The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-03-29
THE FR1voLITY OF THE TIMES.

season, and when the weight was lasseneN Oy Ine
removal of the substantiais, the bright thoughts
in constant good humor, and it was not until
merrie crews dispersed"
To The Editors at The Neaos.
Of what place and people do you think the fore
going was said? Of Rome at carnival time? OF
:'merrie England" secureAin her self-complacency
letting the world 60 round as it may2 Of 'la-
belle France" where the philosophy Of life is the
enjoyment of the hour? Or even of the land OF
our conquerors, flushed with the triumph Of the
ssnation," and rolling in the wealth created by the
causes that made us poor?
OF none Of these was it said. But will it be be-
heved it was Of Charleston or portion Of Charles
ton in 1867? Such is the fact. cut it out Of a
Charleston paper, yours perhaps, description OF
some sbanquet" here.
If the writer II do not know who) spoke truly,
there is scarcely limo that should not bring sad
thoughts and reflections.
''Boards grooming with the deicacies Of tue sea-
son" when so many widows and orphans are groan-
ing with want and suffering.
"Bright thoughts generated by sparkling wines
-''the merrie crew. All Messrs. Editors, II the
money lavished upon the princely entertainments
I have SO often seen described by this writer
among Us, ha / been expended in oEoap bread and
meat and warm clothing and fuel for the sufferers
in our midst, how many fresides would have been
gladdened, how sweet would have been the incense
that would have risen up to Heaven.
But, whether the language Of truth or hyper
bole is used, there can be no question thab, as o
people, we have lately occupied very ineonsist-
ent attitude.
1t is universally conceded that so far as private
entertainments, dances, etc., are concerned, We
have just passed through the gayest winter ever
known in ChaSeston. Not only have there been
parties every evening, but have myself known
the young people to 90 to three in one night.
That is to say, when we have just emerged from
devastating Var, which has not only impoverished
us: so th.t gaunt famine stalks abroad in some
sections Of our country, but like the Israelites,
ssthere is scarcely house in which there is not
one dead" these extraordinary spectacles are pre-
sented. To pass by the practical problem Of 80
much entel tain "e with such q cry Of scarcity OF
money, would l..e to address myself strictly to
some of the moral features of the subject.
ssThat bright thoughts should bo generated
by sparkling wines'' is not SINFUL for the Scrip
lures speak Of 'wine that m.keth glad the heart
of man. and the Saviour, at a wedding, converted
water into wine. Nor is dancing sinful, else we
must condemn many good persons Of the Old
Testament Far, very far would I be from looking
with disfavor upon the assembling Of tho young
together, in this innocent enjoyment. But the
same Scriptures tells us 'fthero is time to dance"
Implying the converse as. strongly, there is
time mol to dance. But would not go that far i;
it is only the exccss, the abuse, Of which COM
plain.
And, taking this view, has the conduct OF our
people comported with their condition. Tt is said
that NERO was iddling while Rome was burning.
In late day: not hundred years ago. the prison.
ers of the bastile and conciergeries of Paris on
acted plays-the guilctine being favorite- and it
is said to have more than once occurred that the
performances were interrupted by the entrance Of
the officers to lead out the actors and actresses
from the drama to the reality.
have sometimes thought that scme such des-
peration as this had seized upon our people,
and was at the bottom Of so much fiyoity in
times demanding 80 much seriousness.
In looking back to our recent struggle, do We
not perceive too much Of spirit, not similar at
least as dangerous as that we have described
Were We as terribly in earnest as the magnitude Of
the cause demanded? or were not, too many Of us,
wholly engaged as now with the thoughts and the
of the heeting moment?
In this dark hour of the South, it behooycs our
people to proptiate, not to exasperate, the Great
Ruler of events. 1t is plain that he is working
out great problem, inscrutable to man. What
our fate may be, whether the Unsuitable vengeance
which rules tho Radicals is to end in our destruc
ton or their own, He can only know. =
Whether it may not be Bis design TO destroy
those who havo FIRST boen made mad--or us, for
some mysterious design-like those y which M have
with scarcely 2 vestigo behind. He may intend
by means naturally Ito us) full Of fear like the den
oflions and the fiery furnace, to build us up upon
more sure foundation.
But whatever may be His design, it is our duty
to bow to His will, to beseech Him to avert these
calamities, and to conduct ourselves with Che se-
robustness dne to great sufferings. PYM.