Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-02-26

10
Of inward of eight hundred miles and
more than fifty hours, we reached the
sGulf City" safely on yesterday morning
So raw and bleak was the atmosphere as
we steamed down the Tensaw River and
through the Mobile Bay, which terminated
our long but pleasant Journey tha' we
couId we'll have supposed that we we're
approaching Portland, Maine, instead OF
Mobile Alabama, as our steamer rounded
n her wharf. But the whole souled, warm
hearted greeting with which We were re-
ceiyed and with which We have been
treated have more than counterbalanced all
the gloom and ehilliness of the weather.
The wintry atmosphere and murky skies
have been made "glorious summer by
the genial Iiberality and hospitality of the
Mobile people.
As long, and under other circumstances
rs tedious and uncomfortable as our trip
under ordinary circumstances might have
been, it was rendered pleasant by the con-
siderate kindness and attention of the
several gentlemen who had US in charge
during itG continuance. Captains Belden
of our own Road. and Moore of the South
Carolina Railroad are particularly remem-
bered in this connection. Captain Hern-
don. of the Atlanta and West Point Road,
favored the ordinary attentions, usual on
such occasions, with certain superficial
comforts, which links his Kindness with
the most agreeable recollections Of the
tourney. On ali hands so much consldera
ton has been mcted ont to me on the first
"ticiql trip since my connection with the
press that do not know whether to be
more hurt at my personal inslgnifcanco or
pleased With my editorial Importance.
AtAiken, South Carolina, We were joined
by Capt Dawson. Of the Charleston AeWS,
whose ability, industry and business i'll
tegrity, IN connection with his partner, has
made their paper one OF the leading jour
nails of the country. Capt. Dawson is one OF
the most courteous gentlemen and pleasant
companions with whom We have met. At
Augusta our party was enlivoned by the
addition of Randall, of the ConstittaiondJiSt,
whose humor sparkles and efferyesces with
the brilliancy and flavor Of rich wine, and
Walsh, of the Chronicle and Sentinel, whose
varied information upon everything re-
lating to Georgia, made him a most pleas
ant companion. From Atlanta, Major
Steele, Of the L,teAiqencei., tho Aestor of tho
Georgia press, whose ripe experience and
agreeable manners added 1eet to our jour
ney. ii different points the delegation
was Increased. Col. Lamar, Of the Colum
bus SEN, whose untiinching devotion to
principle and whose sterling abilities have
done SO much to save Georgia from the
ra7enous wolves which seek her destruc
ton. Major Thompson, Of the Savannah
Ne,rs, whose vivacity and wit are more
youthful now;n their strength aud brilliancy
than when, more than twenty years ago, he
put the country in q broad grin by detail
ing the difficulties and humors of Major
Jones Courtship, joined us at Montgomery.
Mr. Reese, OF the Macon Messenger, and
Col Stiles, of the Albany Ne,0S, gentlemen
Of standing and influence in the State, were
important and pleasant members OF the
party. The presence of the ladies, who &C.
comparied their husbands, lent charm
and fascination which was not the least
pleasant feature of the occasion.
South Carolina does not present, at least
along the route OF travel, as healthful and
thrifty an appearance as [ had hoped to
see. Like our own State, she seems to be
weighed down by the load Of political ma
Lightly and ignorance which hangs as an
immovable incubus upon her prosperity.
Her people do not seem to be inspired with
the dawning OF promising future which
is awaking her neighbors of Georgia
into confidence and cheerfulness. Politi-
cal prescriptions and profigate, dishonest
and ruinous expenditures of the public
money are crushing the spirits and retard-
ing the progress of the people of the two
Carolinas
We, however, travelled with several gen.
tlemen from the North, seeking invest
ments for themselves, oras the agents of cap
italists and corporations, looking for eligi-
BILE situations and desirable localities for
the establishment of manufactures of one
kind or another. All expressed themselves
as plesed with our people and country,
and agreeably surprised at the sentiments
which prevailed. Some had come with
many misgivings for THEM personal safety,
and all with the expectation of being treat
Cd with discourtesy, If not with positive in
suit, so completely and successfully had
the miserable iaclz-a-napes who write
for Northern journals, and who edit Radical
papcrs in the South. falsifed the real con-
dition of things in this section. How con-
temptibIo are such fellows as come among
us, and are not satisfied in usurping our Off
ces, oycrtufning our laws. trampling upon
our ancient customs and outraging our
most sacred symGathios, but must preIu-
dice the world against us by system of
lies as infamous rs they are false How
much more despicable are those bastards
of our own soil, who are purchased by the
emolUments of office and the hlandish-
.nents Of rower, to aid these harpies in be.