National Republican., 1886-09-13
Charleston wants Helm.

Dy tue CntastrOpnes OF lire, peStl ence,
famine, civil war, and carpet baggers, we
found her q few weeks ago still pressing on,
with all the vigor Of q prosperous and hope
| full community, TO the prize OF her high
calling among the commercial centers OF
| the United States. "Instead OF repining,"
writes Col. Mcclure, "over the countless
woes which betel them In the discontinue
Of war, the emancipation OF slaves, the de-
structlon OF wealth, aud revolution in
popular government to which they were
not only strangers, but trained to mlsun-
derstand, they (the people Of Charleston)
have rapidly rebuilt their commerce, en-
larged their industries, quickened their sur
rounding producers, and entered the race
to regain their position and wealth with
heroism and steady endurance that have
accomplished marvellous results. But It
will require years to restore the thrift that
reared the beautiful homes and churches
and schools and other monuments OF wealth
and culture by which old Charleston marked
her magnificent progress, and there is par
d0Rdbic decay In the external signs Of the
city, while energy and growing advance
ment are visible in all the channels Of bust
ness enterprise"
Such comments, made by one who has
given special study aud attention to the
progress Of the new south, were published
in book form at the beginning OF the present
| year. The authors countrymcn will
unanimously agree with him in accepting
the pardonable decay in certain quarters as
the happy aud unexpected omen OF the new
| birth-a birth which has been so rudely dis
| turbed by the visitation OF nature, mini
tested under the terrible aud disastrous
conditions of earthquake.
Hardness is proverbially the parent OF
hardness, and it is altogether probable that
this latest catastrophe, instead OF daunting
| the people Of Charleston, will have been
the means Of neryipg them to higher effort
in placing their city In the fore front of
southern progress. But there is one indis.
putable fact about the present position. II
Charleston is to rise from her present de-
bris 1t is absolutely necessary that she
should have prompt and generous assist
ance from the other states Of the Union.
The case is one In which the old maxim pre-
eminently applies-"Ie gives twice who
gives quickly"-and not only must the aid
be Immediate but, to be effective in the
face Of approaching winter, private contri-
buttons must be supported aud sup
plemented by the government, as
in the case OF Chicago aud other
communities whose misfortunes were
not so completely beyond their own control
as are those OF Charleston. The northern
states have, with good reason, congratulated
themselves upon the magnanimity Of their
feelings towards the south, when that Sec
tion was labonously passing through the
period of reconstruction. The present
affords signal opportunity for manifestIng
tie highest civic virtue by combining hear
tily to build up, not the fortunes, but the
homes Of brave and industrious people.
The recent earthquake should not be the
means Of deterring a single dollar finding
its wGy to Charleston. Where such dis
turbances have once occurred-eXcept In
the well-known volcanic centers-they are
never likely to appear again, and, IL people
who have had the terrifying experience OF
such an upheaval are satisfied to remain
upon the scene Of disaster, 1t may be ac-
ceptcd beyond doubt that they have the
fullest confidence in their fortune. A coun-
try then, like America, which is world
famous for its generous humanity, as well
as for its widely difIused and almost illimlt-
able wealth, can be relied on to help them
selves. Let all the churches, associations,
corporate bodies, and individuals flow into
the led city, as free gift, to be re-
duced hundred fold In other ways when
good times come again. Let loans at fair
interest be made by the different banking
establishments which have most ready access
to full knowledge OF the security In law
and other property TO be offered by the in
habitants OF Charleston. Let all oppor-
tunitiCs Of commerce and, for a time, all
special privileges Of different mercantile
interests be offered; and, above all, let the
strongest influence be brought to bear upon
our government for the purpose of building
up at once, even in temporary way, such
places Of shelter as may enable the people
TO tide over the hardest part Of the winter.
"The people Of South Carolina" writes
Mr.. Mcclure, "are nothing II not heroic,
and, right or wrong, they are sincere, earn
est, and brave. y The heroic quail.
ties of the Cavalier and the Puritan have
written these momentous chapters In the
annals Of American history, and tae same
heroic qualities are now leading In the res
toralion Of the south to prosperity, aud on
basis that must speedily give the recon
structed states a degree of substantial
wealth and power that was never dreamed
Of before the war;"
These words were written and published
only short time before the earthquake, and
wehaye confidence enough in the resources
of the country to feel that southern progress
is not to be defeated by landslide.