Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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FIRST OUE HOMES; TECEIST OTHR STATE,; FINALLY fHE NATION; THESE CONSTITUTE OUR COUNTRY. - VOLUME 1. SATURDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 7, 186T. 91 NtTMBERr'29' THE ORANGEBURG NEWS. ?:o:? PUBLISHED AT ORANGEBURG, C. S Every Saturday Morning. ?:o:? SAMUEL DIBBLE, Editor. I V.. C. DIBBLE, Associate Editor. CHARLES H. UALL, PdUshcr. ?:o:? TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION. One Copy for one year.,.?. $2.00 *? " " Six Months. 1.00 " ?? u xhrco ? . GO Any one making up a CLUB of FIVE ANNUAL 8?BSCRIBERS will receive an extra copy FREE OF CHARGE. ~' '% RATES OF ADVERTISING. 1 tf.'UMVfc 1st Insertion.\. $1.50 ** ?' SM " . 75 A Sqikre c^8'3*3 of 101? cs Brevier or one inch of Advertising spn'5c Contract. Advertisem^ts inserted upon the most liberal terms. MARRIAGE and FUNERAL .NOTICES, not ex ceeding one Square, inserted without barge. ?:o:? JBQy Terms Cash in Advance, ~S?a * For further particulars, apply to Ma. Charles II. Hall, or address SAMUEL DIBBLE, ' ~ Euator OttANUKuuiiQ News. Orangeburg, S. C. fob 23 o ly PUBLICQ^FICERS. OBANGEBURG DISTRICT. OuniSAHY?P. A. McMichacl. Commissioner in Equity?V. D. V. Jamison. Clbrk up CocnT?Joseplj F. Robinson. Snr.iurr?J. W. II. D?kes. Cojionuk?C. B. Glover. Tax Cou.kctoks.?Orange Parish.?P. W. Fairy: .... 8L-.Mjiil.hcwa...I???wl>-W.-ItJlt^.v-tvi. - Asst.. Assessor U. S. Revenue,?George W: Sturgeon. An knt run Stamps, &o;?P. V. Dibble. Mauistkatrs?Thomas P. Stokes, W. R. Tread well, A. J. Gaskine, F. W. Fairy, David L. Connor, J. II. Felder, Levin Argoe, R. V. Dnnnclly, E. A. Price, W. L. Ehncy, J. D. Pricket, Samuel E. Moor er, C. B. Glover, E. C. Ilolman, P. C. Buyck, F. M. TVannamaker, D. O. Tindall. Commissioners to Approve Securities?J. G. Wannamaker, James Stokes, D. R. Barton, Adam Smoke, A. D. Frederick. Commissioners or Public Buildings?Wm. M. JHutson, Ilarpin Riggfl, K. Jvspkicl, Joseph P. !Iar *oy, F. II. W. Briggraann. Commissioners or Roaus?Orange Parish?West ley Ilouser, F. W. Fairy, Sarauel M. Fairy, Samuel G. Fair, F. Livingston, W. S. Rilcy, Wcstley Culler, H. C. Wannamuker, N. E. W. Sistrunk, 11. Living ston, James Stokes, J. D. Knotty, II. P. Antlcy, John S. Bowman, J. L. Mooror, W. C. Moss, Lewis Gn riek, B. A. Yon, J. II. O'Cain, EUison Connor, John j^die, J. G. Guiguard, Jacob Cooncr, George JJyrd, 'Tt Jennings, David Dannelly. Commission Kits Ol RoAns?St, Matthews Parish? C. fl. Darby, W. P- Hanc, M. K. Holman, Andrew Jleaser, J. A. Parlour, E". T. Shular, J. L. Parlour, ,9weh Shulor, T. G. Shular, W. L. Pou, J. W. Sel lexa, R n' Kalcs> J- Barbour, Augustus Avin *crf v'.ltl kvi?tCT; J- ?? M. J. Keller, J. 0. J&eJsiaa. Comjuish on nits or Fur.r. Schools?o "finge Far ish David L. Coanor, J. R. Milhous, Henry N. B?bll, John Jordan, N. C. Whetstone, John Inabinct, Dr. O. N. Bowman, Samuel Dibblu. Commissionkus of Fhf.i; SCHOOLS?St. Matthews Parish?Peter Buyck, J. II. Keller, Wcstley Ilouser, John Rilcy, J. H. Fehler, Adam Holmau. Commissioners or tub Poon.?Orange Parish.? W. II. Treadwoll, John Grambling, W. II. Izlar, J. B. Morrow, S. B. Sawyer. Post Oflices in Orangelmrg District. offices, postmasters. Orangeburg.Thaddeus C. Ilubbell, St. Matthews.Mrs. Sally J. Wiles. Vance's Ferry.U. M. E. Avingcr. Branchvillc.Mrs. Amy Thompson. Fort Motte.lohn Birchmorc. Schcdulo South Carolina Hail Road. Down Passenger, Leave Columbia ai.? O.oOA. ?I. 41 Orangchurg at.,. 10..TJ A. M. Arrive at Charleston. 4 P. M. ?" ?' Augusta. 5 P. M Up Passenger. vLcavo Augusta at. 7 A. M. " Charleston at. HA. M. ?? Orangchurg at. 1.80 P. M. Arrive at Columbia at. 5.20 P. M. Down Freight. ?Leave Orangeburg at.10 A. M. ^Arrive at Charleston at. 0.10 P. M. Up Freight. Leave Orangchurg at.l.!JS P. M. Arrive at Columbia at.0.30 P. M. iwar23 8 '? POLITICAL. Wade Hampton's Letter, General Wade Hampton has written a long letter in response to an appeal from Messrs. 1). W. Ray, Win. II. Talley, J. P. Thomas, E. M. Law, and about sixty others, for his advice with regard to their action in the very impor tant matters soon to be submitted to tho people of this-State. Those gentlemen say : "We have no intention to oppose the execu tion of any law, oven wore it in our power, but under the Reconstruction Act, certain latitude of action is loft us, which entails upon us en tire responsibility for all consequences which may flow therefrom. Wo believe this respon sibility to be very grave, and those consequen ces vital to every class of our community, in separably connected as tiro the interests of all. ltocont- events show that there is no longer n possibility ff that entire harmony of action among ouT ppoplc, for which you and wo have heretofore Iio^cd and striven. The views of the whole community are uuscttlcd by the new aspect of affairs, and tlu" people look to those who command their eouHuClco f?r a course of action upon which all may n^TCC. who truly desire the prosperity of the State. General Hampton replies as follows : Gentlemen:?T bog to acknowledge the re ceipt of the letter, in which you do mo the honor to ask my "advice with regard In your action in tho very important matters soon to ho submitted to the people of the State." Though I cannot but fool that many of those whoso names .uro signed to' this communication arc far more competent to offer counsel on tho grave topics ?0W agitating the public mind than myself, its I doom it to bo the duty of every man, when called on by his fellow-citi zens, in times ol peril, to contribute ail in bis power to promote tho general welfare, or to ward olT the common danger. I willingly com ply with your flattering request. Recognizing, then, the duty imposed on mo by your call, and impelled, also, by tho great respect 1 feel for those who have thus honored me, I shall state with perfect candor the immi nent dangers surrounding us. and point out with equal frankness tho only course which, in my judgment, wo can pursue with honor, or with any hope of ultimate safety. Before pro ceeding to the discussion of the present condi tion of affairs, it is proper to lot you know what wore the views entertained by myself im mediately after the cessation ol active hostili ties, and what was tho course I thought, our. .people should?then,dbUbw. This car/hot be alone more concisely than by giving to you a copy of a letter addressed to James ( !. Gibbos, Esq., chairman of a public meeting, which was held here in August. 180"). Not being iu the city at that time, I wrote the following letter, which, yielding to the views of others. 1 after wards determined not to publish: August 2t>. 1SC?. To fit's Honor James G. Gibbcs. Moi/or of Co lumbia : Sin?Having been absent when the late public meeting was held in the city, 1 take this method of expressing my views on the subjects discussed on that occasion. It is with some reluctance that 1 express these views, as I do not concur in the policy advocated by the meeting. Is it desirable that the people of the State should take any action louking to a rCSl-oration of civil government at present ? i think ."nt; ami for these reasons: The Stole i? cither' a member of the Federal Union, or it is not. Ii l\ meml^r. they not only is it a work of supererogation for he? to *sk admission to the Union, but she is, by the Constitution 0* "10 United States, guaranteed a Republican form oi Government, and shohas the right to administer her Government under such a Constitution and by such laws as she chooses. Bht if she is, on the contrary, not a member of the Union, sho must be regarded either as a Territory, or us a conquered province. In cither condition, the United Statcsauthoritics uro charged with the duty of providing a proper Gov ernment for her, and I think the truo policy of the State iB to remain passive until suoh Government is given to her, or is forced upon her. If the course indicated by the meeting here is followed by the State, what will he iuu icsult? Will it lead to the restoration of the Union ns it existed, nnd to the rc csb.Mishiucnt of the Constitution and laws oi this Stale? I do not think thnt such will be the case. To resIuro the State to the Union h}' the plan con templated iu the resolutions adopted by the meet ing here- it will be necessary to cnll a Conven ,,'mof the Stole. That a Convention, chosen as thai w :'* *JC' represent the wishes of the people of lhe*S{Ai'"- 's an impossibility. Hut passing over this grave ohje* *^on? there remains the still graver one as to the adop.4.5"" of a Constitution; Are the people of the State w?,7<?fb h>' ,ho adoption or a new and totally different i.'o?sti!-Utiott, to ignore all the teachings of the past, io h^bverl the whole oi der of society, to change, in a mom^af^-ds whole or ganization, und, in a word, to coinniiJ l/iC (':;~ pression may be used) political suicide? YoMhis is the inevitable tendency of the course rceomn."ml- . cd by the meeting. No one, for n moment, sup- \ poses that the State will be admitted into the Union with its present Constitution. To gain ndmission, the .Suite must come with a Constitution represent ing, not the views and interests of the people of South Carolina, but those of Massachusetts, ll may be urged that the Slate must come with such a Constitution, or not come at nil. If stich is the fact, then let her not come al all. The United States Government will hold the country, as it now docs, by military occupation; ii? troops will be present to inaugurate and enforce the new system of labor deerecil by the President of the United States, ami the people, though conquered, will not have the ad ditional humiliation and reproach which they would bring upon themselves, if they consent to destroy their own Constitution, which was be queathed to them by their lathers. besides these various reasons nguinsl the policy advocated by Iho meeting, it appears to me thai ii is premature for the people to move at present. The authorities at Washington have not indicntcll the course I hey propose to pursue towards the Stale, nor have they manifested great seal in the restora tion of Hint Union for which they have professedly been fighting for the last four yours. They have nol asked tho Stale to return to the Union, nor have they announced the terms upon which it can do so. When I hey have done these things, il will bo lime enough for the State to take counsel how lo not. 1 recommend, then, will all deference to yourself and the gentlemen over whom you presided the oth er day, that the people should remain perfectly quiet, taking no action whatever in public affairs.. Leave all these matters lo the United Stales Govern ment, which will, doubtless, in good time, provide a Government for you. Until that is done, the cnrt-| ridgo box can take tiic place of I lie ballot box; and the bayonet is n good substitute for the law. It is better to be governed by these than to, give to your State a Constitution which misrepre-! scnts the wishes of the people, humiliates their pritlc, debauches their society, destroys their pros perity and degrades their State. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your friend and fellow-citizen, WADE HAMPTON. ? It was clear to my mind that the true policy of the South was to remain, passive, observing,, with tlic most scrupulous fidelity, the obliga-. tious wo assumed when wo laid down our arms,' and ninking no concessions beyond those om oraccd in tho terms upon which wo .surrender-' ed. I held that, the United States Govern ment had not only offered terms to the South, but that its faith was pledged to the observance of tbo.-e terms. Kvery official act of every de partment of that Government, during the war, declared that tho Southern States were still members of tho Union, and Congress, by an almost unanimous vote, in the most solemn* manner, "liesolccil, That this war is not waged, on our part, in any spirit of oppression, nur for an}' purpose of conquest or subjugation, nor purpose of overthrowing or interfering with the rights or established institutions of the States, but to defend am. maintain the supre macy of the Constitutioi and to preserve the Union with all the dignity, equality and rights of tb.? several States unimpaired. That as soon as these objects are accomplished, the war OUgllt to cease." They same body gave the strongest evidence? iJjnfc titcy regarded the Union unbroken, even during the war, by their recognition of Mr. Carlisle na ScnaJor iVoni Virginia?I mean the noble SlOld Doimi.'ion/' ami not her illegitimate and degenerate child, Wot Virginia?and al lowing him to retain his sei.t until near the close of the war. The very j.nro.'es given to the Southern soldiers promised tin-, protection of the United States Government to tho?:chold ing them; so i 'tii: as they obeyed (lie JaW.S of "the States wherein they resided :" thus recog nizing, not < uly the Southern Stales as Stuh'.i, but the late* oi' those States. We had every reason, as far as we could trust to the faith of our opponents, to believe that the Southern States woodd he received unto the Union with all their ''dignity, equality and rights unim paired," as soon as they renewed their nlle giaucc to the General Government, and ac knowledged its supremacy. It would be foreign to tho purpose of this communication to discuss what faith has been kept with the South?mankind has already affixed to that sort of faith the name of 1'uioc.j I only touch on tliese -.mints.to *h<*?s talte^exVtTnnllWdHiy"tho South, wl 'hen it con formed to those demands of the North which were interpolated into the conditions, after our surrender. Our Stale Conventions were mis taken, .^o were the changes of our Constitu tions; greater than all others was the legisla tion ratifying the amendments of the United States Constitution known as Article 13. 1 am well aware that the action of the Southern people, at that-time, was dictated by an honest desire to secure the blessings of peace, and by a high sense of honor, which prompted them to show that they were sincere in their wish to do everything that would tend to the restora tion of the Union on honorable terms. 1 have no hesitation in asserting that the Southern States would then have been brought back to the Union with more of ''loyalty"?to use a favorite expression of the North?than had ex isted amongst (hem for forty years past, had the North proved ii.self to be as magnanimous as it had shown itself to be powerful. Hut it was the misfortune, not only id'tho South, but of the whole country, that the party which had yb'niued possession of the Government was more intent ?a securing its own power than of restonV the Union t? own pristine glory. After acquiring power, on the >ch ground oi bringing back the Southern States !? ^ com mon fold, with all their "dignity, equality and rights unimpaired,'' they basely betrayed the people of the North, by subordinating the in terests and rights often States to the effort to perpetuate the power of their party, falsifying, while they did so. every pledge which they had m ule during the continuance of the war. The war. whi< h was professedly waged solely for the restoration of the Union, in its progress, degenerated into the open attempt, oil tho part of its authors, to consolidate and perpetuate radical rule, and a Government, which was founded on the nohie maxim, that ''Govern ments derive their just powers from lite con sult ?l the governed," has been perverted to the base ends of uihjectiug ten millions of it. people to a military despotism. That 1 may no! 1"' accused ;>:' stating this proposition in stronger language than is war ranted by the facts of the case, 1 beg t > ??nil yonr attention to the following < \i. id from an article which emanated from Massachusetts. Hearing the uvprnnofitr of Uoston, its km ?'uaire vvhieh had it been uttered here might have snu'.clcod of treason, can be regarded only as loyal : "The principle*/' says the writer, "on which (ha war was waged by the North, wnt simply tliis: 1 hat men ?:ia> rightfully be cot up lied to submit to and sttpjioil Government that they do nol want ; and Mint resistance on their part mhkns ilium trtiitoW? and criminals. No principle that is possible lo be named can he mure self-evident ly false than (his, or more self cvidcutly fatal t<? all political freedom. Vel it triumphed in the field, and it is now assumed to be established. If ii lie really established, the number of slaves, instead > \' haviim bce:i diminished by tho war, has been greatly in creased; for n man thus subjected to a Govt rn muut that he doca not waul, is u slave ; and there is no difference iit principh . but mil} in degree, bctwc.< u political and chattel shivery. The former,Ho less than the latter, denies a man's ownership of himself ami the products of his labor, and asserts that other men may own him ami dispose of him ami bis property for their uses ami at their pleasure, devious It the war. there wete some grounds for saying that in theory, at least, if not in practice [our Government was a free one?that it rested |,ou consent. But nothing of that kind can lie f.said now, if the principle on which tho war was I carried on by the North is irrevocably estab lished." ilppii,?**%^vare . told in emphatic language, by |ft Northern man, whose miud cannot be" ob scured certainly by the so-called heresies of {Southern doctrines, what was the principle on [which the war was waged by the North, and Ime are warned?God grant that the warning may not be in vain?what will be the result if t?iis principle is irrevocably established. Let ?it bo established, and wc may bid adieu to oon jfctftutional liberty?republican institutions will iJfte swept away in the Storni that will arise, and (ype shall enter on those dark and gloomy scenes which always precede a nation's death. The fcchno will thou indeed have come for us to pray. *iu the words of a fearless and eloquent son of racorgia, for the speedy advent of "the Atimri win Cajsar." The whole recent legislation of the factional Congress at Washington scorns to ^Dnvo only in view to break down all the bar riers, of the Constitution of the i'nited State.-:; ? ro.ignore the immortal truths of the great re bellion of '7(5, and to eonvert a Government, Svuic.li had, as its only foundation, "the consent pfLth'c.governed."' into one sustained by foree ^flrrei.r-'Noiui of tho radicals pretend that the Military Hills are constitutional. They ad mit-?poi'haps i sin.aid say, rather, thoy trust ?that those measures are unconstitutional, #hflc',ljjey endeavor to make the South ratify f.hqti^iy arousing and j>]><.?:? 1 i:ito the basest ffssions'.of human nature, tear ami cupidity hey threaten us with cowli; cation on the one hnnuV^nf, wo do not accept, these measures; ihby gtVc them the semblance of law, while on the other they attempt to bribe those amongst nJsVwdio'are so base and venal as to bo willing to'purehase immunity for themselves by selling mo liberties of their cmdry. '??;.?Aro.these despicable niotiws. sinnig enough T^;corruJpt the virtue of the Southern people? $ill jmak people, who have proved themselves tfapubitfcof m::i.'.n ? ::ny a::d nil .-.o rinees '.'or tlfti piiKe'-of their principles, sinks., luv ::s to buy..-t|p,j|iJer<> privilege to live?even if they live slaYfcs?j.y giving up all that they have heretofore held srured. ami all that makes life i&plf worth Ji::ving ''. Wii! they allow their ac tion ..td Ijc influenced by threats'/ Threats can never govern bnve men. Are they afraid of confiscation by ('ongf's-? If they adopt these Recount met ion Acts, the}' will most as suredly puffer eonlise.ition in its woist and mosl tyrannical'form, through the "reconstructed" Suites. It is for them to determine these mo rnwit<pus questions for themselves. They have .j^BKa^" rried concession to the verge of folly. r^^P^BjKeVirtidt^c ??N'jrtbni-u writer?zfgf&s t?^. '?The programme of the ruling party cannot be altered or changed by concessions. That has been tried in the South. All the demands of Congress have been complied with by the Statt--, lately in revolt. They have altered thei. Constitutions, adopted the amendment abolishing slavery, attended to the condition of the fVccdmon, repudiated the debt contracted by them for war purpose.-, and in this manner showed their anxiety to resume constitutional relations with the Federal Government. But each concession has been met with a fresh de maud, until, at the present time, ten States have been turned into military divisions, ten Governors chosen by the people, superseded by five brigadier-gonerals. and the will ofn minor ity Congress placed over and above the power and author of the Constitution. * # *: * In order i" carry out this scheme, which was concoct oil 1*3' tho revolution?r',' committee ofl Congress, the Southern States are made sub ject to a military tyranny, without limitation or responsibility, or other cheeks or instruc tions, than that it shall use its powers literally' to carry out the polit ical purposes of the ruling party in the nation." Has this policy of concession to unlawful de inamis beeil 20 productive of benefit that wc still desire ?V. pursue h ? Arc wc prepared*, for the sake of expediency?that fatal raiiuey,whivh has lured us so far on the road to destruction? that Trojan Horse which was brought with it an Iliad of woes?to barter away the few rights remaining to us '.'' Vet this is the course wc nuist follow, if we accept terms which we know to bii contrary to the conditions on which wc surrendered, which arc inimical to all true reconciliations, and which are in open and pal pable violation of tho Constitution which wc swear to Support, at the very moment we are grossly outraging its most sacred previsions ! W< uld in t (In sc who vote for these laws, know ing tlieiii to be unconstitutional, bo guilty of perjury V What good can come of laws which begin Hi fraud and can bo carried into oil eel on ly by perjury '{ Lot me nol be understood a. makihg any reflections mi th sc Southern nu n who honestly and conscientiously advocate our tifccplanco of these military bills. Any di visions amongsl us arc be deprecated, and it h as unwise as it is unkind lo impugn the mo tives of tin ii who. on many a In M. have proved their devotion to the South. Kspccially ?h> I regret the virulent attacks which have ben insult; "ii that gallant soldier who so long and s?? al'iy led tho illustrious l?'irsl Corps of (he \nnv of N'orthern Virginia It has been his hard late, in peace as'in war. lb 1?. wounded by his own people. That charity which "hopcth things," ami a natural distrust of our own judgment, should make us treat the convictions of such men with at least kindly and proper consideration. Hut for those "who see the right, and ycl the wrong pursue," who, while tboii country seems to bo struggling in the throes of death, eonsuli only their own base fears and low instinct:?who, to save their vile property or still more vile person-, would degrade their Statt?who bid u> accept difi liohor as the price of safety?language lias no (onus strong enough t ? brand their infamy. They are .is far beyond the run eh of adequate punishment in this world us they are beneath the scorn and contempt of all honorable moil. Hut to ret urn to the consideration of the Koconst ruction Aets, from which this digres sion has led imi. What inducements do tho advocates of these measures hold out ton.- to ? ...... ...... . - fT; T accept them ? Ca? they promise us peace ? Look at Tcnncssscc aud learn what kiud of peace we are to have. Can they promise us an acceptable State Constitution?one that will not be interfered with by Congress? Look at Delewarc, Maryland, Kentucky?three "loyal" sovereign States?which are to be put ou trial i beforo a Star Chamber Committee, on tho charge of not having Republican Constitutions. Can they promise a restoration of the Union ? The radical rulers expressly declare that their measures arc not --finalities." Can they prom-! isc, even that doubtful good, representation in the Congress of the United States? I refer you to Kentucky, whoso Representatives arc ignominiously rejected, because rebels voted for them ! But suppose that the State accepts the terms proposed by the Military Bills ; that she agrees to tho permanent and total exclusion from her councils of tho intellect, the experi ence, the wisdom aud the patriotism, which, in times past, gave her lustre; that, instead of thesec noble qualities and virtues, she commits her political destinies to the guidance of igno rance, inexperience, folly and Radicalism: that she adopts a Constitution disfranchising forever tho men who, in obeying her command to de fend her, believed that they were serving God ; that she "Buys?ignominious purchase?short repose, Willi ?lying curses ami the groans of those Thai served ami loved, ami put in her their trust." Suppose she does all these things, aud that I the Radicals then graciously permit her to send her representatives to Washington, from what [ class will she select the men who are to fill the places once honored by Lowndcs, Calhoun, McDuffic, Preston, Chcvcs, Ilaync, linger and their glorious compeers? The same body which has shown such wisdom and magnanimity in framing these Reconstruction Acts that are to bring so many blessings in their train, gives you the answer in the following Act of Con gress : "1. Hereafter any person elected or appoint ed to any office of power or profit under the Government of the United States, cither in the civil, military or naval departments of the pub lic service, excepting the President of the United States, shall before entering upon the duties of such office, and before being entitled to any of the salary or other emoluments there of, take and subscribe the following oath : 'I do solemnly swear, that I have never volunta rily borne arms against the United States since J have been a citizen thereof; that I have voluntarily given uo uid, countenance, counsel or encouragement to persons engaged in armed hostility thereto; that I have neither sought nor acceptcd^ior attempted to exercise, the fuiKtiotfte?any nffica whatever, under any aulliority^P piuicnddtl authority iii hostility to the United States; that I have notyeildcd a voluntary support to any pretended Govern ment, authority, power or Constitution within the United States, hostile or inimical thereto. And I do further swear, that to the best of my knowledge and ability. 1 will support and de fend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that L will bear true faith aud allegiance to the same; that I take (his Obligation freely, with out any mental reservation or purpose of eva sion ; and that I will well and faithfully dis charge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter?so help me God !' And any person who shall falsely take the said oath shall be guilty of perjury, and on conviction, in addition to the penalties now prescribed for that offence, shall be deprived of his office, and rcndei cd incapable of ever after holding .any office or plaee under the United States." Is representation in Congress so very desira ble that we should send men there who can take that oath, rather than that we should re main unrepresented longer? Can the people of the State trust those who could or who would take it ? For the honor of our State, I should prefer that she should not bo repre sented iu the halls of Congress until her dele gates can enter them as fico men \ represent ing a sovereign S-U.iO, with all her "dignity, equality and rights unimpaired." When that day comes there may be a restoration of the Union in fact as well as in theory; when North and South, forgiving the past, even if they cannot forget it. may meet as equals on some common ground, where the honor, the rights and the fe?lings of both can be recogni zed and respected. But until that day docs come, in the words of Patrick Henry, "Gen tlemen may cry pcaei ! peace! but there is no pfoe,!" It is scarcely necessary for me to say that, entertaining the views I have expressed, I think it far preferable the S'ate should remain in its present condition, under military rule, than that it should give its sanction to meas ures which we believe to bo illegal, unconstitu tional and ruinous. It is my honest aud firm belief that the voluntary acceptance of these ii,i tisurcs by our people would surely bring, not only to the South, hut to the whole country, evils far greater than any wo have yet suffered. The North, flushed with success, and drunk with power, may not be able to realize this fad ; but as surely as the South falls a victim (o irresponsible and unlicensed power, so sure ly will (he Ninth lose its liberties. Ruin to the South will react on the North?and if wc are crushed into the dust the Northern people will see but the foreshadowing of their own certain doom. Recognize, as an established principle, the right of any political party that may be in the ascendency to fix Upon all who differ with them laws unauthorized by the Con stitution of the United States, and we shall begin thai downward career which will lead us steadily through confusion, anarchy and blood, to tho certain overthrow of republican institu tions ami I reo government. Believing this, regard it as the duty of every man. in the o: crci.se of the right accorded to all by the: ? military bills, to oppose their adoption by all lawful means. As the people have (he privi lege, then of expressing either asseid or dis sent on thi> question, 1 advise them, earnestly, to record the latteras fully and solemnly as possible (ttt every muH remitter. " vote, against the Convention, since the question will be made on that issue. ... These, gentlemen,' ure the 6on'clusioo8,,to,# which I have been brought by the most nnx-fxu ious consideration Of those "important matters soon to bo submitted, to the people of. the State." They have been laid before y ou at great er length than I intended, but it'seemed to me : best to let you have my premises, as my con- , elusions, in order that you might judge of tho .correctness of both. I can only say that I' havo discussed this momentous question with the single desire to;arrivo at the truth, and, I, ,j hope that it has at least been discussed in a' temperate and' dispassionate spirit.' ''hCfi--nld*' bring one other subject, suggested .-by your':Iet-i >';i tor, to your consideration, aud I shall tax your; ., - j patience no farther. You say, truly, that I, as well as yourselves, "have hoped and striven for entire harmony,1" of action among our people/' It has been my most earnest desire to secure this harmony, as it has been my constant effort to allay 'excitc mcnt, aud to counsel obedience to tho laws.' This has been the prevailing sentiment among our people, and if it fails of its object, it will * not be our fault. As it is of the last consequence to maintain f/ the same amicable relations which hnvc'hcrcto- ' fore existed between the whites and the blacks, I cannot too strongly reiterate my counsel, that.| all classes should cultivate harmony and dxcr ciso forbearance. Let our people remember that the negroes have, as a general rule, be- ? haved admirably, and that they arc in a man ner responsible for the present condition of af fairs. Should they, in the future, be misled by wicked or designing men. let us consider how ignorant they necessarily aro and let us, only the more, try to convince them that we . arc their best friends. I)enl with them with perfect justice, and thus show that you wish to promote their advancement and enlightenment. Do this, and the negroes will not only learn to trust you, but they will soon appreciate the fact so evident to us, that we can do with OUT THEM FAIl BETTER THAN trey can do >? YVJTttOUT US. On a late public occasion, where many of you were present, I expressed my perfect will ingness to see impartial suffrage established at the South, and 1 believe that this oninion is i entertained, not only by a largo majority of the intelligent anj^ reflecting whites, but also of the same class among the blacks. I deprecate uni versal suffrage, not only on general principles, but especially in the case before us, because Im deny the right of Congress to prescribe the.: rules of citizenship in the States. The Su preme Court has decided that a negr? is not 'a citizen of tho United States, and Congress ? cannot reverse that decision by an Act. Thg. States, however,-oro competent to .'?onifgr,siitU*n, zenship on the negro and I think it isn"' the part of wisdom that such action ^should be taken by the Southern States. We hav? recognized the freedom of the blacks, and have I placed this fact beyond all probability of doubt, - denial or recall. Let us recognize in the same frank manner, and as fully, their political rights also. For myself, I confess that I am perfectly willing to seo a Constitutiou adopted by our State, couforring the elective franchise on the negro, on precisely the same terms a.* it is to be oxcrcisod by the white man, guarding against the abuse of this privilege by establish ing a slight educational and property qualifica tion for all classes. I have thus, gentlemen, endeavored to 'com ply, as fully as possible, with the request con veyed in your letter. A sense of duty to thu State, and an eminent desire to show my re spect to my fellow-citizens, from whom I have received so many marks of kindness and conti-' deuce, are the otdy motives which could havut induced me to take any part in public affaire. If the crude views thrown out for your connt'd--*' eration, arc instrumental in arousing any ono to a sense of the dangers surrounding us, or if they can be of the slighest benefit to rhosd whrf have called for them, they . will havo accom-" plished their ends. Thanking you again for ? the honor you have done me in asking counsel of me, and praying that our efforts to save ??r beloved State from ruin may be successful, F M am, with groat rcapect and esteem, your friend^ and fellow-citizen-, WADE DTAMI'TON. To Messrs. I>. W. Kay, W. II. Tali.ev, j., I\ Thomas, ft. M. Law, and others. CoiuntUd. August 7. 1867. im ? The South Carolina Pknitentiaiiy.? The Hoard of Commissioners of thu Penitenti ary?consisting of Messrs. Gregg, Robertson1 , .... i ; and Cameron?met m this city, recently, and1 proceeded to inspect that institution. The fol lowing is a summary of their report: There' arc now completed fifty cells, and the stone' cut for twenty more. The first convicts were* received on tho ISth April. At present, there/ are upwards of 100. There 1ms been one' death; one escape; one pardoned by the Gov ernor, and one. discharged. The cost .of sub sisting convicts is about twenty ccr/fs a day ; but the entire cost of keeping a convict cannot yet bo. ascertained. No convict who is now working is worth less than sixty cents per., day and his board, if ho was a hired laborer; thirty arc worth eighty cents per day and their board. All are kept at work, except when ex cused by the surgeon. Stone-cutting and ma sonry is the chief employment. Seventeen aro ? daily sent to the quarry?about one and a half miles distant. An amount of Clothing is on band, sufficient to last until the 1st .lanmirv. Each prisoner, on entering, is invested with 1 the convict costume, after boiug thoroughly cleansed and purified, and the Commissioners 1 sard no complaint made, during their convcr ions with the prisoners, concerning either eir treatment or their food ; mid it was found .mt nearly all of them were in a fair way to ??nru a remunerative trade. With lew excep tions, punishment has been found unnecessary. SillCO the month of April, fhc convicts Iu>YS - performed 2R*? ? S at sixty cents per day, i count