The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-02-24
G H A r L E S ON
WEDNESDAY, MORNING, FEBRUARY "a, 1856.
Tho NIcroury's Farewell.

We print, to- day, the farewell addressed
to the subscribers of The Charleston Mercury
by the last editor of that paper-a paper
winch, for half century has exercised q
potent, and not unfrequently controlling,
influence over the policy and fortunes of the
State of South Carolina.
When James Gordon Bennett was EN-
ployed in translating from the Spanish
newspapers for one of the daily journals Of
Charleston, The Mercury ranked lowest upon
the list. 1t was soon, however, recognized
as tirst-class journals an able, indie
pendent and eloquent advocate of Demo
cratic principles, and in particular, as an
organ of the landed gentry of the South.
With rare consistency, with ga.lantry
which no odds coold daunt, with tenacitv
OF opinion which no circumstances could
bend, 1t contended, from the beginning to
the end of its career, for State sovereignty
against the disciples of the school of Hamil
ton and Webster, for free trade against the
disciples of the school of Clay, for African
slavery against the disciples Of the school
of Wilberforce and Garrison. If, upon these
subjects, the views Of The Mercury were
often,imes extreme, if the spirit of its dis
cussions was defiant of opposition, if it did
not trouble itself with the arts of concilia-
ton which are often essential to the success
of public measures, it maintained, never
theless, the respect due to fearless sinceri-
ty and hearty conviction.
AS paper Of the old regime, The Mercury
ranked with the best. It. represented the
current opinions with great olearness and
force. 1t defended the once existing iusti-
tutions win remarkable vehemence of
argument and invective 1t was q dis
tlnguished political journal; and now that
tho lsues to which it was devoted have
ceased to agitate the public mind. the recol-
lection of its political services and fiery
philippics will long be cherished by its pa
irons of the by gone age.
For, while cheerfully reading this testi-
monial to The Mercury, we are bound to say
that its views do not, in our judgment, re-
fect the prospects of the new age upon
which our people have now entered. Re-
spect for ourselves and our fathers, requires
us to reverence the past; but we cannot re-
build the fallen structure, and it would be
simply foolish in our people to spend the
heeting years of opportunity, in lamenta-
tions among the sacred ruins. Something
different must arise; let us help to rear it,
and make it better if we can. The fathers
OF the republic will not be disturbed on
their high seats, if we take the citi es that
they built Of brick and rebuild them with
marble.
On the other hand, we would not magni-
fy the present. 1t is chaotic. just as every
transition state must be. The defeat in
battle was followed by social overthrow and
upheaval. But little would we honor the
traditions, the sagaoity, The blood of our
people, il we thought for moment that
they had no other resort than despair.
Little would we honor the grand possibilities
that are in US and around us, if we tamely
surrendered ourselves as victims to the cor
rupt leaders Of Ignorant minorities amonest
us Our land is no Poland, sentineled by
armed empires; no ireland, hemmed in by
inexorable waves aud threatening nnyies:
ours is no captive life, that can only strain at
its fetters in Emmett conspiracies, or breathe
out its sorrows in ballads like Mangan's
sighs, or in epics like the heart-breaks of
Mickiewicz. We cannot be kept under the
bayonet. We have an ample field for work
We have products that the world must pur-
chase. We have every opportunity for po-
litical combination. Already we hear from
Washington that the Northwest and South
west, combining, have defeated the Middle
and Eastern States in the House, securing
for us forty millions Of banking currency.
This will do very we'll for beginning.
immortal hate is the policy Of perpetual
ruin But heart and hope and self COM
mand, and cheerful industry, are the policy
suited to great people, inhabiting great
country, and intending to achieve a great
career
GEORGIA is certainly awake on the sub
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