Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
what a Richmond clergyman thinks of the state of things in the South.
Richmond, Va., Richmond, Va., Feb. 21, 1861
The following is from a distinguished clergyman of this city, who has for a week or two been traveling in the Gulf States.
As it is reliable information in regard to points which are now exciting the nation, I conclude to place it at your disposal: ‘
"Political questions are now wholly absorbing the minds of the people.
All seem to be gratified with the organization of a Southern Confederacy.
They regard this as very much relieving the states of responsibility, all the more serious as it involved the probability of hourly collision in some way with the Federal Government.
This responsibility is now transferred to the Southern General Government.
It must not be supposed, as is reported in the Northern papers, that the people here and in Charleston are impatient for war. They desire no such thing.
I have heard no man express such a wish.
A peaceable separation is desired and anticipated.
"Another false report, finding currency in certain points.
I must contradict.
I see nothing of the fiery madness attributed to the South Carolinians and Georgians.
The perfect calmness of the people in conversing on the subject of our political condition, amazes me. They are serious, dignified, and decided, but not blustering and vindictive.
In Charleston, on King street, the great promenade of the city, crowds of the young of both sexes are passing every afternoon, all apparently free from perturbation and disturbance of every sort.
And, as to the stories about famine, they have their origin in unscrupulous news mongers, who would have it so, and who desire a certain effect to be produced on Northern minds."
"What is true of Charleston, is true of South Carolina, Her people are a unit.
Nor is it a forced public sentiment, but a spontaneous outflowing of the popular feeling.
If the war must come, though they desire it not, they are prepared for. In several instances it has been necessary to draft the men to stay at home, rather than the men to go, such has been the readiness to respond to the call of the State."
"I have had a distant view of the several forts, The most formidable preparations are making for defence, and for the ultimate taking of Fort Sumter.
The floating battery now being constructed is a curiosity; crowds daily visit it, all speculating on the probabilities of its successful assault upon the immense walls of the fort." ’ 