Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-06-05
For the Advertiser.
SKETCHES AND SCHEMES.

Ih1S article Is sent 10 your OuHctNW,
Mr.. Editor, without apology; although
the subject matter may seem to be rath-
er unreasonable. I am thus bold and
confident, because the recent convoca
ton at Atlanta was, no doubt, one OF the
most significant events of the present
century.
James NJ Smith, the Governor of Geor-
gia, under whose auspices the Conven-
ton had been called together, Was the
cynosure of all eyes. This most excel
lent gentleman looks like Governor,
and talks like a Governor, and yet he
acts like q Serrapt of the people, as of
right he ought to- do in every particular
He.is plain, prudent, practical, and phil
osophical,- 1.-The very embodimentof COM
mon sense, and of sterling integrity He
has neither the flippancy of the fopplsh
up-start, nor the hateful, and naughty
air Of the would be aristocrat. revere
that community, which has the discern
lRent to select such man as James NJ.
Smith for their chief Executive Ohoer-
Silas Woodson, native of Kentucky,
but now the Governor of Missouri, was
the lion of the Convention. of course,
he belongs to the "centre Of the world
party" which has for its leading tenet,
the unalterable opinion that st. Louis's
destined at no distant day to be the .'r:u-
cipal City of this tepaqueous globe In
private, this select son of the Western
,coods is calm, gentle, genial, and acces-
siblc. But Mhen he speaks in public,
there is firmness fn the life, fire in the
eve, music in the voice, dignity III the
bearing, wisdom in the words, and
halo of genius cncircling that noble
brow! AS trade and travel gravitate to-
wards st. Louis, so do esteem and adml-
ration flow from all hearts towards this
eloquent chief of the "border ruffians"
When he rose to address the Convention.
there was complete silence after the deaf
ening applause had subsidized. The
rise of Atlanta said he, "since the war;
is matter for great rejoicing, and her
growth is without parallel. The seat
of Empire and of power is in the Mis-
sissippi Valley. The Mississippi River
drains territory of $50, 900 square miles.
When densely populated as Massachu'
sets. this immense basin would contain
population of $4,000, 900. She already
shas population of 100000. She has
exported 1000, 900, 900 pounds of grainIto
market in one season.. We may utilize
the winds, but we cannot control them.
Commerce may be put up for awhile,
but it must have an outlet, no matter
what corporations. or combinations stand
in the way. am for building these
water transits, and would write over
them, Free as the Sea, to all withwhom
we are on amicable terms."s We should
not be bound by constitution alone,
but by the ties of commerce and mu-
tual interest, common glory, and
common destiny"'
Thomas A. Hendricks, Governor Of In
diana, arrived in Atlanta after the Con-
vention had dispatched the bulk of its
business. But his fame as fascinating
speaker and pure Statesmen, had pre-
ceded him, and he was greeted with en-
thusiastic applause when he entered the
Hall. On Wednesday night he made a
speech at the Arcade of the. Kimball
House, occupying about ten minutes,
and vet crowdine the address with live
ideas and patriotic sentiments. Hc was
conscious of having travelled long dis
lance from Indiana, and yet he found the
rcople here speaking the same language,
and governed by the same law. Com
merce would make the South and the
NORTH West know each other, and the
closest ties of lasting friendship would
be the necessary result. The demand for
cheap transportation was TOO strong to be
withheld and it would come according to
some plan, which he was not then able
fully to explain. He alluded to the fact
that the balance of trade is against rs, rs,
policy of sending more gold to Europe
than was brought to our country, would
soon be changed by the united wisdom
of the working classes.
John C. Brown, Governor Of Tcnnes-
see. was conspicuous also as the perIna-
nent President OF the Convention. lie
is so handsome and graceful, and yet so
firm, just, and ready, that all his pariia
mentary decisions were sustained without
q murmur Of opposition. At the closing
scene, Hon. C. S. Darlington, OF Virginia,
occupied the chair, while Governor Brown
delivered his valcdictory. He alluded
to the time when Atlanta was besieged
by the boys in blue, and defended by /
the boys in gray. He himself was among
the defenders of the City. After its de-
struction by the Federal forces, it had
risen Phunix-like from its ashes i'll an
incredibly short period of time. Its
presen. dimensions and magniticence
eclipsed the ante-bellum City. He was
astonished at the evidences of improve
ment on visiting this place again III the
interests of q lasting peace. When the
National salute of 81 guns was fired on
the fist day OF the Contention, his wife
was bathed in lealS, ;ls sire was remind
Ell OF the - cruel WaT. lHerc were
three ways he thsngl1t, by Which cheap
transportation might be secured. BY
State legislation, by Legislation ON the
General Government. and by building-l
connecting lines. lie woHld resort TO the
last first, but falling in that, he would try
the first He had always been III favor
of Improvement, and he desired nothing
so much rs TO see friendship and good
understanding established among all the
States Of this vast and growing Republic.
General John B. Gordon, tine Z. S. SEN
ator elect from Georgia, is a tine speci
men of young America, albeit hc is old
enough to bear upon his cheek the marks
of warfare. He is tall, erect, handsome,
and OF Il very commanding appearance.
With voice like clarion, an eye like
ON eagle, and brow impressed with
deep thought, he can with ease make
himself the delight of every audience.
The address OF welcome was delivered
bv him on Tuesday night at the kitn-
hall Uouse. Hc told US that the idea OF