Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-03-26
EDITORIAL INKLINGS.

Darkness Visible.
One of most touching incidents connected
with the late South Carolina Reconstruction Con-
vention, was the photogaphing Of the very d'st''-
que assembly by colored photographer of Charles
ton The papers of that city state that the propo-
sition to take their pictur created quite sensa-
ton in the Convention As it was very likely the
first time many of the members ever went through
such ceremony, a little time was required tor
preparation. This interval was occupied in fixing
shirt collars, arranging ''fowing locks or kinky,
in some cases, pgtails, and taking position Pro-
found silence regned, for the first time in the his
tory of the Convention, when the WORD was gwen,
and the mysterious instrument was uncovered, with
its muzze pointed straight at their heads at point
blank range. And nobly did the Representatives
of South Carolina stand fire. 1t tmust have been
an impressive scene, to witness so many men OF
gigantic intellect laying aside the cares Of state and
devoting the entire energies of their souls to the
task of trying to look pretty Fortunately for their
constituents and for posterty, the effort was not
in vain. The instrument did not break, notwith-
standing the enormous strain upon its powers, and
the "pictur was took" We presume heavy edi-
ton of this valuable photograph will be struck OF,
for the benefit of those who desire to look upon the
lights and shades of reconstructed South Carolina.
It may be recommended as good thing to keep
crows off corn.
Fires and Insurance in Paris.
Paris is city of 100000 inhabitants, yet
the correspondent of the New York Times says he
has waited ten, years to see big fire there This
appears still more strange, when he states that the
CITY has only 1850 remen to protect it from these
calamities. Notwithstanding these slight guards
against loss by fire. insurance is very low. The
mystery is explained as follows:
'The French have long ago passed the idea that
safety lies il big engines or steam-englnes, or en-
gines of any kind; the question as to whether
paid or volunteer system is the best occupies but
secondary place in their system. For them the
prevention instead of cure. They long ago decided
that it was cheaper and better to build houses 80
that they would not burn, than to build fine en-.
gines to put them out when they got to burning.
The floors are laid with heavy pieces of oak that
twill not burn Paris plaster is used wherever pos
sble, instead Of wood and to sum up, nothing is
left to hazard.
An Intelligent Exhibitor.
The Vicksburg (Miss,) Herald, Of Feb.
10Th, gives the following instance Of man who
was selling an article of which he knew very little
"On yesterday, gentleman, having in his pos
session tin cup full of petro oil, came into the
editorial and business room of this journal, and
while exhiting the oil to the business manager and
to test the on-explosive qualities, touched fam
ing match to the contents of the cup. In an in:
slant the whole room was enveloped in flame, and
| Il. in, hrip
several portions of his person. He instantly threw
the burning fluid from him, scattering the contents
over the floor and all over the person of the editor
who was instantly wrapped in sheet Of fame
The whole Office was filed with fame. The book
keeper was cut off from all means of exit except
through the window, to which he Immediately ran
The editor in hig gh state of excitement, wrapped
in fame, ran into the bedroom of Colonel A. Mac
Donnel and was there, by the exertions Of the
occupant, Colonel MacD., saved from burning tc
death. By the exertions of the employees in the
office, the fame was soon extinguished. Mr.
Charles De Knight was very severely burned or
his hands and face He would have been much
more severely burned but for the active and promp
exertions of the gentlemen present. 1t was, in
deed, narrow escape to all parties, and should b
q lesson to those who, in the future, attempt tht
exhibition of these fluids, as we'll as to those wht
are called upon to handle them"
Adjournment of the N. C. Convention.
; The North Carolina Convention closed it
labors and adjourned on Tuesday of last week. Th'
3 following sketch is given of the closing scenes
"After the ceremony of signing the constitution
was gone through with, the Conservatives, having
refused to sign it, retired from the hall. The cap
itol bell was ordered to be rung in honor of the
vent, the floor was cleared, and the black and white
Radicals Joined hands, forming circle, and com
menced sort of cornfeld dance, singing such song
e as "Old John Browns soul is marching on,
Hang jeff. Davis on sour apple tree" Whil
this latter song was being sung, young rebel look
= ing on shouted, ''Three cheers for jeff Davis,
which were given with will by few in the lobb!
and galleries This occasioned rnomentary jar
e but the convention went on till it was exhausted
To-day, after passing several unimportant ordnan
ces, as the hour of adjournment had not arrived
6 outsiders were called on for a speech. Among
them was one General Little6eld, connected will
the Wallstreet Brokers of New York, and who i
, is understood, had quite hand in manipulating
the financial schemes of the convention. Genera
Littlefeld among others made quite glorifcatior
speech to the convention, and closed by calling OF
the body to aid him in singing "Old John Brown
soul is marching home," which was done. Othe
speeches and songs were given of the same charac
ter. and the exhibition closed at twelve o'clock