January 3, 1861, The Charleston Mercury
In the military enthusiasm now pervading our city, it is difficult to keep young men who have responsible posts of business, in which the public are concerned, at their work. The rage for volunteering or active service is so great, that we, in the MERCURY office, have had the utmost difficulty in restraining our clerks, printers and employees, and keeping them in this branch of the public service. In vain, in some instances, have we urged the necessity of furnishing with promptitude and certainty the intelligence so eagerly sought by all, and making the moral fight so essential to the cause of the South in the world of ideas. Nothing but a place in the hosts of battle will suit their unreasoning ardor. Although thousands, whose duties at this juncture are not generally missed, are offering their services to the State, we find a strong inclination for stampede to the war. Under these circumstances, we must crave indulgence of the public for any shortcoming.
In addition to our own troubles, we learn, too, that the Postmaster is left in the same dilemma from the same cause, and that allowances must be made in the delivery of the mail.