Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
things in the South.
Selma, Ala. Nov. 8, 1861.
Within a few days I have been traveling extensively in four of the Cotton States, looking at the crops, talking with the people and gathering up all the information I could.
I am truly delighted with ‘"Dixie Land."’ Prosperity and happiness are everywhere apparent.
No one believes that the Lincolnites can do any material damage to the South, but that in every fair engagement they will be routed with overwhelming loss, and that truth and justice, and the God of Heaven are on our side.
In South Carolina a distinguished clergyman, the owner of an immense cotton plantation, said to me, ‘"There is but one feeling, but one purpose, in the heart of our people, and that is to resist to the death.
We feel that to be exterminated would be infinite glory compared with submission to a disgraceful despotism.
We don't fear the fleet now menacing our coast, for we are determined to suffer no discouragement from any success they may gain."’ The language of this good man describes the feeling which rules every heart in these States.
Selma is a thriving town, about the size of Staunton, Va. The country around is beautiful.
Salt is selling for $10 a sack, though I am told that it (1,500 sacks) was bought by the present owners at $1.50. So that Richmond speculators ‘"are not sinners above all"’ that dwell in ‘"Dixie."’ Richmond. 