Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1902-05-13
LETTER FROM CHARLESTON.
Correspondence of the Alexandra dazetteJ
Cborlas,on 8. c.. NAV 10,

they have but little time left, for 1t will
close on the 6rst OF June. They will
be gladly welcomed pnd made to feel
at home. There always has been
bond OF friendship aud fellowship be.
tween the people OF virginia abn
South Carolina, and it is hoped there
always will be. They are probably
more alike than the people oil epy
other two States and their manners
and customs are similsr.
The exposition is q most Interesting
and creditsble one. and compares very
favorably with that OF Buffalo held last
year. The buildings are handsome
and artistic, the grounds beautiful and
the exhibits much more numerous ana
elaborate than many have been led 10
believe. The Exposition was gotten
up TO show TO the world the products
and manufactures OF the Southern
States and the West Indies, but many
OF the Northern and Western States
are we'll represented, while New York,
Pennsylvania, Illinois etc., erected large
and handsome buildings. When 1t ia
remembered that Charles ton has q
population OF less than 10000 and that
not one-hsli OF this number are white,
il will be seen what bold undertaking
il wss for her people to hold an ex-
position, but Charlett0nians were ever
brave, and il they do not succeed
financially in this effort (for the exposl-
ton has been success IN every etner
respeci) they will do more-they Will
deserve success.
While Virginia has no Building nor
separate division OF the exposition, q
number OF well-known firms and
manufacturers OF the State have most
credltAble exhibits here, all OF which
attract attention. Mr.. L. O. Motion OF
Staunton, a we'll informed and court
eous gentleman, is looking after the
interests OF his State and makes friends
of all with whom he comes in contact.
The South Carolina building is very
handsome and the most Interesting, and
here are displayed In excellent taste
the products and manufactures OF the
Palmetto State. The women OF the
State have taken much interest In the
exposition, and now, az ever, are assist
ING the msn in the effort TO build up
South Carolina. In the Woman's
building met Mrs. Blackburn Hughes,
most charming and accomplished
woman, whose zeal for her Ststsinduced
her to 20 to Itsly snd study the silk In
dustry, and now she ia here using her
utmost eDdeavors 10 encourage elk
growing and the manufacture OF silk.
MY letter must pc too short for me
to undertake any elaborate description
of Cnsrletton. Situated on The
beautiful bay formed by the confluence
of the Cooper aud Ashley rivers, 1t has
one OF the finest hsrbors 10 the world
we'll sheltered and protected By chaiu
of Qualifications, including historic
Sumter and Moultrie, which could
resist the navies OF the world. The
government is extending the forti6ca'
tons Oh SullivaB's and Morris island;
and is spending much money on tnit
work. The city has lost much OF its
cotton trade as South Carolina DOW
manufactures more cotton than she
raises, and therefore does not send tbi:
staple 10 Charleston for shipment as oil
yore, but q very extensive trade iu
fertilizers has been established and
large plants have been erected just out
side the city which employ many mer
and require large capital. Here 1 will
incidentally state that Charleston is tho
largest fertilizer manufacturing centre
in the world, and that the largest cot
ton mill In the world is now at Column
bia. Charleston has fine electric plant
and good street Car service; bel
trade in cotton, rice, naval stores, lum-
Der and fertilizers is brisk, the banks
have plenty OF money and many oil
the residents OF the city are rich
The city has Two military academies,sev
eral military companies, and fine fire
department. The churches and public
buildings are numerous and very hand
some. The Charleston News and
Courier. one Of the Oldest and best
newspapers in the South, Is ably edited
by Col. Hemphill who has for his as
sistaLt Mf. Yates Snowden, considered
By many the brightest and best equip.
ped newspaper man In his State. A
polished gentleman, genial in dis
position, big hearted and some
what q Bourbon (Which adds to the
charm OF the many; be Ia a prince
of good fellows, and has hosts OF friends
throughout the city and State. Another
bri 1ht newspaper man connected with
the News and Courier Ia Mr.. John
Marshall, formerly OF Fauqnier county,
Va. who has won laurels in his pro-
fession since be came TO South Caro-
lima.
The chief attractions OF Charleston
however to a visitor are her beautiful
homes, her lovely women and her court
ly men. The residences along the battery
aud on Legare and some Of the other
streets are oil beautiful design. and have
an air of elegance and refinement about
them-the very ideal OF a Southern
gebtleman's home. In these homes
one still finds the same refinement,
grace and culture for which Charles.
ton has ever been noted. The
society is exclusive perhaps 10 degree
not equslled by that OF any city 10 the
country, aud here ia one place where
the epread Of commercislism has not
turned things topsy-turvy; where
money is not all potential, but where
lineage, refinement and merit hold
sway, and without which one does not
enter here. Cbsrleston's cemetery is
one of the most beautiful spots on earth.
It's lakes, It's immense live oaks with
hanging moss, its luxurisDt palms, aud
handsome monuments, make one wish
to live to enjoy Its beauties, but its
lovely surroundings take away much
OF the terrors OF the grave, and make
one think be would be content to
rest there. Quaint and beautiful old