From Charleston.
[special Correspondence of the Dispatch.]
Charleston, May 1, 1861.
We have every day contradictory messages relating to the most important matters, and we have gotten so now that we do not believe the telegraph at all, although it may speak the truth sometimes.
For instance, yesterday, it was stated that we had the command of Arlington Heights, and this morning it is stated that Lincoln has it, and if that be the case there has, it seems to us, been great neglect somewhere.
I very seriously doubt, too, whether there ought not to be greater circumspection on the part of the newspapers in giving such general currency to the movements of our army and the doings of our Government. There certainly ought not to be a solitary mall permitted to go beyond our limits. And again, I am seriously inclined to the belief that all letters sent beyond the Confederate lines should undergo inspection. Adams' Express Company are now carrying letters by the Western route, which is a great convenience to the community, but it opens fine facilities for the spies within our bounds to give the enemy correct information. For the time being, our people ought to be willing to come under severe martial surveillance for our security and success, and in my humble judgment these suggestions cannot be acted on a bit too soon. That we have spies in our camp there is no doubt; we have them here, far removed as we are now from the seat of war, and you have a regiment of them in your midst.
An Irish company will be formed to-night, to be commanded by James Conner, Esq., late United States District Attorney, and at present District Attorney of the C. S. A.
We are all as quiet here as a May morning, and this, the first day of May, is essentially quiet and delightful.
And Virginia is to be, so Greeley says, the domain of the vandals of Lincoln breed. --Think of that, you young Virginians — that your lands and homes, and the graves of your fathers and mothers, and everything that you hold dear in this life, is to become the homes and the possessions of the John Browns and the Redpaths, and the Greeleys, and the whole abolition horde of vandals of Yankeedom.--Don't be deceived by this language of the great thief at the head of the Tribune. He means what he says, and they will fulfill the prophecy unless you Virginians drive them back. If the South had only entertained for the last ten years the same feelings of deep and unconquerable distrust of our pretended friends of the North that I have always entertained, we would now not be in our present condition. But it is useless to "cry over spilt milk."
One good effect this war will have, and that is, to drive Southerners home. Let them be persecuted. I hope they may be, until they are compelled to come. On the contrary, let us cultivate a good feeling towards all respectable Northern men settled South. Do not make their stay uncomfortable. I know many of such who are as true and as loyal to the South as I am. Treat them kindly and generously, and under no circumstances show them any indignity, until you see that they are traitorous. Of all things, it is the most cowardly and mean, for a thousand men in a mob to surround one man and show him indignities. Never let Virginia be cursed with isobs.
