The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1873-03-27
Correspondence of the Journal
CHARLESTON, March 1S, 1878

CHARLESTON, March ID, 1919
A somewhat protracted sojourn in 'The
CITY by the Sea-" has enabled me to recall
many pleasant "reminiscences pertaining to
asfe.5ellun, times, and to note the striking
differences of ao,o and then. Would that /
could say that there was advantage for the
present. While painfully impressed, how
ever, with the tremendous evils that, like an
ill-omened bird, sits and broods over the
prosperity of this as Of many other sister
cities Of the South, yet I am not disposed,
as some are, 10 think that we are "totally
ruined" No indeed, there is life in the old
land vet, and there is more elasticity in our
Southern fibre than We ourselves are aware
Of. Were it net 50, We would have been
crushed, ere this, by the incubus of dishon-
est taxation and other legionary evils that
have been imposed upon us. -.
We feelproud ofout old city as perambula-
ting her streets we see how she has nobly
borne herself amid depressing influences that
have gathered at times as if to annihilate.
Slowly but steadily she is overcoming pom
derous difficulties and recovering her former
appearance. Wise forbearance, industry and
silent determination have accomplished much,
and will, in time, enable the grand old his
toric town to WELD once more a mighty in.
huence.
There is one thing needed, however, to
assist our metropolis to recuperate more ra-
pidly and to assume the position Of import
ance which should belong to her among the
Atlantic cities. 1t is the assistance Of the
entire State-ths duty of every village, town
and county to help build her up by concen-
t.ating the business interest in this beauti-
FIJI mart. Will our people never learn to
first patronise themselves and to concentrate
their advantage at home ? Do the citizens Of
the State of New York, Pennsylvania and
Massachusetts, ignore their own cities and
build upourss Why do we not follow their
wise example? Itshould notbe claimed that
Northern cities present greater advantages.
Charleston can, and does at this time, present
superior odvaaiage, all things considered,
{, tvothirds Of our merchants, who annually
,ad semiannuaily pass By Che attrsctions Of
? ker xeIL6Iled ware houses, to pay a-pleasant
visit to Northern cities Our metropolis has
claims on us that should be needed, and we
believe the day is not far distant when pur-
chasers throughout our state will demand
that attention be paid to these Vigorous
prosperity once attained here, capital estab-
lished, and rcHux influence would soon ex-
tend our entire territory.
Nor are local attractions wanting; first
class Hotels and comfortable boarding houses
are prepared to furnish warm Southern
welcome; attractive stores, wholesale and re-
tail; public buildings of elegant styles of ar
chitecture; palatial private residences in
every part of the city works Of enterprise
thst would astonish some unacquainted with
their existence; beautiful harbor abound
ing features Of historic interest, and the un-
rivalled Battery drives and pronlenades-
these all combine to attract and satisfy the
most fastidious, and are all our own.
One other item, Mr.. Editor, and very i'm
portaut, is the religious tone Of this city
He who stays over sabbath-let him go where
he may to hear the Gospel preached-will
not be disappointed. Whatever his denOmi-
national prediction, he may enter any
sanctuary of his choice and be uno8ended
no political harangues are preached in Char
lesion. The citizen Of Camden feels domi.
--cilated in his own pew while listening to the
familiar accents of such divines as Revs.
Wightman, johnson, and Bracket.
1t was our good fortune on last Sabbath
morning to listen to venerable servant Of
God, who has been for some weeks visitor
in our hospitable city, Rev. Nehemiah Ad
ans, D. d., Of Boston, fayorably known at
the South for his boldness in presenting at
time Of strong political sensation, "South
Side View of Slavery" We always honor a
man who dares to express his honest convc
tions, based upon Bible truths, when these
convictions are known to be unpopular.
Repairing to the same capacious edifce
Bethel Church, in the evening, we found the
gifted and eloquent pastor. DR.. j. I. Wight
man, engaged, by request, in the delivery Of
a stirring Temperance sermon. Feeling as
sured that even a report Of 50 successful
discourse would please your temperance
loving readers, am induced TO send you ar