Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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BY ROBT A. THOMPSON & CO. PICKEN8 COURT HOUSE, S. C., SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER U, 1SG7. VOL. II..NO. 51. The Heart. Ob ! could wc road tito human liearl, IlBStruilgC, mysterious depths explore, What tonguo could toll or pen impart, The riches of its hidden lore? Safo from tho world's distrustful eye. What deep and burning feelings play. Which e'en storn reason's power defy. And wear the sands of lifo away. Think not beneath a smiling brow, To always lind a joyous heart, Fur wit's bright glow, and reason's How, Tuc often hide a Clinkering dart. The hird with bruised and broken wing, Oft tries to mount (he air ilgaiti, Among its Tiltiles lo gladly sing. Its hist melodious dying strain. Tho firo thal lipids a (lashing eye, May by n burning heart be fed, "Which in its Anguish yearns lo dio. While yet it seems to pleasure wed. Oh, do not harshly judge the ho- rt, Though cold and vain il seems lobe ; Nor rudely seek tho vyil to part, That hides its deep, deep mystery ! KUI_!B -'Ar-VT1.'." "." .'. _.5H POLITICAL. From tho Columbia Piuoiiix. LETTER FROM GEN. HAMPTON, t? KN TI. KM KN : I beg to acknowledge thc receipt ot' tho lotter in which you do mc the honor to ask " my advice with regard to your notion in thc very important matters Sfinn to hu submitted to tho people of the State." Though 1 cannot but feel that ninny of those whoso mimos are signed to this communica tion ure far more competent to offer counsel on the grave topics now agitating the public mind than myself, as 1 deem it to be tho du ty of every man, when called un by bis fol low-citizens, in times of peril, to contribute all in bis power to promote thc general welfare, or to ward off thc common d inger, T willing ly comply with your flattering request. fi Recognizing, then, thc duty imposed on nie ^^fej^yoiii^.di) tfmH n q.ellot^-ttjfoHyy ??.th.o-fff? ii t rcspeot I feel for those who have thus hon oured 'me, I shall state with perfect candour thc imminent dangers surrounding ns, and pol iii out with equal frankness the only course which, in my judgment, wc can pursue with j bunour, or with any hope of ultimate safety. BqforO, proceeding to t e difinussiou ?f MiP present condition of ii ft a! rs', it is proper to'lot you know what were the views entertained by I myself i ni mod lately after the cessation of sc- i tivc hostilities, and what was the course 1 , thought our people should thou follow. This j C'tunot bo donei more concisely than by giving j io you a copy Of a letter addressed to James I G. Gibbes, Esq., chairman of a public meet ing, which was held bore in August, 1805 - Not being in thc city at that time, I wrote thc following letter. Which, yielding lo tho views of others, I afterwards determined uotto pub lish : AI.HUST 20, 1805. To His Honor Janus G. Gil/OeH, Mayor oj Columbia : Silt : Having boen absent when tito late public meeting was held iii the city, I take this method of expressing my views on the subjects discussed on that occasion, lt is with some, reluctance that 1 express these views, as I do not concur in the policy advoca tod by tho meeting, ls it desirable that thc people of thc State should take any action looking to a restoration of civil government nt prcseut ? I think not; and for theso res .fl?ns: The Stnte is either ? member of tho Feder al Union, or it. is not. If ft member, then mat only is it a work of supo'crogntinn for her *o a>di admission to tho Union, but she is, by the. C-mistitutinn pf tho United Slates, gnar wntYuid a republican form of government, and ?be hw the right to administer her govern ment under such a constitution and by such law? as she chooses. But if she, on tho con trary, i? not a member of tho Union, she must ?bc regarded either ns a territory, or as con quered province. In cither condition, tho "United States' authorities are charged with ithc duty of providing a proper government for her, and I think thc true policy of thc fStafce is to remain passive until such gov ernment is given to her, or is forced upon her. Jf tho Course indicated by tho meeting hore is followed by tho State, what will bc tho re eult? Will ii lead to the restoration of tho Union ns it existed, and to the re-establish ment of tho constitutum and laws of this this State i* I do not think that such will bo the case. To restore the Stato to ?he Union by tho plan ooutoinplated in tho rc^pii'tions adopted by tho meeting hore, it will bo no? essnry to onll a convention of tho Stnto.--? '/hat a Convention, ?ho.aon ns that will be, will represont tho wishes of tho people of tho Stato, is an impossibility. But passing ovor this grave objection, there remains the still graver Xji\c as to tho adoption of a consti tution.. Aro.tho p?oploof tho Stato willing,; by the adoption of a now and totally different constitution, to ignoro all tho teachings of the past, to subvert tho whole order of sooiety, to chango, in a moment, ita whole organization, and, in t> word, to commit (>f the expression w.ay be used) political auioido t Yet this ia the inov?toblo tondonoy of tho course recom mended by; the meeting. No ono, fer a mo m/jn.tj supposes that tho Stato will' be adm it ted into ibo Union, with its present constitu tion,. $? gain admission,, tho Stato must ciome with a constitution raptosentingv not't/ho vlows. nndj tatorosta of the people of South (tyr?flo'?, b?f those, of tyrell ujietjfc ty muy bo urged that tho State must come with such a constitution, or not come at all. If mich is the fact, then lot her not come at all. Tho United States Government w ill hold the coun try, as it now docs, by military occupation ; its troops will be present to inaugurate and enforce the new system of labor decreed by the President of tho United States, and the peoplo, though conquered, will not have the additional humilliatiou and reproach which they would bring upon themselves, if they consent to destroy their own constitution which was bequeathed to them by their fath ers. Besides these various reasons against thc policy advocated hy th< meeting, it appears to mo that it is premature for the people to move itt present. Tho authorities at Wash ington h .vc not indicated thc course they pro pose to pursue towards the State, nor have they manifested great zeal in the restoration of that Union for which they have professed ly been fighting for the lust four years. They have not asked thc State to returu to tho Un ion, nor have they announced the terms upou which it can do so. When they have dono these things, it will he time enough for thc State to take counsel how to act. 1 r< Minuend, then, with all defcrcneo to yourself and thc gentlemen? over whom you presided the other day, that the people should remain perfectly quiet, taking no action what ever in public affairs. Leave all those* mat tera to thc Unite ! States Government, which will, doubtless, in good time, provide a gov ernment for you. Until that is done, the cartridge box can take tho placo of tho ballot box, and the bayonet is a good substitute for the law. lt is better to be governed by these than to give to your State a constitution which misrepresents the wishes of thc people, hu miliates their pride, debauches their society, destroys their prosperity and degrades their Slate. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your friend and follow-citizot) WADE HAMPTON. It was clear to my mind that thc true poli cy of the South was to remain passive, ob serving, with the moat scrupulous fidelity, thc obligations wc assumed when wo laid down our arms, and making no concessions beyond those embtaccd in thc terms upon which we surrendered. I held that tho Uuitod States Government had not only 'ottered terms to the South, but* that Its faith "was pledged to tho observance of those terms. Every official act of every department of that 'government, du ring the war, declared that the Southern States were still members of the Union, and Cou uro*?, by au almost unanimous vote, in the most solemn manner " Resoliw?, That this war was not waged, on our part, in any spirit of oppression, nor for ?ny purpose of conquest or subjugation, nor purpose of overthrowing or interfering with the rights or established institutions of thc States, but defend and maintain thc suprema cy of thc constitution, and to preserve the Union with all the dignity, equality and rights of thc several States unimpaired. That as soon as these objects aro accomplished, tho war ought to cease." The same body gave the strongest evidence that they regarded the Union unbroken, even during the war, hy their recognition of Mr. Carlisle es Senator from Virginia - I mean thc noble <l Old Dominion," and not her ille gitimate and degenerate child, West Virginia -and allowing him to retain his seat until near the close of thc war. The very paroles given to the Southern soldiers promised thc protection of thc United States Government to those holding them, so long as they obeyed thc laws of " tho States wherein they resi ded ;" thus recognizing, not only tho South ern States as States, but the laws of those States. Wc had every reason, as far as wo could trust to the faith of our opponents, to believe that the Southern States would be re ceived into thc Union with all their " digni ty, equality and rights unimpaired," aa soon ns they renewed their allegiance to the general government, and acknowledged its supremacy. It would bo foreign to the purpose of this communication to discuss what faith has been kept with thc South-mankind has already affixed to that sort of faith the name of Pu nic ; I only touch on these points to show the mistakes committed by tho South, when it conformed to those demands of the North which wero interpolated into the conditions, <(/fih oui-surrender. Our State Conventions wore mistakes ; so were tho changes of our constitutions ; greater than nil othors was the legislation ratifying the amendment of the United States Constitution known ns Article 14. I sm well aware that tho notion of tho Southern people, nt that time, was dictated by an honest desiro to seonro tho blessings of penco, and by a high sense of honor, which prompted them to show that they were sincere in their wish to do everything that would tond to tho restoration of tho Union on honorahlo terms I have no hesitation in assorting that thu Southern States would thou have boon brough back to tho Union with more of "loy alty"'-JO oso a favorito oxpression of the North-than hail existed amongst them for forty years past,.kau' tho North proved itself . tobo ns magnanimous a? it had shown i tee.'f to bo powerful.- But P Wai tho misfortune, not only of the Sont h, but of thc \r hole cou try, that tho party which had obtained posses sion bf tho govoromont was moro intont on so ouribg its own powor. than of restoring tl;o Union to iis owp pristine glory. After ac quiring, power, on the sole ground of bringing baek tho Southern States to tho oommon fold, with all their "dignity, equality and rights ur.impoi.red," they basely betrayed the peo?lo of tho North, by 8ubovdin?>ieg the interests and rights of ten States $ Ute pffbrfc to per petuate tho power of theil party, .falsifying, while they did so, eyeffplodge which they .hnd.roadb daring w'Q?ntitiuJfttitQl the Var. Tho war, which waa professedly waged solely for the restoration of the Union, in its pior reas, degenerated into an open attempt, on the part of its authors, to consolidate; lind perpet ?ate Radical rule, and a government, which was founded on the noble maxim that "gov ernments derive t hoir just powers from the consent of thc governed," has been perverted to the base ond.s of subjecting ten millions of ita people to a military despotism. That I may uot be accused of stating thia proposition in stronger laug lingo than is war ranted by the facts of thc <. :so, I beg to call your attention to the following extract of an article which emanated from Massachusetts. Rearing thc imprimatur of Rosten, ?ts lan guage, which, had it been Uttered hero, might have smacked of treason, can be regarded only as loyal : "Thc principle," says this writer, "on which the war was waged by the North, was simply this : That men may rightfully he com pelled to submit to and support, a government that they do not want ; and that resistance on their part makes them traitors and Orin)innis. No principle that is possible to be named can be. more self-evidently false than this, or more self-evidently fatal to all political freedom. Yet it triumphed in the field, and it is now assumed to be established. If it he really es tablished, the number of slaves, instead of having been diminished by the war, baa been ??routly inorounod j for ? u.tin thus gubjeotod to a government that he does not want, is u slave; and there is no difference in principle, but only in degree, between political and chat tel siavery. The former, no less than the lat ter, denies a man's ownership ot' himself and tho products of his labor, and assorts that oth er men may own him and dispose of bini and his property for their uses and at their pleas ure, devious to the war, there were some grounds for saying that in theory, nt least, ii" not in practice, our government was a free one -that it rested on consent. Rut nothing of ttint kind can be said now, if the principle on which Ibo war was carried on by tho North is irrevocably established." Hero we are told in emphatic language, by a Northern man, whoso mind cannot be ob scured certainly by the so called heresies of Southern doctrines, what was the principle on which the war was waged hy tho North, and we arc warned-(Jod grant that the warning may not bc in vain-what will bc tho result if tilts' principle is Irrevocably estuldiohcd. Let it. be established, and we may bid adieu to constitutional liberty-republican institut: ins will be swept away in the storm tlr.it. will arise, and we shall enter on those dark and gloomy scenes which-will always precedo a nation's death. Thc time will then indeed have come for us to pray, in the words of a fearless and eloquent son of Georgia, for tko speedy ad vent of " the American C.-osav." Tire whole reoojit legislation of the fractional Congress at Washington seems to have univ in view to break down all the barriers of Ilia Constitu tion of thc United States; to ignore the im mortal truths of the great rebellion of Tb, and to cou veli a government, which had, as its only foundation, " the consent of tho gov erned," into one sustained by force alone. None of the Radicals pretend that the milita ry bills are constitutional. They rid mit - perhaps I should say, rather, they tru-t--Ilint these measures arc unconstitutional, while t. ideavor to make the South ratify them, hy arousing and appealing to thc basest, pas sions of human nature, fear and cupidity. They threaten us with confiscation, on thc one hand, if we do not accept th es o measures ; they give thorn the soniblancc of law, while on the other they attempt to bribe those amongst us who arc so base and venal as to bc willing to purchase immunity for themselves by selling the liberties of their country, i Arc these despicable motives st rouge enough to corrupt' the virtue of (he Southern people? Will that peoplo, who have proved themselves capable of making any and all sacrifices for the sake of their principles,, sink so row ns lo buy the mere privilege to live-even if they live slaves-hy giving up all that they have here tofore held sacred, and all that makes life itself worth having? Will they allow their action to bo influenced by throats? Threat* cari never govern bl fl VC men. A rc they afraid of confiscation by Congress ? If they adopt these Reconstruction nets, they will most ns stiredly suffor confiscation in its worst and most tyrannical form, through tho " reconstructed" ?tates. It is for them to detcrmi ne these mo mentons questions for themselves. ihe^ havo alroady earricd concession to thc vcrgr of folly. Hear what another Northern writei Says on this poi at : "The programme of thc ruling party can not bo alterod or changed by concession. That lins been tried in thc South, All tin demands of Congress havo boen c?mplice with by tho States lately in revolt. Thej have altered thoir constitutions, adopted tlx amendment abolishing slavery, attended ti the condition of the freedmen, repudiated th? debt contracted by them for war purposes, am in this manner showed their anxiety to rc sumo constitutional relations with tho Fedora Government. Rut oneh cotices&ion bas hem mot with a fresh demand, until at thc presen time, ten States hnvo been turned into milita ry divisions, ton Governors, oh osen by tin people, superseded by fivo Rrigndipr-Gcnerals and the will of a minority Congress place.? over and abovo th? power and authority o tho constitution. * * * In order to carry ou this sohcnie, which was concocted by tho rev olutionary committee of Congress, tho South ern States aro made subject to ? military ty ranny, without limitation or responsibility, c. other ohooks or instructions, that? that it sjrtl uso its powora literally to oarry out the politi eal purposes of the rijlbig party in tho na tion/' Xiii this policy of oonoossion to unlawfo demands been so productive of benefit, tba we still desire to pursue it ? Aro wo pr< pored for the sake of expediency-that fatal fallacy which has lured uss?) laroo the road to destruction-that Trojan Horse which IIOH brought with it an Iliad of woes-to barter away t!>e few rights remaining to us? Yet this is the course we must .follow, if we ac cept terms which we know lo be contrary to tho condition on which Wi surrendered, which are inimical to all truo reconciliation, I aud wh eh are in open and palpable violation of thc '"Constitution of tho United States of that couatitution which we ' wear to support, nt tue Very moment wo are grossly oin raging its most sacred provisions ! Would hot those j who volo for those laws, knowing thom to be ! uncoiiiilitutional, he guilty of perjury ? NV hat i good o m come of laws which begin iii fraud I and eau be carried into affect only by perjury? Let ino not he understood as making any re ? flectior.s on tl !o.->c Southern men who honestly I j and conscientiously advocate our acceptance ' of the&o military bills. Any divisions amongst I us ure to bo deprecated, and it is unwise as it is unkind to impuugu the in dives of men [ who, on many a Held, have proved their dc ; votion to the South. Especially do I regret the Violent attacks which have been made on that gallant soldier who so long and so ably lcd the illustrious First Corps of the Army ?of Northern Virginia, lt has been his hard fate, in peace as in war, to be wounded by his own people, 'that charity which " hope th all things" and a natural distrust of our o\ ? judgment, should make us treat the convic tions of such men with at least kindly and proper consideration. Hut for those " who .?Co Hie right and yet the wrong pursue," who.' while their country seems tobe strug gling in the throes ot death, nonsuit only their own DaSO fears and low instincts-who, lo save their vile property or still moro vile persons, j would degrade their State-who bid us accept dishonor ns the price of safety-language has no terms strong enough to brand their infamy. They arc as far beyond thc reach of adequate punishment in this world as they are beneath the scorn and contempt of all honorable men. But tn return to thc consideration of thc Reconstruction acts, from which this digres sion Lis lcd me. What inducements do the advocates of these measures hold out to us to accost them ? Cou they promise us peace ? Loon at Tennesseo, and learn what kind of peace We are to have. (Jan they promise us an V^A'ptnblo Sta to constitution-one that will-not tm hflorfcvrcd'with by Congress? Look at Delaware, .Maryland and Kentucky -three " loyal" sovereign States-which are to bc put on trial before a Star Chamber com mittee, on the charge of not having republi can constitution. Can they promise a resto ration of the Union? Thc Radioal rulers expressly declare that their measures are not finalit?s." Con tiny promise, even that i doubtful good, represen tat ion in the Congress j of the United States? T refer you to Ken ! tucky, whose representatives are ignominious I ly rejected, because rebels voted for than ! I Hut suppose that the Stute accepts thc terms I proposed by the military bills ; that she agrees to thc permanent, and total exclusion from hov councils of the intellect, the experience, thc . wisdom and tho patriotism which, in times past, gave her lustre ; that, instead of thes( noble qualities and virtues, she commits hoi political destinies to the guidance of igno rance, inexperience, folly und radicalism that she adopts a constitution disfranchising forever tho men who, in obeying her commune to defund ber, believed that they were scrviiq Cod ; that sho " buys-ignominious purchase-sliort repose, Willi dying curse-* ami lin; groans of. those Thal served ami loved, and put in their trust." Suppose abc docs all these things, and tba thc Radicals then graciously permit her fi send her representatives to \\ fishington, frou what class will she select the men who arc ti fill tho places once honored by Lowndes, Cal houn, MeDuffie, Preston, Chcves, Mayne, Hu gm and their glorious compeers? Tho sauv body which hus shown such wisdom and mag nainity in framing these Reconstruction net that are to bring so many blessings in thci train, gives you the answer in the following act of Congress ? "I. Horcaftcr any person elected or ar pointed to any office of power or profit undc the Government of the United States, eitbc in thc.civil, military or naval departments c the United States, shall, before entering Ul on tho duties of suoh office, and being ent tied to any of thc salary or other emolument thereof, take and subscribe the following oath '1 do solemnly swear, that 1 have never volui ta my borne a rms against the. 1 Inited Statessinc 1 have been a citizen thereof; that I havevolui tarily given no aid, countenance, counsel, < encouragement to persons engaged in arnie hostility thereto ; that T have neither sougl nor accepted1,, nor attempted to exercise, til funotions of any ellice whatever, under an authority in hostility to the United States that T havo not yielded a voluntary support ? any pretended government, authority, powi or constitution within the United States, ho tile or inimical thereto. And I do furtlx swear, thot to the pc'sH of my knowledge on ability, I will support and defend the Constitt tion of the United States against oil enomic foreign and domestic ; tho,t 1 will bear tri faith and allegiance to tho same; that I tat this obligation freely, without any mental rc j ervatioTi or purpose of evasion ; and thrit. will well ana faithfully disohargo tho duti< 'pf tho.office on which I am about to ontor so help me God I' And any person who she falsely take tho said oath shall bo guilty porj?i*, ami on conviction, ht addition to tl nonalup now proscribed for that offence, sin bo deprived of bis office, nod renderod inc pablo of ???r after holding any office or pla ?hder the government of tho United States Is representation in 0ongrcs8 sovofv dc rabio, that wo should send mon there wlio o take that oath,' rather than that wo should i main unrepresented longer'?' Can tlie people of the State trust those who could or who wuuhl take it ? For thc honor of our State, I should prefer that ?he should not be repre sented in the halla cf Congress until her dole gates can enter thom as free men, representing a sovereign State, with all her " dignity, equal ity and rights unimpaired." Wheu that day eoincs, there may bo a restoration of the Union io fact, us well as in . theory ; when North and South, forgiving tho past, even if they cannot forgot it, may meet as equals on some common ground, where the honor, the rights and tho feelings of both can bc recog nized and respected. But until that day does come, in thc words of Patrick Henry, " fieiitlenicu may cry peace ! jteacc ! but there is no peace .'" His scarcely necessary for me to say that, entertaining the views 1 have expressed, I think it far preferable tho State should re main in its present condition, under military rule, than that it should give its sanction to measures which wc believe to be illegal, un constitutional and ruinous, lt is my honest and linn belief, that the voluntary acceptance of these measures by our people would surely brill?:, not only to the South, but to the whole country, ctils far greater than any we have yet suffered. The North, flushed with suc cess, and drunk with power, may not be able to realize this fact ; but as Kurolv UR tho South f?Ho ? Tictttu to irectsjionsible and unlicensed power, so surely will iii? North lose its liber ties. Ruin to the South will react on thc Nor til, and if wc uro crushed into thc dust, thc Northern people will sec but the foreshad owing of their own certain doom. Recognize, as an established principle, the right of any political party that may be in thc ascendancy to fix upon all who differ with them laws un authorized by the Constitutum of the Uuited States, and we shall begin that downward ca reer \v 11 i c 11 will lead us steadily through con fusion, anarchy and blood, to thc certain over throw td'republican institutions and free gov ernment. Believing this, 1 regard it the duty of every tuan, in thc exercise of tho right ac corded to all by these military bills, to oppose their adoption by nil lawful means. As thc people have the privilege, thou, of expressing either assent or dissent on this question, I advise them, earnestly, to record the lattor as fully und solemnly afc possible. Let every man register ami etist hi's vote against thc Convention, si-uoo the qncstiou will bc mudo on that issue. These, gentlemen, are the conclusions to which I havo been brought by the most anx ious consideration of those " important mat ters soon to bc submitted to the people of thc State." They have been laid before you at greater length than I intended, but it seemed to nie best to let you have my premises, af well as my conclusions, in order that you might judge ol'thc correctness of both. I can only declare that I have discussed this mo mctitou* question with tho single desire to ur rive nt the truth, and I hope that it has at least boon discussed in a temperate and- dis passionate spiri*. liCt me bring ono othei subject, surges. >d by your letter, to your con sideration, and 1 shall tax your patience nc farther. Von any, truly, that I, as well as yourselves have hoped and striven for entire harmon} of action among our people." It has beet my most earnest desire to secure this harino ny, as it has been my constant effort to alla; excitement, ami to ?ow???) nhodtancA tin th laws. This has been tho prevailing scntiinen amonir; our people, and if it fails of its object it will not be our fault. As it is of the Inst consequence to main tai l thc same amicable relation;-, which have herc tofors oxiated between tho whites and th blacks, I cannot too strongly reiterate in; counsel, that all classes should cultivato har mony and cxerciso forbearance. Let our pee pie remember that the negroes have, ns a gen eral rule, behaved admirably, and that the; arc in no manner responsible for the presen condition of affairs. Should they, in the fu turc, be. misled by wicked or designing men let us coi "1er how ignorant they neeessaril are, and , us, only the more, try to convino thom that wo arc their best friends. Dei with them with perfect justice, and th us-sh o< that you 7ish to promote their ndvuncemer nod enlightenment. Do this, and the nebroo will not only learn to trust you, but they wi soon appreciate the fact so evident to us, tnt icc can do without them /ar better titan tire can do without nat. On n late public occasion, where many ( you wore present, I expressed my perfect wi lingncss to sec impartial suffrage cstnblishc at the South, and I believe that this opinio is entertained, not only by a largo majority < thc intelligent and reflecting whites, but nb of thc same clnss among tho blacks. I dopr< cato universal suffrage, not only on goner principles, but especially in the case bofoi us, because I dcrty tho right of Congress t prescribo tho rules of citizenship in the State Tho Supremo Court has decidid that n nugi is not a citizen of tho United State?, and Coi cress cannot reverso that deoision by an nc Tho States, however, aro coiii potent to con fi citizenship on thc negro, nod I think it is tl part of wisdom that such action should ho t ken by tho Southern States. Wo hove re ognizod the freedom of the blacks, and hm placed this fact beyond all probability of doul doninl or recall. Let us recognize in tl same frank manner, and as fully, thoir poKl tyl rights also. For myself, I coufes? that an? perfectly willing to seo a constitution adof. cd by ow State, conferring tho olectivo fra chiee*; on tho negro, on precisely tho sar tonus flu it is to ho exoroisod by tho whi man, guarding against tho abuso of this pfi ilogo by establishing a slight educ?>?ionai ai property qualification for all chutes. I hayo thqs, gontlenton, ?pdoavored to coi ply, as fully ?fi possible, with^ho requost cc voyed in your* letter. A fie uso of duty to t * ! . . I iStato, und tm eminent desire to show my re spect to my fellow-citizens, from whom I hnvo received su many marlen of kindness and con fidence, are the only motives which could havo induced me to lake any part in public affairs. If the crude views thrown out for your con sideration, aro instrumental in arousing any one to a sense of tho dangers surrounding us, or if they can bc of tho slightest boucfit to , those who have, called for thom, they will havo accomplished their ends. Thauking you ngain for the honor you have done mo in ask ing counsel of mo, and r"aying that our efforts to save our beloved State from ruin may bo successful, I am, with great respect and es teem, your friend and fellow-citizen. WA DK HAMPTON. To Mcs?t?. t>, Wi Kay, W. II. Talley, J. P. Thomas, Ki M. Law, and others. CoLi'MBiAy August 7, 1SG7. 0 By the President of the TJuited States. A PHOCLAMATION. Whereas, by tho Constitution of the Uni ted States, the Executive power is vested in a Pr?sident of thc United States of America, who ih bound by solemn oath .faithfully to ex ecute the ollicc of President, and, to thc best, of his ability, fo preserve, protect and dofend the Constitution of thc United States, and is, by thc sauie io*tj->"?o?*> ?.-J? Oo...i.i?uUci in-Ohicf of the Army and Navy of the Uni ted Stales, and is required to take caro that, the laws be faithfully oxecutcd ; and whereas, by the si.me Constitution, it is provided that the said Constitution and the laws of tho Uuitcd States, which shall be made in pursu ance thereof, shall be the Rupremo law of the land, and tho judges tn every State shall be bound thereby ; and whereas, in and by the same Constitution, thc judicial powers of the United States is invested in ono Supremo Court, and in such other courts ns Congress may, from time to time, ordain and establish ; and the aforesaid judicial power is declared to extend to all crisco in law1 and equity arising under thc Constitution, thc laws of the Uni ted States, nud' thc treaties which shall bo made under their authority ; and whereas of ficers, civil and military, are bound by oath that they will support and sustain tho Consti tution against' all euoinies, foreign and domes tic, and will'bear true faith and allegiance to the same ; and whereas all ofliccrs of ibo aTtoy and navy of tho United ?5tat*u,-in accenting their commissions uiider tl?oia^vToi . ^ugrws^ji and the rules and' articles o* war, iucur an ob ligation to observe, obey and follow stich di rections as" they 6hh.il',_ from time io time, re ceive from the Prudent, or General, or oth er superior officer's*'serving them, according to thc rules and discipline of war ; and where as it is provided by law that, whenever, by reason of unlawful obstructions, combinations . or assemblages of persons, or rebellion against the authority of the Covornmont of thc Uni ted S;ate.T, it shall becomo impracticable, in the judgment of thc President of the United States to enforce, by the ordinary courso of judicial procoeding, thc laws of tho Uuited States within any State or Territory, the Ex ecutive, in that oase, is authorized and re quired to secure their faithful execution by the assistance of the laud and naval forces ; and wherens mipcP.ments and obstructions, serious in their character, have rcocntly boon interposed in the States of North Carolina and South Carolina, hindering thc performing, for a time, n proper enforcement thcro of tho laTro of ?La l'nliod Sterns, and of tho judg ment's and decreer, of a lawful court thereof, in disregard of thc command of tho Presi dent of tho United States; and wherens reas onable and woll-foundcd apprehensions exist that such ill-advised and unlawful proceedings may bo ngain attempted there or elsewhere : Now, therefore, I, Audrew Johnson, Pres ident of the United Stutes, dohcreby worn all persons against obstructing or hinderirij; in any way whatever tho faithful execution of the Constitution nnd the laws; and I do sol emnly enjoin the -?unmanding officers of tho Government, cr . I nd military, to render duo submission and obedience to said laws nnd to thc judgments and decrees of thc courts of tho United Skates, and to give all tho aid iu their power* necessary to tho prompt or force ment and execution of such laws, decrees, judgments and processes ; nod I do hereby enjoin upon the officers of tho army and navy to assist and sustain thc courts and other oiv il onthoritics of tho United States in a faith ful adminiKt/atien of th? laws thereof, aud[ in tho judgment*, decrees, mandates and pro cesses of tho courts of tho United States, and oall upon all good and well-disposed citizens of the United State? to romombor that upon tho said Constitution and laws, and upon tito judgments, decrocsand prooesscs of tho cou-ta, made in accordanco with tho same, depend tho perpetuation of tho lives, liberty, prosper ity and happiness of the people And 1 ex hort every ono to testify their devotion tc their country, thoir prido in its prospority and greatness, and their determination to uphold its free institutions by a boarty; co-opcratiou in the offerts of tho Govommo?t to Bus.taff the authority of tho lnw> to maintain tho an ?v. cmaoy of tho Federal Constitution, and t< preserve unimpaired tho integrity of tho Na tionnl Union. In testimony whereof,, I haVe causod tin soul of tho United States to be affixed to thes presents, and sigh tho sa\no with my fyand.r-4 Done at tho city of Washington, the thir< day of Soptombciv in tho vear of our Lor< opo thousand.cigM hundred and sixty scvoi: By tho Presidcnti ANDREW JOHNSON. WM. H.'SKWAftuji jSecceta-ry pf State. A UNION man of the original stripe in Ai lunta. was approached, tb>M\?t,4$rind as&C to subscribe to the r^noOlB mondm?mV ; ft remarked that ho bod; already s?bRrtrlbid'r?i threo likely negroes, w? ho did liorfiw \ ^-|>r080t)t/ ty? ?dJbfcoribo nty moro.