The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-11-25
EDIToR1AI CORRESPONDENCE.
CHARLESTON, November lS, 1868.

morning for those unaccustomed to remarkable
early rising 10 keep awake until the breakfast hall
is thrown open to visitors. This was my condl-
tion, at ST n. m. this morning, but determined on
awaiting the dawn of day, and taking brief sur
vey of things about extensive hotel as the lod-
gers were quietly ensconced in their comfortable
quarters Accordingly. on reaching the Charles
ton Hotel-now, as ever, kept in magnificent
style-and being assigned TO Room No. ]55, l
thought of making hasty toilet, and then enjoy
ing the scene. But, alas for human calculations,
was doomed 10 disappointment, for the boot-black
naturally supposed that the lodger in one hundred
and ffty-fye would be somewhat reasonable in his
demands, and consequently failed TO return the
| handsome pair Of boots entrusted to his care BY
the aforesaid lodger, until the sun had risen far
above the waste Of waters, and the hustle of hotel
life had began in earnest. In short, my boots
were net returned in time, and was obliged TO be
among the "late risers," aud thereby deprived of
the pleasure expected in announcing my arrival in
propria persona, as many friends had meanwhile
examined the registry, and discovered the fact.
So much by way of preliminary. and to inform
\
sea" and snugly quartered with mine host, Maj.
HonBAoH, ofthe Charleston Hotel After meeting
| with numerous friends from the city and country.
and enjoying capital breakfast, I sailed forth
with an acquaintance from Philadelphia ION his
first visit here) 10 inspect the goodly array of
vegetables, meats, fruits, ct ceterd always to be
found in the market. We estrolled eisurcy through,
and my friend seemed much grat6ed at the abun-
dance, if not impressed with the qualities here
presented.
Having some business on Broad street, we passed
down East Bay and at the store of those clever
gentlemen, WALKER, EVANS & CoGswsLL, parted
with my Philadelphia friend, who seemed intent
upon viewing the principal portions of the city
After spending m hour or two with the firm above
alluded to, the clock reminded me that other busi-
ness demanded my attention, and taking the street
cars, I was shortly landed at Masonic Hall, where
the Grand Lodge of Masons was convened. Here
the greater portion of to-day has been spent, and
| here is assembled the largest number of Masons
ever congregated in this State for similar pur-
pose Over one hundred lodges are represented,
and by not less than three hundred delegates The
meeting has been conducted with harmony, and
the reports indicate fourishing condition of this
ancient fraternity within the Jurisdiction of this
Grand Lodge. The proceedings are fully reported
in the Daily Neps, and will furnish the particulars
Business seems to have greatly revived, and
merchants are far more cheerful than at any period
since the war. Tho recent municipal election has
caused far more dependency than the defeat of
the National Democracy. The Radicals elected
! their candidates for Mayor and Aldermen by
majority of only seventeen votes. In consequence
of fraud and intimidation" used by thnt party
to prevent colored men from voting against them,
the opposition or citizens party have contested
the election. This matieris being investigated by
the present Council, and crowds of idle, vagabond
negroes daily gather around the City Hall 10 await
the result. Passing through this rabble to-day, it
was easy for me TO become acquainted with the vim
dctive feelings by which they arc actuatcd, for my
cars were constantly greeted with abusive epithes
hurled against ct the white man," Being strnn-
ger knew that such abuse not intended for
me individually, but presumed that these express
sions seemed to console their wounded feelings, in
|
and respeciabity of the city were endcavoring to
expose their fraudulent conduct and secure the
rights of frcemen 1t is hoped that the result will
| decide the election to have been illegal. In that
case, the present Council will hold over until
new election is ordered by the Legislature. The
majority of its members were appointed by the
military authorities, and are mostly Republican,
but of the mider sort.
The announcement in the morning papers that
the Charleston Mercury had suspended is "town
talk" to-6ay. Ofcoursc, there are many surmtscs,
iunumcrable regrets. and few congratulations,
as there arc to be found true and tried men who
arc deeply impressed with the conviction that the
Kereury was fire brand in politics. and they re-
ioice at its downfall. One of this class remarked
to me, in plain language, that he was glad of it,
md doubtless there are many who felt likewise
But, as representative of true Carolina politics
in oldcn time, the Mercury stands pre-emincnt, und
lis present misfortune is to be traced to the fac,
that the business men of this period ore powise in
clned to extremes, and hence withheld their ad-
yertisinr patronage always the life and sustenance
of Southern dailies. We shall miss its familiar
face among the exchanges, and take no pleasure
in clronicling its demise.
I will write another brisf letter before turning
my steps honcwsrd Il.
CHARLESTON, Nov. 10, 1868.
To-day has been balmy and bright. The cold
east winds of yesterday have vanished, and the at
mospherc indicates brief enjoyment Of The de-
lights experienced when the Indian summeris upon
u.s. In this glorious old city, where are to be seen
so many beautiful faces, such day allures one 10
King street, the thoroughfarc of beauty and fash
ion. An exceen: bachelor friend of mine, from
one of the upper Districts, has devoted much of