The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-02-24
CHI A r l. E S TON
wEDNEsDAYMoRN1Ne, FEBRuARY24, 1856
The Mercury'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
which, for half century has exercised o
potent, and not unfrequently a 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 q frst-class journals an able, inde-
pendent and eloquent advocate of Demo-
cratic principles, and in particular, as on
organ of the landed gentry of the South.
With rare consistency, with ga.lantry
which no odds could daunt, With Il tenacity
of opirion which no circumstances could
bend, it cOntended, from the beginning to
the end of its career, fur State sovereignty
against the disciples Of the school Of Iamil-
ton and Webster, for free trade against the
disciples of the school Of Clay, for African
slavery against the disciples of the school
of WilberIorce end Garrison. If, upon these
subjects, the views OF THE Mercuy were
ofteniimes extreme, if The spirit OF its dis
cus=ions was defiant of opposition, if it did
not trouble itself with the arts of concilia
tiou which are often essential to the success
of public measures, it Maintained, never
thelcss, the respect due to fearless sinceri-
ty and hearty conviction.
As o paper of the old regime, THE Mercury
ranked with the best. 1t represented the
current opinions with great clearncss and
force. 1t defended the once existing insti
tutions with q remal kablo vehemencc of
argument and iuvective. 1t was dis
lin, ,uished political Journal; and now the:
the isues 10 which it was devoted have
ceased to agitatc the public mind, the recol-
lection Of its political services and fiery
philippics will loug be cherished by lis pa
irons of the by gone age.
For, while cheeriully reading this testi
monial to Tile Mercury, we are bound to say
that its views 90 not, in our judgment, re-
feet the prospects of the new age upon
which our people have now entered. Re-
spect for ourselves aud our fathers, requires
US to reverence the past; but VIC cannot re-
build the fallen structure, and it would be
simply foolish in our people to spend the
fleeting years of opportunity, in lamenta-
ticns 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 cities ihat
they built of brick aud rebuild them with
marble.
On the other hand, we ~ould not mashi-
fy the present. 1t is chaotic, just rs every
transition state must be. Tho defeat in
battle was followed by social overthrow and
upheaYal. But little would we honor The
traditions, the sagsci,y, the blood of cur
people, ii we though: for moment that
they had no other resort than despair.
Little would we honor thc grand possibilities
that arc in u and around US, ii We tamely
surrendered ourselves rs victims to The ccr-
rup. leaders of ignoran: minorities amongst
US Our land is no Poland, seut;peled by
armed empires; no Ireland, lrmmed in by
incxorable waves aua threatening ,vies;
ours is no captive life, that can only strain at
its fetters in Emmett conspirac;es, or breathe
ou. its SORROWS in ballads like Mangan's
sighs, or in epics like the heart breaks Of
Miokiewicz. We cannot be kept under the
bay onct. We have an ample field for W TX.
We have products thGs the world must pur-
chase We have every opportunity for po-
litical combination. Already VIC hear from
Washington that tho Northwest and South
west, combining, have defeated the Middle
and Eastern States in the Hnuse, securing
for us forty millions of banking cur;eacy.
This will do very we'll for u beginning.
Immortal hate is the policy of perpetual
ruin But heart and hope and self CON-
mand and cheerful industry, arc lse policy
suited to great people, iIt sbit.n; great
country, and intending to achieve o great
career.