March 8, 1861; The Charleston Mercury
Our Montgomery Correspondence.
MONTGOMERY, March 5.
The confirmation of the appointment of the Hon. S.R. MALLORY, of Fla., as Secretary of the Navy, is the chief subject of comment relative to the actions of Congress on yesterday. The confirmation took place in secret session, and I am not prepared to speak positively but a strong, uncontradicted rumor prevails to the effect that vigorous opposition was made to his appointment. The objections are understood to have arisen out of the views entertained by the honorable gentleman, and that he was not rejected, is perhaps due more to the vague and uncertain character of the charges, coupled with the deference felt by Congress for the nomination of the President, than to any other cause.
He is said to have carried these views so far as to look forward to and contemplate future persona advances based on his attitude as a pacificator and conciliator at the time of the secession of his State. In a matter of some negotiations at Washington he is charged with bad faith towards Florida, besides surrounding all his acts, in connection with the two separate powers, with equivocation and uncertainty. While laboring under these embarrassments, be they true or false, his appointment to a seat in the Cabinet was justly obnoxious, and we are told, to none more so than to the Deputies from Florida. His probable resignation is mooted, and certainly such a course, on his part, would tend greatly to allay feeling and at once place him in a position to vindicate himself – if, indeed, he desires vindication – at the same time dispelling the mist and gloom of uncertainty and doubt which at present envelopes the rectitude of his conduct.
Just here allow me to remark that the deportment of South Carolina, through her Deputies in Congress, is one of singular propriety. Without disparaging others, it can be safely said that, for elevated bearing, dignity of discussion, and perfect parliamentary courtesy (if I may use the expression), South Carolina, as here represented, stands unsurpassed.
The new Confederate banner, reported by the Committee and agreed upon by Congress, was raised on the Capitol on yesterday. The flag consists of three stripes or bars, red, white and red. Next to the staff, on the left hand corner of the flag, to the depth of two stripes, is a blue square field, on which is a circlet of seven white stars, the lower stripe extending the full length of the flag underneath the blue field. The design is simple, and will doubtless give satisfaction. It is distinguishable a great way, and whether in a natural or reversed position, is at one detected.
LINCOLN’s Inaugural was published in the city papers this morning (5th), and though not characterized by all the weakness and silliness of his travelling speeches, is not received as a statesmanlike paper. The Republican demagogue literally glares on the reader as he notices his artful attempt to screen the coercive policy of his incoming administration, behind the power and the will of the people. The arch Republican of the radical school is plainly visible, notwithstanding the adroit wording of the document. It can only now be regretted as a great public misfortune and calamity that every Federal department, of all descriptions, was not placed in the hands of the States authorities as fast as they seceded, at any then, possible sacrifice – blood and treasure would have been saved, and important advantages secured to the new government.
PENROSE PINCKNEY.