Record of National Service.-Despite her many obstacles, she has furnished to the United States the following distinguished officers: Two Presidents of the Revolutionary Congress; a Chief Justice and an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; six diplomatists, some of them of the very highest ability; a Comptroller and Treasurer; three general officers in the army of 1798 and a Brigadier-General in the army of 1808; a MajorGeneral in 1812; two Speakers of the national House of Representatives; three times she furnished a candidate for the Presidency on the Federalist ticket, and only C. C. Pinckney's high sense of honor kept the State from having one of her citizens as President. Twice has a South Carolinian been Vice-President of the United States, and the same distinguished citizen (Mr. Calhoun) was Secretary of War and afterward Secretary of State. Hugh S. Legare had the unique honor of holding two positions, Secretary of State and AttorneyGeneral, at the same time. During his whole career as a member of Congress William Lowndes was considered the leading citizen of the United States, and his nomination for the Presidency, had he lived, seemed a foregone conclusion. He was pronounced by many contemporaries and associates in his work in Congress the wisest man they had ever known. Such commendation came from men as distinguished as Henry Clay, James Buchanan, and Thomas H. Benton, and of him Abraham Lincoln said "he was the ablest man the South ever had in Congress." On his visit to Europe he was pronounced by the Duke of Argyle and Leo X as the wisest and best-bred man they had ever met. Educational Awakening.-When we see the great educational awakening in our cities and in remote country districts, with zeal in the officers connected with the educational system, from the State Superintendent of Education to the humblest teacher in the schools; when we note the erection of factories for so many different kinds and grades of articles, and especially for the manufacture of the raw material produced by our own soil; witness the continued growth of the State Agricultural Society and an ever-increasing attendance on its annual fairs; and see, through the teaching of agricultural chemistry in our colleges and schools, the stimulated productiveness of the soil-it seems that our material prosperity is entirely assured. The spirit of co-operation, which is regenerating our towns and rural communities through the upbuilding of schools and churches and the establishment of libraries, is one of the most encouraging signs of our day. The organization and successful conduct of literary and industrial societies, and the growth of a broad and liberal spirit in respect to the other States of the Union, showing a nationalization of sentiment, a broadening of view, and a deepening of sympathies, will enable us to form wider connections for the advancement of our intellectual and material interests. When we see everywhere the growth of the spirit of humanity, the manifest desire for universal peace and friendship that will open our doors to trade and social intercourse with all our fellow beings when we reflect upon all these things, we turn our faces to the future with hope and happiness. The educated men and women of South Carolina will, we believe, see that the State moves upward and onward in generous rivalry with the most enterprising and intelligent members of the Federal Union. XXXVIII BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF SOUTH CAROLINA HISTORY 1562-First settlement at Port Royal; abandoned. 1663-5-Grant of Carolina to eight British noblemen from Charles II. 1670 First English expedition landed at Port Royal. 1670 First permanent settlement at Albemarle Point, near present site of Charleston. 1671-Slavery introduced into the colony by Sir John Yeamans. 1680-Settlement removed to present site of Charleston, then, and until 1783, called Charles Town. 1702-Invasion of Florida by Carolinians under Governor Moore; no important results. 1706-French and Spanish expedition against Carolina. Failure of the first attempt to take Charleston by means of a naval force. 1715 War with the Yamassee Indians. 1719-Revolution by which Carolina became a royal colony. 1728-Carolina divided into North and South Carolina. 1739-Negro insurrection, known as Stono Insurrection, or "Gullah War." 1760-War with Cherokee Indians. 1773-People refuse to use imported tea subject to tax. 1774-Convention of the representatives of the people at Charleston passed resolutions condemning the 1775-British powder supply seized. British ships in Charleston harbor driven to sea by batteries of the patriots. 1776-On March 26 the Provincial Congress adopted a constitution and elected John Rutledge president. This action antedated the Declaration of Independence, adopted by Congress, by nearly four months. 1776-June 28 British fleet fails in attempt to take Charleston. 1776-7-War with Cherokees; latter subdued and compelled to cede their territory to the whites. 1779-Arrival of French fleet off Charleston to assist American forces in accordance with the alliance with France. 1780-Capture of Charleston and of troops under General Lincoln by the British. 1780-August 16, Americans under General Gates defeated at battle of Camden. British defeated at King's Mountain, October 7. Camden captured by Americans under Col. William Washington on December 4. 1780 South Carolina overrun by the British, but Generals Marion, Sumter, and Pickens continued the war. 1781-Battle of Cowpens, January 17; a great American victory. Americans under General Greene defeated at Guilford Court-House, March 14. Drawn battle between British and Americans at Eutaw Springs September 8; British retreat to Charleston. |