The New York herald., 1873-12-06
THE WAR SPIRIT IN THE SOUTH.
The Preparations at Key West-Con-
dition OF the Defences-Ready TO Meet
the Enemy.


the Enemy.
KEY WEST Nov. 80, 1873
This island is probably the most important stra-
tegic position on Southern coast, and during
the late civil war was the rallying point for our
naval forces in the waters OF the Gulf and the
principal supply station south OF Port Royal. In
the piping times OF peace' since Appomattox
every post and place Of war has suffered from "dry
rotn and an air Of decay has prevailed where once
was bustling activity. Grants famous utterance
palsied Key West.
THE CURSE OF PEACE
seemed to have fallen on everything animate and
inanimate Even the lazy birds that float drowsily
in the still harbor looked il they in the pay
OF the Secretary OF State and were perpetually
waiting.
THE DErENCEs,
which should in peace as in times OF war, In po
sition OF so much Importance, be always ready,
were IN a wretched condition. The batteries CON-
manding the approaches through the keys were
given over to sand and rust, and the heavy guns
u5-lnch) were not always able to raise a grin
through the battered abutments. These sand hat
terles very elective, though or rather will be.
FORT TAYLOR,
the most pretentious work south Of Sumter, has
been allowed to lose what strength 1t ever had by
neglect Built alter Vauban was forgotten and
Todleben was born, il is, despite its 100 guns,
iron-clad squadron its builder would be responsible
for the death OF more men than any volunteer
now recall. 1t would be strong If knocked TO
pieces. couple OF hundred men are now employed
IN getting u IN shape, but ! am glad to see that
have examined these, and can say that few days
OF the energetic work now being employed will
render them fit to receive with due hOnOrs any
pryng craft rom cuba that may dare the peris OF
the coral keys
ARRIVALS.
Men have arrived by steamer from New York to
work machine shop for the navy, and troops
expected. There are but two companies OF the
companies in every sense OF the term. The WOr-
cester, flagship OF Rear Admiral Scott is here, as
ceiving ship. The Admiral expects to remain
until the vessels OF the feet ordered here arrive,
vigorously against the Spanish .Cubans. The citi.
zens are greatly excited, and strong hopes are
entertained that Congress will act quickly 10 VIM
dicate the honor OF the nation.
Virginia. the Caroiinas, Georgia and
Florida Ready for the Fray-spicy
Expression Of Spunky Sentiments
Noble Loyalty to the stars and Stripes.
CEDAR KEYS, Fla, Nov. so, 1873.
While travelling hither your correspondent en-
deavored to fine out much as possible the
Southern sentiment about Cuba in the states
through which he travelled, and to this end did he
quietly insnuate himself as much as possible into
every circle where he found the subject Intro.
duced.
IN VIRGINIA
the sentiment seemed unanimous for decided
policy on the part OF our government. As
very respectable old gentleman, of Richmond,
said:-"The entire nation is shocked at the
brutal butcnery OF the insurgents, and there is a
general demand for something-which something
is very vaguely represented by the press. The fact
is everybo feels what it should be- yet everybody
nesitates. and letting would wait upon dare
not hats at nonacton Spain is less able than ever
to take care Of Cuba and the authorities OF that
island are more mbecile and brutal than we have
ever known them to be- The true remedy is
would justify the government in doing So and the
world have no good cause to condemn it."
preston was heard :-"Fellows, we mean business
when we say we are willing and anxlons TO enter
the ranks to Keep up the honor OF the old nag
been belying us long enough. They will now have
q chance to try our grit and when tney are far in
the rear they will find tnat we Will fight hard
now as we did in the war. All we want is . fair
snow.n
on the other hand are to be met two or three old
men, any quantity OF women, OF all ages and con-
ditions-as to matrimony-and young and gallant
ex-bombprools who are .'spoiling" once more to
"chaw soap" and vent spleen. TO taunt young men
with excessive oyalty'' else to swear that they
had had enough OF fighting and ''ddn't want no
more IN theirn."
IN NORTH CAROLINA
was to be found a sentiment OF ''waitng for some.
the alert and while they are fully aware that some
any decided action until 'the thing comes to
head" The old "North State" may certainly be
depended upon. Among others reported so be in
iull accord with an active movement upon Cuba is
Cuban cauldron bile Pm one o. the bilers.n
SOUTH CAROLINA.
In this little state. reputed to be the seat OF the
late rebellion and known to be the feeding point
for adventurous political buzzards, there was
found to be a diversity Of sentiment enough for
white population seemed generally bent on get
ting to some other point of the Union, where there
race or color; but in the meantime, while engaged
in the object or selling their imperishable property
and getting ready TO leave, they could spare time
AN OLD CAROLINA PLANTER
who was passenger on the cars to Charleston,
entered into conversation with . passenger
sitting by the side OF the HERALD correspondent,
and IN the course OF 1t said :-'Im an old farmer,
and you you know mo- ike most people Of my ilk, hate
late war; Not one Of them returned. have but
one left. and II there was war the young rascal
refuse him. You know. think war would do us
much good IN the way Of restoring good feeling
Snaey as od sns So n
whole duty would be patriot in the mlest sense
OF the word. have been much panied since the
ton and Conkling say that the rebellion was still
rampant and that we were still anxious
an idea is preposterous, and 1t makes me very mad
20 tnlnk that there are so many people in the North
rebellion We have already been fools to suficient
extent. but certainly would be pluperfect fool
II thought that any movement that sav0red OF
secession could be sensible or IN the slightest de-
gree successful God knows we have enough to
contend with as IL is, and why should the people OF
the North still be picking upon as though had
something lerf We are exhausted now, and the
cormorants are feeding upon barren waste. All
we southern people want is to have fair show to
establish ourselves as loyal to the Union. The
politicians have made 10 so that the only way to
prove that we are loyal s TO fight for the Stars and
stripes, and we are ready to do it.v
THE MANS MANNER WAS SO EARNEST
ana MS appearance SO venerable that, In the
course OF his talk he attracted quite an audience
On the ferryb0at at Charleston there was congre-
gated quite crowd OF young men, who were
earnestly discussing the subject.
"Would you gof" said one youngster to rather
quiet companion.
mo; damned II would,r was the reply.
why Are you not willing to fight under the
old nag when the country's honor is threatenedy',
NO; that amt 1t But I've got another nag to
light under now. I'm newly married and my baby
amt but three weeks old. II II warn't for that 1