From Charleston.
[Special Correspondence of the Dispatch.]
Charleston, May 2, 1861,
I should be glad to have something interesting to communicate this morning, but we have no mails to-day, by reason of disconnections.
In these times of war, every man is expected to show his patriotism in every way not positively injurious to his well being and that of his family.
We have in this city set very good examples to the world of disinterested patriotism, but I begin to hear occasionally that same ‘ "hoarse voice"’ that was heard in revolutionary times in Hanover county, as described by Wirt in one of Patrick Henry's speeches against an unprincipled speculator-- ‘"Beef, beef, beef."’ Provisions in our city all at once popped up 50 per cent. Hams now sell at 20 cents, sides 17 cents, coffee 18½ to 20 cents, flour $10.50 to $12.50, and butter 60 cents. In most instances these provisions were held by Yankee agents here, and in some instances by natives, but the mark will be as indelibly fixed upon them for all time as that put upon the first murderer, Cain, by the finger of God Almighty, and right that it should be.
In times like these, no man with a soul will speculate upon his neighbor and his people, and he who does it ought to be made to feel the weight of public odium and disapproval.
Moreover, all corporations should at least show once in a century that they have a spark of the noble, a glimmering flicker at least of the generous feeling of humanity in their hearts.
Railroad companies can do much to relieve the families of those who have gone to fight the battles of these railroad gentlemen, and the speculators, too; and they certainly ought to do all in their power to keep the necessaries of life as low as possible.
I then suggest, inasmuch as you are blockaded, that all the railroads in this Southern country put down their freights to as low a rate as possible, and make through rates from Richmond to this city.
We can furnish you with rice and cotton, and you can furnish us with provisions;--if not now, you can soon.
I would also suggest that no one buy a dollar's worth from any man who seeks to speculate in breadstuffs and provisions.
Avoid him as you would a deadly putrescence.
You even hear in our banks occasionally the hoarse cry, ‘"No renewal."’ Very patriotic, is it not?
But such cases are few here, and we have recorded all such down in our book, and they shall, to all eternity, be classed with our dear Northern friends, who shed so many tears of fraternal love over us as long as they could fatten their carcasses at our expense.
We do not mob, but we do stamp, and mark, and record. Virginias.
