The Georgia weekly. (Greenville, Ga.) 1861-186?, May 08, 1861, Image 2

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(From the Atlanta Southern Confederate.) ( ARRIVAL OF VICE-PRESIDENT A. ! H. STEPHENS-HIS ELOQUENT SPEECH. f . Mr. Stephens arrived on the 12 o’- clock train on Tuesday night, and was enthusiastically received by a large m ttwrtefre* in anticipation of his arrival. Before the cars had ceased to piove, it was known a\l through the crowd that he was on board, and, amid vociferous caU»j»nd,oh«»eß*, he appeared on the platSorn* of the cars, and addressed the assembled audience a3 follows: My Fellow Citizens : L-think <he-| country may be considered safe, since your interest in its welfare has brought you out at this hour of the night. I have just returned from a mission to old Virginia. It will be gratifying to you, I know, to state that she is not only out of the Union, but she is a member of the Southern Confederacy, and has sent delegate to our Congress, now assembled. North Carolina will have her delegates with us, also, in a few days. Her Legislature meets to morrow, and I doubt not she will be out of the Union before Saturday night. The fires whioh first kindled the old Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence are again burning thro’- out all her domain. From all that we have learned in the last few days, Tennessee will soon side with the South, and be anew star in our shining gal axy. The news is also good from Kentucky, though I have nothing of ficial from there. A few of her pub lic men are trying to put the brakes down on her people; but they seem unwilling to submit any longer. From Missouri the news is most cheering, and Arkansas will soon be with us. But the best of all is, that Mary land—gallant little Maryland—right under the guns of Lincoln, and the threats of Blair to make it a free State, if the blood of the last white man has to be shed in accomplishing it—has resolved, to a man, to stand by the South! She will be arrayed against Abolitiondom, and cling to the South; and if she has not dele gates with us now, she is in open defi ance of Lincoln and his Government, and will soon be with us, even by rev olution. The cause of Baltimore is the cause of us all, from the Atlantic to the Rio Grande. Her hands must be held up, and triumph must be as sured to her. You have probably seen it stated that overtures of peace had been made by Lord Lyons, and perhaps by other parties. I tell you it is not true, and is only intended to deceive you. It is also said that the Lincoln Government has done so. This may be true ; but if it is, it is all for treach- For weeks they were kept there tinder the most positive assurance of a pa cific policy and intentions towards us ——all with the basest motives that can actuate a treacherous heart. If peace propositions are made by them now, I conjure you not to trust them for-a single moment—they only intend to deceive and betray—to lull your ener gies and suspicions, till they secure some cowardly advantage. Our enemies say they only want to protect the public property ; and yet I have it from unquestioned authority, that they have mined all the public buildings in Washington—the Capitol and all the other Departments—for the purpose of destroying them.— They have called out 75,000 men they say to protect the public proper ty now in their possession, and retake and protect that which they have been forced to give up ; yet, wherever they are now, they have prepared to des troy the property, and have destroyed, or attempted to destroy, all that we have compelled them to relinquish, because of their intentions to use it for the purpopose of subjugating us. Sumter was mined to be blown up on leaving it. Much of the property was burned up at Harper’s Ferry, in hastily vacating that place ; and an attempt was made to burn up not only all the public property, on leaving Gosport Navy Yard, but the whole city of Norfolk. This is one of the most remarkable instances on record, where Providence was on our side. Plans were laid to burn up the Navy Yard and the whole city. The in cendiary fires were lighted ; and, if their intentions had succeeded, such a conflagration has never been witnessed on this continent, and would have been second only to the burning of Mos cow ; but, just at the critical moment, before the ravages had extended, the wind turned ! The winds of Heaven turned, and stayed the spread of the devouring element. The same wind that kind Heaven sent to keep off the fleet at Charleston till Sumter was reduced, came to the relief of Nor folk at the critical moment. Provi dence was signally on our side. They attempted to blow up the Dock, the most expensive one on the continent, but there was a break in the train they had laid, and it failed. They at tempted to burn down the old Penn sylvania, Germantown, and the Mer rimac. They set the match while they endeavored to get out of the way of their intended destruction;, but the vessels sunk before the fuse caught— another remarkable instance of the interposition of Providence on our be half, and the strongest evidence of our rectitude. We were right at first— and are right now, and shall keep ourselves righ.t to the end. -.•;wh*t.js .to take , place. before the end, I 'khojv jiqj. . A t&reaifijdng par is upon us, made, by those who have j no regard for right! We. fight for, our homes, our fathers aud mothers, j our wives, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters, and neighbors! They for’ .money! The hirelings and mercen aries of the North are all hand in J^iAgainsiyou. As I told you when 1 addressed you a few days ago, Lincoln may bring his seventy-five thousand soldiers against us; but seven times five thoygaffll men can never conquer us. ' We flfH now Maryland' and "Virginia, and all the Border States with Us. »\£e_have te . u millions of people with us, heart and hand, to defend us to the death. We can call out a million of people, if need be; and when they are all cut down, we can call out an other, and still another, until the last man of the South finds a bloody grave, rather than submit to their foul dicta tion. But a triumphant victory and in dependence, with an unparelleled career of glory, prosperity and progress, awaits us in the future. God is on our side, and who shall be against us ? None but his omnipotent hand can de feat us in this struggle. A general opinion prevails that Washington City is soon to be attack ed. On this subject I can only say, our object is peace. We wish no ag gression on any one’s rights, and will make none. But if Maryland secede3, the District of Columbia will fall to her by reversionary right—the same as Sumter to South Carolina—Pulaski to Georgia, and Pickens to Alabama. When we have the right, we will de mand the surrender of Washington, just as we did in the other cases, and will enforce our demands at every hazard, and whatever cost. And here let me say .that our policy and conduct from the jh'st has been right, and shall be to the last. I glory in this con sciousness of our rectitude. It may be that “ whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad.’’;". But for Lincoln’s wicked and foolish war proclamation, the border States —some of them at least would still have lingered in the hope that the ad ministration and its designs were not so basely treacherous, as that docu ment has shown them to be. Tennes see and other States would have lin gered for some time. Now, all the Slave States are casting in their lots with us, and linking their destinies with ours. We might afford to thank Lincoln a little, for showing his hand. It may be that soon the Confederate flag with fifteen stars will be hoisted upon the dome of the ancient Capitol. If so, God’s will be done is my prayer. Letups do nothing that is wrong. Let usreommit our, cause into His hand— perform our whole duty, and trust, in Aliirt for the crowning results. sayjtoyou, but my strength will ist permit, even if it were necessary for your encouragement—but it is not. I find that you are fully up to the music, that you thoroughly compre hend our condition, and are resolved to do your whole duty. I find our people everywhere are alive to their interests and their duty in this crisis. Such a degree cf popular enthusiasm was never before seen in this Country. I find my fellow citizens all along the railroad line, eager to hear the news and to speed our glorious cause with their services. This is the fifth speech which I have made since I left home this evening at six o'clock. In my town yesterday, a meeting was held, a company was organized, and their services tendered to our government. A flag was made in two hours by our patriotic ladies and presented to the Company, and $2,200 was raised to equip the Company and take care of the needy families of soldiers who may go off to'fight for our Country. My friends ! forget not the Soldier ! Send him contributions to make him comfortable while he is in the service. Take care of his family while he is absent. Employ your hands and your substance in doing works of char ity in this day of your country’s trial. If any should fall in the battle remember the orphan and the widow, and take care of them. God will hless you in such noble performances of a patriotic duty. The news from Washington is very interesting. It has been stated in the newspapers—first, that the Vir ginia troops had occupied Arlington Heights, just across the Potomac from the President's House; and again, that Lincoln’s troops had occupied that point. My information is, that both these statements are incorrect. Lincoln, however, has occupied George town Heights. He has from fifteen to twenty thousand soldiers stationed in and about Washington. Troops are quartered in the Capitol, who are defacing its walls and ornaments with grease and filth, like a set of vandal hordes. The new Senate Chamber has been converted into a kitchen and quarters —cooking and sleeping appar atus having actually been erected and placed in that elegant apartment. The Patent Office is converted into Soldiers’ barracks and is ruined with their filth. The Post Office Depart ment is made a storehouse for barrels of flour and bacon. All the depart ments are appropriated to base uses, and despoiled of their beauty by those treacherous destructive enemies of our country. Their filthy spoliations of the public buildings and works of art at the Capitol, and their preparations to destroy them, are strong evidence to my mind that they do not intend to hold or defend the place; but to abandon it after, haying despoiled and TH E GEORG I A", WEEKLY. laid it in ruins. Let them destroy it savage like—if they will. We will rebuild it. Wo will make the struc tures n»ore glorious. Phoenix like, new and ifioro substantial structures will riso from its ashes. Planted anew, under the auspices of our su perior institutions, it will live and flourish throughout all ages. ' 3 A Vigorous War Polioy. We clip the following able editorial article from the Montgomery Adver tiser, May 2d, and commend if to the careful perusal of our readers! There is every indication at present that the war which has been forced upon the people of the South by the Northern Government, will not be suffered to lag for the want of vigor find energy in its prosecution. The hosts from the North are to be met at every point on our borders where they may dare to show themselves, and with such a spirit as now animates the ar mies of the South, we cannot doubt that they will ere long strike a blow which will carry terror to the hearts of our enemies. Where the blow will be struck cannot at present be safely predicted, but that something decieiv-e --will result from the extensive move ments now going on, no one who has any knowledge of the character of the men at the head of the Southern for ces, or of the feelings of the soldiers themselves, or of the spirit of the peo ple in these States, will pretend to doubt. In the message to Congress .presented by President Davis on Mon day last, he says it is proposed, in view of the exigencies of the times, to organize and hold in readiness an army of one hundred thousand men, and he adds, if further forces shall be needed Congress will be confidently appealed to for authority to call into the field additional numbers of our noble spirit ed volunteers. The President recommends Such leg islation by Congress as will make the army of the Confederate States strong and effective. He evidently does' not anticipate an idle and undecisive cam paign. He doubtless expects that the enemy will take advantage of the en thusiastic war feeling now prevalent at the North ; that they will make an immediate attempt to crush us out, by the mere force of numbers, and he wishes, therefore, to have a force un der his command, well organized and armed, sufficient to meet the Northern hordes and drive them back in confu sion. The measures which are .being adopted by the Government seem likely to secure this, and it. will not be long before we shall have in the field a body of men who, fighting on their own soil, and in defence of their dear . esUrights. will be able to bid defiance A vigorous war policy is the proper one to be pursued, if success is desired. The South, especially, is interested in making the conflict a decisive one, and bringing it to a close as speedily as possible. The Southern army is not made up of hireling soldiers, who have volunteered to secure the monthly pay and rations, and consequently are willing to have a settlement indefinitely postponed. The Southern volunteers are the flower of the Southern country. They are gentlemen by birth and edu cation—nature’s noblemen—-who have freely offered to pour out their blood and treasure on the altar of their country. They willkeep the field un til the independence of their native land is acknowledged, but as they go out to fight rather than to secure the pay for their services, they Will be' much better satisfied with a prompt and vigorous prosecution of the war. With a very large proportion of the Northern army the case will be differ ent. The troops of that section will be mustered from the purlieus of the cities—the hangers-on at bar-rooms and gambling dens ; from among the starving denizens of the over-crowded manufacturing villages—men who can not expect to obtain soldiers’ wages in any other way. They will of course be interested in doing aalittle fighting as possible, and also extremely anxious to remain where they can get some thing to eat and obtain remunerative wages. The difference, in the compo sition of the two armies will be suffi cient to convince any one that a vig orous policy is the one most likely to be successful. Another fact in favor of sharp and vigorous campaigns, which will no doubt receive the proper attention from onr government, is the necessary expense which must attend keeping a large body of men in camp, doing nothing. It will be necessary for onr people to husband their resources as much as possible, and no more expen ses should be incurred than are abso lutely necessary. Besides, vigorous movements on the part of our troops will have a great moral effect, and show to the world their capability to repel invasion, and defend the position' which the Confederate States have as sumed before the world. We know the people of the South are willing to give of all they possess, both of men and money, to secure the independence of the South, and they place implicit confidence in the men who have the conduct of affairs at this juncture.— We believe they will not be disappoint ed in their expectations of a vigorous prosecution of the war, or ever have reason to think the confidence in our leaders misplaced. Why is eating bread and milk with a fork, like two lovers kissing ? Be lt is hard.-to get-enough-of it. -- - ffjie (Smgia PffMij. WEDNESDAY, MAY 8. K THE WAR SPIRIT. From all indications that reach us, we are Ted to believe that the war ajflrit of the whole American people, from the forests of Maine to the bor ders of the Rio Grande, and eveh to the shores of the Pacific, is in a state of ferment unparalleled in the annals of any ancient or modern nation. Os the feeling of the aggressive and despotic North we are forced to judge from the meagre, yet terse dispatches flashed over the wires of the telegraph, or from clippings of Black Republi can sheets, With now and then a letter from residents of the North. Yet there can be no doubt, that the blood thirsty and tyrannical policy whioh, a few weeks since, seemed concentrated in a comparatively small portion of Yankeedotn, has spread, and now ani mates tljjs giant bulk of entire Free soildom. If we are to rely upon the hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and the mill ions of money being gathered against us, for onp inexorable purpose—the complete and final subjugation of the South—the fate of the young Repub lic of Confederate States must be de . cided by a struggle which shall shake the political, social and mercantile world to its very foundations. Os the war fever of our own gal lant people little needs be said. One would be blind not to see, deaf Hot to hear, and idiotic not to know it. But between the motives for war of the South titid North there is a Vast differ ence, arid between the men who will fight, on either side, a still greater. This difference is simply and emphat ically between Right and Wrong; and the finale of the tremendous strife Will e nd in the complete humiliation of the North. The material that is to combat us, is palpably inferior to that which is burning to meet and overwhelm it. The Very flower of our young and mid dle-aged men, officered by the cream of the elite of the late United States Army and Navy, and animated to the battle by the pUrfeat patriotism, as well as by it* nativeHre and chivalry, will .peaUback and pursue, far Tntothe’ fie!3s oTFreesoilcfonf, those mercenary hordes of the money-lov ing and power-usurping North.— “\\ hom the Gods would destroy they first make mad !” and the policy of the Black Republican party is cutting its own threat—'to use a homely, but most apt metaphor, the Abolition Ad ministration is an overgrown hog, swimming a torrent, and Will tear out its windpipe before half its purpose can be accomplished. Asa people the Inhabitants of Freesoildom are more excitable than any other. We are aware that many will deny this, but we assert it as a fact which is backed by countless proofs. Absurd fallacies, which die as soon as born, when created hefe, flourish with a fury, for a time, at the North. Socialism, Free Love, Athe ism, Deism, Spiritualism, Spirit-Rap pings, Fourierism, Hero and Humbug worship, Abolitionism, &c., &c., find indigenous growth upon Free Soil. It maj be true that the Southerner, as an individual, is more quickly roused, but as a people, the palm of excitability must be yielded to the North. With all this love for absurdities, the North excels in its zest for tearing asunder, and trampling under foot its idols, after the novelty has become "stale. That which it worships to-day ft may scorn to-morrow. It tires of its deities as a child wearies of its toys. Its hates, its loves, its affini ties, its antipathies, its likes, its dis gusts, are as fickle and unstable as the foam of the surf. Its peculiar love just now is for the “ Flag of the Uni«n.” Dazzled by the immortal glories of the Stars and Stripes it sees not the hideous monster that has as sumed it as his battle crest. Deceived, blinded, glamoured, the Northern people are flocking to the supposed defence of their flag. As yet they have not begun to count the cost of gold and blood. There has been no battle yet ! There must be ere long —a crash of defiant thousands. One part battling for a political chimera; the other for existence. After that the Northern people will reflect—as yet they have only rushed headlong. See how their wily leaders, political bladders, ever floating with the popu lar torrent, strive to lead them where folly is driving them. Chief of all of the vaunted conservative host, rides the frog-blooded, hollow-hearted Ed ward Everett, crying, “ The Gov ernment" must be sustained yet that double-faced hypocrite will be among the first to cry. “ Peace —no strife amomg brothers!” when the great Yankee nation begins to take wind to ask itself i “ Is this thing going to pay ?” Having concluded that it won’t pay, pother Jonathan will ask him self if he has lost anything. That be ing a self-evident fact, in his cooler moments, he will sue for damages, and the only parties left for him to sue will be—Abe Lincoln & Cos.! But, irt the meantime, the South has hard fighting before her. She has to conquer Fanaticism , and in our opinion as soon as Maryland shall have seceded, Fanaticism will receive its first death blow in the destruction or capture of the Federal City, or the second ignominious flight of the “ Kan garoo.” THE CORONATION OF THE MAY QUEEN. On Thursday evening, the 2d inst., 'the hall of the Greenville Masonic Female College was densely crowded, to witness the Concert and Coronation of the May Queen, elected from their number by the young ladies of the College. The performances Were conducted by Prof. A. SchllcHter, of the College, assisted by Prof. R. S. PopßeN, of LaGrange Baptist College, and Dr. Alfred, of the LaGrange Satter Club. The latter gentleman sustained to admiration the fame of the Club. It is due to Prof. S. to state that Dr. Alfred was formerly his pupil upon the violin. The Concert began With the Mar seilles Hymn, sang by the young la dies of the College in most admirable style and with great spirit. Then fol lowed a march from the opera “Norma,” executed on the piano by Misses A. Gates, J, Simonton and M. Park— performed with a merit that reflected great credit both upon the fair musi cians and their accomplished teacher Prof. Sciiliciiter. Next came a Violin Solo, with Piano accompani ment, by Pi of. Sciiliciiter on the Violin and Prof. Poppen on the Piano. Both of these gentlemen are well known in the musical world, as com posers and artists. Nothing could surpass the nicety and yet firmness of Prof. Poppejs's touch upon the piano, or the exquisite management of Prof. Schlichter of the violin. Misses E. Gresiiam and C. lluSsEf then ex ecuted “ The Summer Night’s Dream Waltz,” composed by Prof. S. who ac companied thh performance With his Violin. This waltz, as a musical com position, is of rare and thrilling melo dy, and we regret that several portions of great beauty were lost to the au dience at large, from Unnecessary dis order in some parts of the hall. A song, “ The Flag of the South,” to the air of the “ Star-Spangled Banner',’’ wrt3 then sung by a full chorus of the young ladies. Each lady bore a flag of the Confederate States, and as they waved them in response to the melody of the song the effect on the audience was electrical. Prof. S. succeeded, with the “Polka de Salon,” solo on piano. Misses E. Gresham, E. Hussey and A. Ellis followed with “Ben Bolt” upon the piano. These young ladies deserve much praise for' the admirable and ar tistic manner in which each performed her part. Part 2d of the Programme, was the Coronation and opera of the Elower Queen, in the following order: In troduction March, by the full strength if the young ladies of the College Chorus of Flowers, by the. same; Song of the Recluse, by the President of the College; Semi-chorus of Flow ers, concealed ; Duet—The Rose, Miss Celeste Hussey ; and the Lily, Miss Mary Lawson ; Entrance and song of Flowers, full chorus, by the young ladies; Solo-3ong of the Crocus, by Miss Eliza Gresham, whose sweet and delightful voice drew unanimous applause; Song—the Dahlia, Miss Almira Gates; Song—Solo and Chorus, by Miss Mary Lawson, sung with great grace and melody; Duet—the Violet, and Japonica, by Miss Inmana Harris and Julia Si monton ; Solo—the Rose, by Miss Celeste Hussey, the Queen of May, elect—whose rich and powerful voice and personal claims displayed the taste of her electors-; Semi and Full Chorus, by the young ladies ; Semi-Chorus, by all the aspirants to the crown;- Response of the Recluse by the President of the College ; Chorus of yotrng ladies, re tiring; Entrance, march and Chorus of Heather Bells, by the little girls of the College ; Full Chorus and Coro nation March, by the young ladies \ Coronation of Miss Celeste Hussey, the Flower Queen, by Misses Mary Lawson, Almira Gates, Julia Si monton, Alice Floyd, Emma Hussey, the Sceptre Bearer—and Indiana Harris ; Song of the Rose, by the Flower Queen; Finale, Full Chorus, by the young ladies. Part 3d consisted of the Leonoro Polka, by Misses C. Hussey and E. Gresham, Duet—Violin and Piano, by Prof’s. Schlichter and Poppen ; Song, “Are you Ready,” set to mu sic by Prof. S. and sung by Miss J. Simonton, with admirable ability and spirit—with full chorus and waving of Confederate flags ; Prima Dona Waltz, by Misses Mary Wrioxit, Eliza GreeHam and Elizbetii Sheffield ; Good Night, quartette song, written and composed by Prof. S. and sung by the young ladies of the College. We have heard many of our citi zens unite in saying, that the affair was the best ever executed in Green ville; and in conclusion tender our thanks to Prof. PoPPeN, Dr. Alfred, Prof. SCHLicHtEnj" and to the young ladies of the Greenville Masonic Fe male College for their excellent mu sical entertainment. On Friday evening the College was thrown open for a levee of the ladies, and the attendance there of the un crowned Flower Queens of Merriweth er county called forth the remark from many admiring beholders, that for handsome ladies and stalwart soldiers, Merriwether county is not to be ri valed. Youth and beauty asking for ADVICE. We call attention to the following Communication, post-marked Jones’ Mills. We trust the patriotic young ladies who wrote it will pardon our publishing it, as its spirit and beauty should not be doomed to privacy: Southern Confederacy, j Merriwether Cos., May 3d. / Mr. Peck— Sir: We, the undersigned young ladies, are desirous of doing something to aid the soldiers, but are ignorant of what manner to proceed. Believing you have that charity which “ hopeth all things, believeth all things, Cndu reth all things,” we have thought you would not censure us for intruding upon your time to ask your advice. We are willing to do anything which comes within our province. Although we may not have the same fortitude that characterized the RomSh Ma trons, we feel that we could cheerfully sever the dearest ties of earth for our country; yea, we could even assist those who are bound to us by nature, or the ties of friendship to gird on their armor, and commending them to the God of Battle, bid them go forth to defend the cause of justice and hue inanity i If yoll can give us any advice, you will very much oblige us by doing so through the medium of the Georgia Weekly. Respectfully, We hardly know what to suggest to you, noble daughters of Georgia, fur ther than to continue to write such stirring letters; to animate all who need animating; to make it known that “ none but the brave deserve the fair to wave onward our bold warri ors with your soft, fair hands; to soothe and Cheer the hearts and homes of the friends and relatives of the absent volunteers. It has been suggested that the ladies of Merriwether present each of the soldiers with one or more changes of under-clothing, shirts, &c., or at least each of those whose purses are but small. It would be well, also, for our fair friends to report to us or to others any case of destitution or distress that may arise after the departure of the volunteers. If any of onr readers can advise us farther, We will gladly open our col umns for their use. We have just received the May number of the Southern Cultiva tor, published in Augusta, D. Red mond and C. W. Howard Editors. This able and valuable Magazine is at the small price of One Dollar a year, and should be in the hands of every Southern planter. It contains 32 pa ges of interesting and most useful matter in each number, and is pub lished monthly. Though no planter onrself—we wish we were—we find an excellent and improving friend in the Southern Cvltivator. Attention Soldiers I Each of the Companies of Volun teers from Merriwether County will contain a Reporter to The Georgia Weekly, thereby furnishing an excel lent medium of correspondence be tween the Soldier and his Family and Friends. The Georgia Weekly will contain the latest reliable news from the Army, and should be in the hands of every man in the County. Now is the time to subscribe.