations have been rebuilt and vacant store is
now q rare sight. The proprietors of these estab-
lishments are well known throughout the country
for their strict business integrity, and in their
hands the future prosperity of Charleston is cer-
tain. With the facilities now offered to the coun-
try buyer, both by the merchants and the railroads.
it is palpable that he can purchase in this market
all that he desires and at less cost than in any
other city. This is no vain boast, but has been
proved in the present season to the satisfaction of
many, who came but to spy out the land, but were
convinced that it was useless to extend their
travels.
COMMENCEMENT OF THE COLLEGE OF CHARLES
ToN.-The Hibernian Hall last night was filed
with one Of the largest and most recherche g.
diences We have seen gathered in many days
within it's classic walls. We we're pleased to see
this for more than one reason. Such an audience
is in itself no mean tribute to the cause Of letters
and Of science, especially when it is considered
that surrounding influences just now are not con-
duciye to a cultivation Of the nobler and moro re-
fined pleasures to be derived from association
with the wise men Of other days. It was our
privilege to spend an evening listening to the dis
cussion Of the noblest topics that can engage
the human intellect, and for the space Of two
hours the jar Of faction, and ever recurring din of
reconstruction WAS banished. There was, in the
entire exercises, not the faintest alusion to the
great question of the day, and for that short
spaoo ct least, the audience might have indulged
the pleasing alusion Of imagining itself in the
groves Of Athens, listening to the silvery speech
OF her great tsagcs.
The exercises were opened with prayer by Rev.
F. A. MOOD, an slumnus Of the institution. Music,
by Prof DAUER's Band, followed next, and at in
tervals enlivened the occasion all through the eve
ming.