The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-14

gigantic struggle between the States from the
GREAT powers, whose favorable action was SO
confidently expected by the confederate Exc
cutiye and the people Of the South. ID ins
opinion, no considerations based on tne dlmln-
ished supply of that mighty plant (which keeps
steam expanding, machinery In motion, and
the lightning traversing the wires" or any
other material Interest likely to be seriously
affected by the war between the States, would
be found sufficiently potent, In the briei time
so generally supposed, to induce tne Englsn
or French Cabinet to interfere for the repres-
sion Of the assaults made oy Ine sPisis G VI the te
age upon the Chinese wall maintained oy the
South against the public opinion ot the CIVIL
lied world, the Areopagus of modern times.
He thought that wise direction OF the Foreign
relations of the Confederate Government
would rather seek to Interest IN its laVOr
those great nations whom similarity OF
institutions might admonlsh tnaE tnelr
to a certain extent bound up with the
South But Dis alter pisu,n, and when long
etterward views somewhat similar 10 those oil
Governor Plckens were presented to the span
lsh Secretary Of Foreign Affairs, II was 700
late. Mr. Seward had anticipated the Rich
mond Cabinet. During the administrator OF
Governor Plckens there arose an eXcllcd con-
troversy growing out of the continued exist.
ence ofthe convention, the Executive Council
and its acts, involving questions as to the
nature OF sovereignty, the power oil the Legls-
latures calling conventions Of the people, ana
the power of those conventions when called
and in existence, which had been discussed 10
the Nullihcatlon Convention ana tne Leglsla.s
lures OF that day, about which the doctors OF
the States Right party had then differed, which
had not been definitely settled, and which
now, In the midst OF raging war, awoKe and
stirred themselves from their Daedal couch.
Arguments In favor of the legality OF the Coun-
Gil and Its acts were ably and elaborately pre-
sented by Its advocates, and Governor pickens
ably, firmly and zealously defended DIS views
Of the Executive prerogatlve, and tue consul
tutional partition ofpowers between the dlt1er-
ent departments OF the government. The
voice of the people, as evlnced In the fall cleo
tlons OF 1862, and the acts OF the Legislature
then elected, was averse to what they regard
ed as an emporium in iTnperio" But the &C.
ton Of the convention, providing Tor the dis
solution Of Itself and the council, soon With
drew the question from the domain of practi-
cal, to that Of speculative politics, and all cx-
element on the subject ceased. As practl-
cal question 1t seems not probable that IL Will
speedily be resurrected again; as specula-
tive question ''su6 jadice lis est" and Is likely
so to remain.
Governor Plckens, OF the expiration Of his
term of office, retired to private life, after two
years of excitement which would have tried
nerves Of iron. From this retirement he
emerged but once again Into public view as q
member OF the convention Of 1865, called by
Provisional Governor Perry, under President
JohnsOns reconstruction programme. be
took prominent part In the debates on some
OF the leading provisions of the constitution
then adopted, and consistent and logical in his
States Rights theories and principles TO the last,
moved and carried an ordinance for the repeal
of the Secession ordinance OF l860-the repeal
affirming the past validity of that which Is re-
pcaled.
After his retirement lie returned, with the
hcartlness OF = boy let free from school, to ag-
rlcutural pursuits, the fav0rito occupation OF
the Carolina gentleman, for which he ever had
passion, but from which the tolls of public
life had long debarred him, and he enjoyed to
the last (whnt many who have held hI h pub
lie station have not been 80 fortunate 10 pos
sess,) the esteem, respect and affection OF his
ncighbors, and unbOunded popularity among
the people of his own district; a popularity
based upon their regard as well for his pure
character aud moral worth, as his intellectual
endowmcnls for though ever courteous and
aflable, he contemncd tho fawnlng arts which
sometimes avail demagogucs on tho musings
and In popular canvaSses, aud with high ana
low the bore without abuse the grand Old
name of gentleman"
Edgcwood, after the long absence OF its
master, was again thrown open, and became,
as IN former days. the abode Of elegance, re-
flnement and hospitality; the resort or Wit.
beauty and talent: and even after It's masters
fortunes were shattered by the disastrous
crash with which the Confederate Govern
mcnt and the property OF the south ieu, II
was still TO the visitors what IL ever had been
what Holland House was 70 the Whlg c0terle
the most delightful Of houses. Tho serper-
tine avenues and tho pleasant grounds, the
house over whose door might have been In
scribed, as over Earl Cowpers, "iuud' est"
the Library, the paintings, the works Of art
still remain.
The graceful and accomplished mistress who
presided over all this lovely scene, and whose
smile was wont In happier days TO light up as
with magic the long galleries and dusky corrl-
dors, still remains-chastened, and In her
widows weeds. But the cordial grasp Of the
hand with which tho master OF tho house greet
ed his guest; his genial welcome which COM
blned courtly hospitality with rural abandon,
his kindness far more admirable Than grace"
which put the humbleEt visitor at his case
these ore no longer there; for that master to
whom these belonged, after long and Inger-
Ing Illness, checred by all the consultations Of
the Christian religion, sleeps quietly In the
village churchyard. He has lett =" no
son of his succeeding" to perpetuate his
name, but he has LEFT contributions to debates
on great occasions, speeches on vital subjects,
striking addresses and important messages,
tle cOleCLlOu duu puuICdtlOH vi "luCu "ouiu
be his attest memorial. It. Is due to history, 10
the State and to him. And Independent of
what editors, biographers and collectors may
do for his future fame, he has left much which
Is lndissolubly entwlned with the most exciting
passages In the history Of South Carolina.
And what can never be forgotten.
ITO her young sons, the model Of a life
Mild In It's calm, majestic In its strife;
To her rich history, blocks OF purest oro-
To her grand blazon, one proud quartcrlng more"
c1ueciQl Notices.