This eBook was edited by Charles Aldarondo (www.aldarondo.net).
"A rebellion or an invasion alarms,
And puts the people upon its defence;
But a corruption of principles
Works its ruin more slowly perhaps,
But more surely."
1856.
PREFACES, like long sermons to fashionable congregations, aredistasteful to most readers, and in no very high favor with us. Adeep interest in the welfare of South Carolina, and the high esteemin which we held the better, and more sensible class of hercitizens, prompted us to sit down in Charleston, some four years ago(as a few of our friends are aware), and write this history. Themalady of her chivalry had then broken out, and such was itsvirulence that very serious consequences were apprehended. We haddone something, and were unwise enough to think we could do more, tostay its spread. We say unwise, inasmuch as we see, and regret thatwe do see, the malady breaking out anew, in a more virulent type-onewhich threatens dire consequences to this glorious Union, and bidsfair soon to see the Insane Hospital of South Carolina crammed withher mad-politicians.
Our purpose, the reader will not fail to discover, was a high moralone. He must overlook the means we have called to our aid in someinstances, remember that the spirit of the work is in harmony with ajust sense of duty to a people among whom we have long resided, andwhose follies deserve our pity, perhaps, rather than ourcondemnation. To remain blind to their own follies, is the sin ofweak States; and we venture nothing when we say that it would bedifficult to find a people more dragged down by their own ignorancethan are the South Carolinians. And yet, strange as it may seem, nopeople are more energetic in laying claim to a high intellectualstandard. For a stranger to level his shafts against the very evilsthey themselves most deprecate, is to consign himself an exileworthy only of that domestic garment
Tar and feathers. in which all who think and write too freely, areclothed and sent away.
And though the sentiments we have put forth in this work may not bein fashion with our Southern friends, they will give us credit forat least one thing-picturing in truthful colors the errors that, bytheir own confessions, are sapping the very foundations of theirsociety. Our aim is to suggest reforms, and in carrying it out wehave consulted no popular prejudice, enlarged upon no enormities toplease the lover of tragedy, regarded neither beauty nor the art ofnovel making, nor created suffering heroines to excite an outpouringof sorrow and tears. The incidents of our story, which at best isbut a mere thread, are founded in facts; and these facts we have somodified as to make them acceptable to the reader, while shieldingourself from the charge of exaggeration. And, too, we are consciousthat our humble influence, heretofore exerted, has contributed tothe benefit of a certain class in Charleston, and trust that in thisinstance it may have a wider field.
Three years and upwards, then, has the MS. of this work laid in thehands of a Philadelphia publisher, who was kind enough to say moregood things of it than it deserved, and only (as he said, and whatpublishers say no one ever thinks of doubting) regretted that fearof offending his Southern customers, who were exceedingly stiff insome places, and tender in others, prevented him publishing it.Thankful fo