A SKETCH OF EDUCATION IX SOUTH CAROLINA. 531 



THE CHARLESTON MERCURY 



was founded by Edmund Morford, in 1822, and purchased by H. L. 

 Pinckney, June 1st, 1823. It became the representative of the " Free 

 Trade and States Right Party of South Carolina." Distinguished by the 

 bokhiess and the eloquence of its utterances, the Mercury was largely 

 instrumental in bringing about the war between the States. Its material 

 was destroyed in the tire in Columbia in 1865, and, though publication 

 was resumed shortly after, it suspended finally in 18G8. 



Other papers in Charleston, Columbia, and different parts of the State, 

 enjoyed greater or less prosperity. The attention of all was chiefly 

 drawn to politics, and they lacked much of what is now considered essen- 

 tial to journalism The editorial department often overshadowed the 

 rest, and they are to be regared more as leaders than as chroniclers of 

 events. 



The following is a partial list of the newspapers published at the begin- 

 ning of the war : 



Abbeville Banner, Abbeville Press, Spartanburg Spartan, and Express, 

 Sumter Watchman, Union Times, Yorkville Enquirer, Barnwell Sentinel, 

 Charleston Courier, Charleston Mercury, Charleston Evening News, Southern 

 Christian Advocate, U. S. Catholic Miscellany, Chester Standard, Cheraw 

 Gazette, Clarendon Banner, Darlington Southerner, Edgefield Advertiser, 

 Fairfield Herald, and Register, WiwysAi Observer, Greenville Mountaineer^ 

 and Southern Enterprise, Camden Journal, Lancaster Ledger, Laurens 

 Herald, Lexington Dispatch, Marion Star, Newberry Herald, Orangeburg 

 Clarion, Keowee Courier, Pickens Sentinel, Columbia South Carolinian, 

 Southern Guardian, Souther}} Baptist, and Southern Presbyterian. 



There were also several literary periodicals. The Southern Presbyterian 

 Review, founded in 1847, which still exists, wielded great influence in the 

 religious world. The Southern Quarterly Review, and RusseWs Magazine, 

 with several literary papers, were the vehicle of thought of the highest 

 order and eloquence not often surpassed. 



The census gives the newspaper statistics for 1850, 1860 and 1870. 

 Except as to the number of newspapers, the table is not trustworthy, for 

 no means have ever yet been devised for securing a true report of circu- 

 lation from all newspapers. 



