Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
a Clergyman's testimony in regard to the
South Carolinians — Mistake Corrected, &c.
Henrico Co., Va., Jan,25
I send you an extract of a private letter from a Baptist Minister, who is well known in Richmond, and has been sojourning in South Carolina for five months. After mingling with all classes, and studying their character, this gentleman forms the following deliberate and impartial judgment of a noble, though much slandered people:"The South Carolinians are a singular race of people.--Like Virginians, they have much State pride, and though, perhaps, on first acquaintance not quite so cordial, are hospitable, chivalrous and warm- hearted.
Their unanimity of feeling on the one question is truly wonderful.--No matter where you see them they all talk and think alike.
Secessionism is not a sudden ebullition of feeling, not an angry outburst, but a principle to which they calmly, persistently, and doggedly adhere.
The people everywhere, high and low, rich and poor intelligent and ignorant, are ready to do or die for their State and the South.
You see it in their faces, their very walk.
You hear it as their prayers as they appeal to the God of nations, of battles, and of truth, to bless and protect.
At their public meetings in the Court-Houses they usually commence with an invocation of God's blessing.
Something, by the way, which I have never seen in Virginia.
‘"It is a misrepresentation that the people of South Carolina are devoid of respect for Virginia.
They look up to her, and every day I hear somebody say, 'O, that Old Virginia would act; if she would move, all would be right."’ 