From Charleston.
[special Correspondence of the Dispatch.
Let me tell you what has, thus far, saved Fort Sumter and the men in it: First, the people here, as a general thing, feel acutely for Maj. Anderson's position. They would be glad, if possible, to rescue him from his perilous situation. And again, they wish to defer to your good old State and wait and see what your Peace Commissioners will do. In deference to Virginia the people have acted; but, as we all believe, no good will be achieved by you, but, on the contrary, harm. You cannot deal with or associate with a people so inferior in everything that ennobles without damage.
To-day the floating battery was launched, and will be finished and the guns be put in place in the course of this week.
Another, and a still more formidable engine of destruction has just been completed, constructed by an intelligent mechanic of this city, for scaling the walls of Sumter.
I saw to-day a letter purporting to be from Fort Sumter, to ‘"a friend in Orange county, New York,"’ in which he brags hugely of their intentions, &c. I confess I feel some sympathy for Maj. Anderson in his trying position, and I would, if I could, take that young Virginian, Meade, out of that fort unhurt; but some of the officers there will have the ‘"starch taken out of them"’ before they wish it.
By the way, how do you and your intelligent readers like the speeches of your new President effect? He is an eloquent fellow, is he not? His speeches are remarkably chaste, and his receptions — are they not marked by elegant wit? What do you think aristocratic England thinks of the ‘"Prince of Rails?"’
I mentioned in one of my late letters, that our President would be here to morrow.-- Pressing business at the seat of Government will prevent, but he sends Col. Whiting, late of the United States Army, to attend to the business for which he was expected.
We had a grand time to-day at a flag presentation. It occurred at Institute Hall-- one of the finest in America. "Virginius," and "Mrs. Virginius," were honored by a special invitation, to take the uppermost stand in the synagogue.
The flag was prepared by fair hands, and presented by James Tupper, Esq., for the ladies to Col. Johnson J. Pettigrew, Commander of First Regiment Rifles. It took place at 3 ½ o'clock P. M., in the presence of a large concourse of the elite of Charleston.--Mr. Tupper has a remarkably intellectual and handsome face, and speaks with great fluency and, on this occasion, he was very happy. At the conclusion of his remarks, Mrs. Palfrey came forward, and with her own fair hands put the flag into the hands of Col. Pettigrew. The scene was imposing to the highest degree. Mrs. P. is the daughter of Mr. Tupper, and only but a few months ago united to one of Louisiana's sons, and the grace and case with which the act was performed by her was only surpassed by the beauty of the fair one herself.--Col. Pettigrew acknowledged the gift in gallant style, after which he presented it to his command and enjoined on them never to let the chaste and elegant folds of that beautiful ensign be defiled by the touch of those who seek to oppress us. Never heard I such applause — never heard I such bursts of enthusiasm. Gov. Pickens was invited to give words of cheer, which he did in his best style. He paid the highest compliment to the gallant Colonel (who, by the way, is a North Carolinian,? and to the soldiers, and remarked that he had been greatly pressed by influences within and without — on the one hand by impatient patriotism, and on the other by an insidious and unreliable foe; yet, he had acted upon his own best judgment, and that he should continue to do so, and if blood was to be shed, which God forbid, it should not be his fault, and that he yet hoped that intelligence and civilization would overcome the fanaticism of those in power, and prevent bloodshed; yet, it might come, and we must prepare, and be prepared, to meet the enemy whenever and wherever necessary.
