Abbeville press. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, September 06, 1867, Image 1
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^ ' " -? ~ =?= ~ ' ' *=~~ ? '=*. I !
BY W-. A. LEE AND HUGH WIL$6N. ABBEVILlf- c- FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1867. VOLUME. XY. NO. 10.
[correspondence.]
LETTER . OF GEN. HAMPTON.
Columbia, July 31, 1667.
General: The undersigned, in behalf of
many oiliers of your friends, as well as of
rlbflu*elv?fl, very respectfully crave your
advice with regard to their action in the
very important aaatters ?oon to be submitted
to the people -etf Ifae State. We have
no intention to oppose >tho -execution of any
law, even were it in oar power; but under
the .Reconstruction Act, certain latitude of
action is win 14 , vruicu em wis upon us entire
responsibility for all consequences
which may flow therefrom. We believe
(bis responsibility to be very grave,
aud tlwse consequences vital to every
class of our community, inseparably connected
as are the interests of all. Recent
events 6how that there is no longer a
possibility of that entire harmony of action
among our people, for which you and-we
' have heretofore hoped and striven. The
views of the whole community are unsettled
by the aspect of affairs, and the people
look to those who command their confidence
for a Course of action upon which
all may agree, who truly desire the prosperity
of the State.
Hesitating to intrude upon you in your
withdrawal from publio affair*, but believing
that your own appreciation of the
emergency will excusa our request; that
your well proven patriotism will irresistibly
plead it; and that jour calm and experienced
judgment will weigh supremely
with your friends, and command the deep
consideration of all honest men, we subacribo
ourselves, very respectfully, yours,
D. W. RAY, WM.
n. TALLEY,
B. PI THOMAS,
p. M. LAW,
And about sixty others.
Jo Gen. Wade .Hamptoo, Columbia.
'&ENTLEU&X-: I beg to gcfcnowledge the
' receipt of the letter, in winch .you do mo
the bouor to ask uiy " ad vice with regard
to your qctiqp in the .very important
inattqra jjoou to be submitted -to .the poodle,
of fhe .-State:" Though I caupot but
feelith.at mtny of those whose names are
signed to this.communication are far more
compotont to offer counsel on the grave .
topics now agitating the public mind than
:?njself, as I deem it to be the duty of evey
1 ll_J I * li J
iubii, wiien cnncu on uy un xeiluwciiLzenB,
'in time of peril, to contribpte/ill his power
*.o promote itie general welfare,.or to ward
off the common danger, I willingly comply
with your flattering request.
Recognizing, then, the daty imposed on
me by jour call, and impelled, also, by the
great wpect I feol for these who have thus
honored me, I shall state with perfect can?
dor the imminent dangers surrounding us,
nd point out with equal frankness the
-dnW courto which, in mv iudrrmni?t_ wn
can pursue with honor, or with any hope
of ultimate safety. Before prooeeding to
the discussion of the present condition of
rtffaire, it it proper to let you know what'
were the views entertxiued by myself immediately
after the cessation, of active hostilities;
and what was the course I thought
oar people should then follow. This carivnot
be done more concisely than by giving
ti> you a c?py of a letter addressed to
Jatbes O. Gibbet, Esq., chairman of a
< frtbtie meeting, which was held here in.
August, 1866. Not being in the city at
th?t time, I wrote . the following letter,
, which, yielding to the views of others, I
afterwards determined sot to publish :
August 20,1805.
To hit Honor James G. Oibtxt, Mayor of
Columbia.
Sib : Having beer absent wben the Ute
fpublio meeting vu aeld in the city, I take
?this method of exp*essi?g roj views on the
subject* disousted on that occasion. It is
- ?Ub some reluctance that I express these
, views, as I do not concur in tbe policy advocated
by tbe neeting. Is it desirable
*hat tbe people of tbe State should take'
anjf action lookbg to a restoration of oivil
' government at present f I think oof; and
(or these reiuon:
m . aA_a.^ *i1 a .? ?
a lio Dine iwuu?r raemoar oi we ??dejral
Union, a it is not. If ? member,
tben not onV is it a work of stipereroga.
dtat for ber o &sk admiuioo to the Union,
but sbe if by tbe Constitution of the
United j3tite?, guaranteed ? republieasj
form of government, end sbe bus tbe rigbt
1 to edminUer-ber government undersuob
in constituion end by such laws as sbe
. ebooaes. But if sbe is,e^tiie contrary,1
ha( a inmttAi a# >! < TTkuio !?? ;
regarded either as a Territory, or a* a oon;*qt?r?d
jrorinoe. In eitlrsr condition, the
ii. Uaitad fci&iee euibontiee ara ebarged with
* J<$ ' dulp of proin&isg a proper governJar
J?#rvand I tiuakjbe polioy of the
^fcate to-? remain paftslva nntilittdi gov#
^^cneot ia given to her, or it forced upon
\Aifc\" If e*inf6 fitfieettf bjr |ha meet*
r followed by .Aa Bute, what
VUIH lead loth#
eto^jw^tba UnUo af it esiated, and t&
' ?tbe fieyeeUAJiebmeot of the oonsUtntioti
?a<T ^y? .o< thk |tate^ 146 n6t tifiok
r .tbate*^ <trfUbe tfeea.e,v1fcre**%ihe
'' :?fk TVtJ UI4U?I^. Asy*>?*~
~~.var?,rfW jrj r-v ??
ftfeptaA by Ox
'fciftt1 " P'y to <*81
'SSS&tSS&jsasE
~ ,ri?; ,?* .2<"fc
t
^b^w^heT^nhepeoplo^^h^Slatl^^ur
impossibility. But passig ovor this grave
objection, tbjro remains le still graver one
38 to tbe adoption of a onstitution. Are
tbe people of tbe Stab willing, by the
adoption of a new and totlly different constitution,
to ignore all theleacbings of the
past, to subvert the wboleorder of society,
to change, in a moment, it whole organization,
and, in a word, tp commit (if tbe
expression may be used) plitical'suioide ?
Yet this is the inevitable - todency of tbe
course recommended by themeeting. No
nn? fnr A mnm?nt minnnqnullmt Ihn Rtn'o
will be admitted into the Tnion with its
present constitution. To gin admission,
the State must come with t constitution
representing, not t!*6 views ad interests of
the people of South Carolina but those of
Massachusetts. It may be iiljed thai the
State must come with such nuonatitutioc,
or not come at all. If suohis the fact,
then let her not come at all. The United
States Government will hold, he country,
as it now does, by military occupation ; its
troops will be present to inaugurate and
enforce the new system of laboidecreed by
the President of tbe United Staios, and the
people, though conq?qredT.yi!l not have
the additional humiliation and reproach
which they would bring upon themselves,
if they consent to destroy their ovn constitution,
which was bequeathed to them
by their fatiiers.
Besides these various reasons against
the policy advocated by the meeting, it
appears to me that it is premature for the
people to move at present. The authorities
at Washington have not indicated t\ie
course they propose to pursue towards the
State, nor have they manifested great zea\
in the restoration of that Union for which
they have professedly been fighting for th?
last four vears. Thev have not asked the
State to. return to the Union, nor Lave
they Announced the terms upon which it
can do so. When they have don* these
thing?, it will be time enough for the State
to take counsel how to act.
I recommend, then, with all deference
to yourself and the gentlemen over whom
you presided the other day, that the people
should remain perfectly quiet, taking
no. action whaterer in public affairs.
Leave all these matters to the United
Elates Aroveroroeotj wtiicli will, doubtless,
io good time, .provide k government for
you. ;Untfl tbpt is done, the cartridge-box
can take the .place of the ballot-box, and
the bayonet is a good substitute .for the
law. It is better to .be governed by these
than-to give to your State a constitution
which misrepresents the wishes of tfie.pt*o
pie, humiliates their pride, debauches theii
society, destroys their prosperity, and degrades
their State.
I have the hpnor to be, yer^' respectfully,
your friend and fellow-citizen,
WADE HAMPTONIt
was clear to my mind that the true
policy of the South was to remain passive
observing, with the most scrupulous fidelity,
the obligations we' assumed when w<
laid down our arras, and making no concessions
beyond those embraced in *tU<
Verms upon which we surrendered. -I held
that the United Stales Government hac
not only offered terms to the South, bul
that its faith was pledged to the observance
of those terms. Every official act-of ever]
department of that Government, durin?.tli<
war, declared that the Southern State)
were still members of theUnjon, and Con'
gress, by an almost unanimovs vote, in tbi
most solemn manner,
u Resolved, That this war is not waged
on our part, in any spirit of oppression, noi
for any purpose of conquest or subjugation
t*. ?.1 :
nvi |/ui^vq? vi vivituivmu^ vi luwriiring
with tbe rights or established institution!
of tbe State*, but to defend and maintain
supremacy of the.Constitution, and to
preserve tbe Union with all the dignilw
equality and rights of tfie several St^es
unimpaired. That as win as thefM rejects
are.accomplished, the Aar - opgtft to cease."
The slime body gJrp the strongest evidence
that tbey redfrded the Union unbrpken,
even daringthe war, by tbeir recogmiI
(An nf \fv P n .1 '.jL fia fiana f r\ v f.A?M ' VI*
.UIIIVU vi MI* vmivf VVHUKVI iiyiu T i|?
ginia?I mean U#npble "Old Dominion,"
and not her illegitimate and degenerate
child, West wginia~and allowing bim
to retain hit |Mt nntU near the close of;4he
?rar. Tie'v'erypa roles given to th a Sooth
arn soldiers promised (be protection ol
the United ^tates Government to thou
holding them, W long as they obeyed th<
iafrs of u States wherein thsy resided
thus reoognixittg, oot only the Soother!
States at Statu, bnt the lam of thosi
States. We bad atery reason, aa for a
we oould trait to the faiih of our.bppe-peoto,
to believe tb*t the Southern.State
would be received ihto the< Union with a1
Iheir "dignity, equality and rights unim
' Mwed.Wiejr *1
legiaqoeto the General Gov?mrrie6t, an
acknowledged iu ouprom&oy.
It wtmld be tbrffan to the ^urpote <
this ooaMnfeatatfe* todbcum wJjot fail
haebeeu kept with the South?wahltit
hs? alroady affixed:to that ??it of faith tl
oftatofPa?k*; I ootyUmah an the
to commitlod t
UM .Bomh, wb*a it coafonxMd.to Um>m d
' fa"*v
1 t** jDooaHIm^.mm *** *
Ssegm^
O.: ?! f! ,.T..5: .? -||r
A
stiutions ; greater limn all others, was the
le^iblation ratifying the amendment of the
United Stales Constitution known as Article
13. I am well aware that the action
of the Southern people, at that time, was
K?T on lirtunof !??
I ivtuvvvt vj mi uuuvov uvon O IV OVJ^UI? VIIU
I blessings of peaoe, and a high sense of
bonor, which prompted them to show thnt
ihey were sincere in their wish to do
everything thnt would tend to the restoration
of (he Union on honorable terms.
I have no hesitation in asserting that the
Southern States would then baro been
brought back to the Union with more of
'loyalty"?to use a favorite expression of
the North?than had existed amongst them
for forty years past, had the North proved
itself to be as magnanimous as it had
shown itself to be powerful. But it was
the misfortune, not only of the South, but |
of the whole country, that the party
which obtained possession of the Government
was more intent on securing its own;
power than of restoring the Union to it*
pristine glory. After acquiring power, oft
the Bole ground of bringiajf back ttt3!
Southern States to the coPnon fold, wit'6,
all their "dignity, equality and rights U|?0F
impared," they basely, betrayed the pcoj'^'
of the North, by subordinating the inteijpPu
and rights of ten States to the efforfT01,
perpetuate the power of their parly, fi^ho*
Tying, while they did so, every pRl'oni
which they had made during the coqti men
ance of the wnr. The war, wllic|i
professedly waged solely for the resl6f time
of the Union, in.its progress, degen'
into the open attempt, on the pai$'8 by t
authors, to consolidate, and perpeltiir gen*
ical rule, and a Government, wjf*8 gres
founded on the noblo maxim, tliaf'T~ and
ernments derive their just power?"l^e *
' consent of the governed," has f>er~ wbi
1 erted to the base ends of subi^ con
i millions of its people to a militw'P01- are
ism. will
1 That I may not bo accusedf'^'0?
1 this proposition iu stronger Jap0 *'in" U8e
is warrnuted by the facts of ll^? * ^eg P?"
1 to call your attention to the f'"8 6X~ nal
tract from an arliclo which erC(* ^rom " ]
Massachusetts. Bearing the f,na^ur ? <]e,
> Boston, its language, whic$ oeen we
uttered here, might have srib^ *rcR" pn,
son, cau bo regarded only/1:11' fati
"The principle," says $w"ter?<<on the
which the war was wagqjr l^e North, wj(
was simply this: That mj8? rightfully
' be compelled to submit#1^ support a
1 Government that Ihev doirAn?'nn(^fol
1 resistance on their part*69 l^em lra'~ tQ
1 tora and criminals, jjpnciple. that is W(
possible to be named roorft self-ev- jfl
iilently false than thjf mure Den-on- |
dently fatal to all p^1 freedom. Yet of
it triumphed in the ?a"d it is now as- wj
Burned to he eatabtf- ^ il bo real- m
ly e?Uh|iahed, thj|umb??' of slaves, 8R
instead of having)**11 diminished by vc
! the war, has bee4atly increased; for
' a mpn thus sulJ& .to& Government ^
that he does nqVnt? 18 8 *I?Te 5 ?nd jn
' there is no differ*11' principle, but only
in degree, betfr political and chattel rt'
5 rlavery. Tlie fj^p? DO i?88 than the lat- a
' ter, denies a m^'Wrab'P of himself and Vl
' the products o? labor, and asserts that ^
" other men m?wn him and depose of
i him and hi* #>erty for their uses and at ^
r their pleasur?'l>rev'oa8 to the war, there 0
5 were some j">nds for saying, that in t
1 theory, at ^ not practice, our Gov- t
eru merit w? ojie?tliat it rested on (
3 consent. ^ nothing of that kind can be {
fcaid now,.<?be principle on wbiob tbe war .
waa carrion Uy tbe North ia irrevocably |
r siablisl*" * . ,
' ttere^ are told in emphatic language, <
I by a Nfbern man whose mind cannot be <
obs<v?r/certainly by tEe so-called heresies
^ r'S*>i|iern doctrines, what was the principle
which the war waa waged.by the
NorthViid wo warned?God grant that
the waging may not 'be in v'ain-^-what
wiH be Ve result if.4bis principle is \tx&voeably
^tablished. Let.it be established
and we bV adieu to constitutional liberty
?republic^ institutions will be swept
away In the Itorijj tfiat will arise,, and we
shell enter Vn those-' <Jatk and gloomy
scenes whic^ always precede t nation's
death. Tbe time will tlfeu indeed have
| come for us tapmy, in'tbe words of a fearHese
and elequqnt son of <3iorgia, for tbe
f speedy advent of " tbe American C?sar.H
( The whol^ resent legation . of. tbe:frac-'
} tionai dongress at Washington stems to
, have only in- view to. break down all tbe
j barrier* of the OoottUntton of the United
States; to ignore the JmatfrtM Itiitfrtof
of the peat ri^Uion of '76; fed to
flnMmmAM L.J u !l> itnla
_ "" m.JIUtMl UH||H IM ?1>^
8 feendalion, "the eonifetof the governed,*
.. into one sustained fo*? Wp,^
of the radical* pretsnd lbs* the miltUrj
~ bills areqcnstittitlonal. Thayitfmit?-per
^ haps I should say, rather, they trust?thai
these measures are unconstitutional, / wbifa
^ they endeavor to "make the South ratiftj
^ th(?^ by arousing and appeal irig to thj
A belli?t passions pf hudiaanaUire, ftar aw
|e oupicHly. TKay threaten ns with ionfiso
w tian, on the one hand, if, we do not accep
|v thee* measures; they g*re them ?he sem
' bl&ac* of Kir; wbfie otf tu? otnerjoey n
tetapt to brib* tboM ntongtlrto wjio M
_ ' MhbMt tod T*nml M to b? willing to poi
r- cheirUndbei^ 8yt4be??d*e? bjwllhi
' flw lib?KU? of tititfr oaaMty.^" . '
--- ' / , .;*/>*
. * I * .
, =i
i .ir* l^e virtue of tbo Southern
^'at PeoP'e' w'10 hftve
peop* ^ cnpR^|e Qf ma|ji0g any
. for the sako of iheir pruiand
nil $t , , 1
. . low ns to buy the niero
. a?even if they live slaves?
. t . ? all that they have heretofore
ill-. all that makes life itself
held ti . ,
wortlf1 ^ ?How their
influenced by threats? Threats
acliod , J .
can*'r?OVern "rave ,nen' Are they
aj.rjjjconfiscation by Congress? If
il Jt' l^e8e Reconstruction Acts, they
assuredly suffer confiscation in its
i id most tyrannical form, through
^Jvinatructed" States. It is for ihom
^raine these momentous questions
| ^selves. They bave already carried
^ion to the verge of folly. Hear
^nother Northern writer says on this
V
j'he programme of the ruling party
ot be altered or changed by conona.
That has been tried in the South,
the demands of Congress have been
plied with by the States lately in revolt.
1 have altered their constitution,
>ted the amendment abolishing slaveiy,
jded to the condition of the freedmen,
dialed tlio debt contracted by them
war purposes, and in this manner
red their anxiety to resume conRtilu-i
i-?: :.i. ?i.?
ni icmiivno vstilii niu i cuyni mvtviiit.
But each concession lias been rnel
i n freab demand, until, at the present
>, ten States Imve been turned into
tary d. visions, ten Governors, cl.oner
be people, superseded by five brigadier
arals, and the .will of a minority in Cona
placed over.and above the powe
authority of the Constitution. * 1
* In order to carry out this 6cheine
cb was concocted by the..revolutionar
imittee of Coneross. the Southern State
made subject to a military tyranny
[tout limitation or responsibility, or otlie
cks or instructions, than that it thai
its powers literally to carry out tli
itioal purposes of the ruling party in tb
ion."
rlas this policy of concession to unlawfi
nands been so productive of benefit tin
still deBire to pursue it? Are we pre
ed, for the sake of expediency?tbi
\\ fallacy which has lured us so far c
i road to destruction?that Trojan Hon
ich has brought with it an Iliad of woi
to barter away the few rights remainir
us? Yet-this is tlie course we mu
l^w, if we accept terms which we kno
be contrary to the conditions on whji
> surrendered, which are inimical .to t
le reconciliations, and which are in op
d palpable violation of the Constitute
- - ? rI. . _ r .1 * n
the u uueu aiaies?-01 miti i^ousiuuu
iiich we swear to support, at the vc
oment we are grossly outraging its m<
cred provisions ! Would not those w
>te for these laws, knowing them to
loqnstilution&l, be guilty of perjur
That good can come of Jaws which bc{
i fraud and can be carried into effect 01
y perjury ? Let me not be understood
taking any .reflections on those South
ten who honestly j>nd conscientiously i
ocate our acceptance of these milit
ills. Any divisions amongst us are to
eprecated, and-it is as unwise as it is i
:ind to impugn the actives of men w
- - ? ?? * .j ,i.
n many a ueiu, uhyb pruvcvi u?
ion to the Soutb. Especially do I rej
be virulent Attacks which have been iri
>n that gallant soldier who so long an<
ibly led the"illustrious First Corps of
\rmy of Northern Virginia. It has t
lis bard fate, in pe^ce as in war, l<
wounded by his own people. That ch
ly which " hopeth all things," and a nat
distrust of our own judgment, shouldn
us treat the conviotiom of sueh men
at least kindly and proper Consider
But for those M who. see the right, ant
the' wrong pursue," who, while their c<
try seems io be struggling in the thro
death, consult only their own btte
and low instinct*?who, to safe tbefr
property or atill more vile persons, w
degrade their* State? who bid us a
dishonor as the price of safety?lang
hju do term# strong enough to brand
infamy. They are as far beyond the j
of adequate punishment in this - .wo
they ' are* beneath the stforn and con!
of all honorable men.
Bat to return to ihe consideration
>Reconstruction Acts, from -which thi
grfettion hasled-me. What induce
dj> the advocates -of these measure?
out to U< to accept litem t Can they
. 'tse ns pencot Look *t Tennessee
learn what kind of peace we are to
f Can tbey~proinjse us an-acceptable
. ebflititutid??'one that will not be
- * ' ~ ? -a - J ^
i feted Willi by Congress i uook mi
wiire, "MArylmid and Kentucky'
*joy?l* eoifereign Statfce?which arc
fat oA tfial Wore * Star Chamber
' mUfceV?? theohafge of not havin
pttbflotB eMilhntii?k Can they f
i a restoration of the Union ? The
rolei* eapreeety declare that* their m
* art Can they p
even that doubtful good, repreeeoU
~ theCoogrew of theUnitedStltee!
~ for yon to Ken tacky, whoee repreee
i ar? iroorainiously' rejected, he?aaa
tatUMr Mlte;
rf|-. "7nr?i ' r,-<- ,. ~- vw
* tgfe_ .V . ' 5 ? ..; ? ;.
* * V* . * - \
tnanent and total exclusion from hercoun- I
ciU of tho intellect, the experience, the!
wisdom and the patriotism, which, in times
past, gave her lustre ; that, instead of these
noble qualities and virtues, she commits
hor political dostinics to the guidance of
ignorance, inexperience, folly and radicalism
; that she adopts a constitution disfranchising
forever the men who, in obeying
her command to defend her, believed that
? n..A . <i.nt -l..,
noiu oci viii^ v?vu j innu ouo
*' Buys?ignominious purchase?short reposs,
With dying curies and the groans of tlioa*
Tliut served and loved, and put in liar their
trust."
Suppose alio does all these things and that
the radicals then graciously permit her to
eend her representatives to Washington,
from what class will she select the men
who are to fill the places Once honored by
Lowndes, Calhoun, McDuffie, Preston,
ChevcB, Hayne, Iluger, and their glorious
compeers ? '1 ho same body which has
SIIOW11 aucil WIKUUIU HIIU IIIHgllUllllllliy III
framing these Reconstruction Acta that
are to brine; so many blessings in their
train, gives you the answer in the following
Act of Congress :
" 1. Hereafter any person elected or ap
pointed to any office of power or profit
under the Government of tho United States,
either in the civil, military or naval departments
of oublic service, excepting
the President ot ilie United States, shall,
' before entering upon the duties of sncb office,
nod before being entitled to any of
' the salary or other emoluments thereof,
' take and subscribe the following oath : 1
do solemnly swear, that I hare never voluntarily
borne arms agaiust the Uuited
r States since I have been a citizen thereof:
k
that I have voluntarily given no aid, coun
tenance, counsel or encouragement to perV
sons engaged iu armed hostility thereto
8 that I have neither sought, nor acceptet
? nor attempted to exercise, the functions o
r any office whatever, under an* nutborit;
II "
" or pretended authority in hostility to thi
e United States; that I have not yielded ;
? voluntary support to any pretended Government,
authority, power or constitutioi
)] within tlie United States, hostile or inimi
it cal thereto. And I do further swear, tlm
- to the best of my knowledge and ability,
it will support nnd defend the Constitution <
in the United States agftinst.all enemies, for
ie eign nnd domestic; that I will bear trr
es faith and allegiauce to the same; that
ig take this obligation freely, without an
st mental reservation or purpose of evasion
>w and that ! will well anil faithfully discharj
Ltli the duties of the office on which I a
ill about to enter?so help -me God I Ai
en any person who shall falsely take the 6*
on onth shall be guiliy of perjury, and <
on conviction, in addition to the penahi
try now prescribed for that offence, shall
>st deprived of bis office, snd rendered incaj
bo ble of ever after holding any office orph
le Under the United Stales."
y 1 .Is representation in Congress so v<
desirable, that wo should send men tin
?ly who e*n take that oath, rather than tl
?9 we should remain unrepresented long*
Brn Can the people of the State trust th
>d- who could or who would take it ? 1
nry the honor of our Stale, I should pr<
b? that site should not be roproeonted in
1D~ halls of Cdngress until her delegates <
ho, enter them aa freemen, representing a b.
ereign Slate, with all her "dignity, *qua
gret -and rights unimpaired." When that
iade comes, there may be a restoration of
J 80 Union in fact, as well as in theory ; w
the North and South, forgiving the past, ?
>??n if they cannot forget may m?et
y be equals on some common grounds, wl
ari- tie honor, the righ's and; the feeling
:ural both can be recognized and respected.
lAKe un{il that day does come, in tue wora
with Patrick H?nry> "Geutlemen may cry j*
tion. peaeeJ but there is no peace P
' y?' tt it scarcely. necessary for irte to
5Jn~ that, entertaining the views I have exp
83 ed, I think It-far preferable the. ?
fears a(jOU|^ remain in its present condi
under military hile, than that. it _ah
rould gpVQ fts sanction to measures wlilol
believe to be illegal, unconstitutional
;nage fQiuouj. __ ';? .roj honest .and firm b
their t,l]a voluntary acceptance of J
reach meAtare> by our people u oil Id sorely I
r'^ 118 not only to the South, but to tlie i
LemJ)t country*, evils far greater than any we
yet suffered. The North, flushed witl
ot.tbe cm, and drunk wklt,power, may n
is Ji- able to realise thir&ol { but fta surely i
ment* South folic a victim to irre?ponstbl<
i hold unlicensed power, a6 tbrely will the ]
prom* lo?e its liberties. Ruin to the Soutl
i, Mid react on tho Nqrih, nnd if we -ere or
bite, ibto the. dust, the. Northern peopU. w
State but .the foreshadowing of their owo c
inter- doom. Recognise, a* ad .established
Dele- cipler the right of ni\y political, part}
?three *Vi*y be In the afcc4nd*tio^ to fix op
> to be who differ wiU?4b.enk-l?ws urtautbori:
.com- the Conaiitutiou of tbe United State
g Re- we shall, beginlhat downward career
iromiee will lead m eteadily tbrougb *eonfus>
radical afchy ' and bloody io the ottUiu ove
easures of republish ineiitatioo*and free g
tOtaii-B, meDt. Believing 1%' f regard H
btioo In. duty of erery man, in tip exs raise
t re- right aocofded to all by tLee# ?nilitai
MtaihtM to tMoooaa. tbeh adoption bj all
nbtlt mMM.' - ?*-iWj>*opl? -fetartft ?1
ha Villi* | Uioo, of mp?rfny a\iV*r umt ot
>|;th? oothto 4ta?,?a
n&r , /,V.S^<
; t
*' MR * . * ' - w
<*-JLS*? ; . * ? v ' T
as possible. Let every man register, and
cast his vote ogainbt the convention, since
the question will be made on that Usuo.
These, gentlemen, are the conclusions to
which I have been brought by the most
anxious consideration of tlioso " important
matters soou to be submitted to the pooplo
of the State." They hare been laid before
you at greater length than I intended, but
it seemed to me best to let you hnvo my
premise:*, aa well as my conclusions, in order
that you might judge of the correctness
of both. I can only any that I have
discussed this momentous question with
the single desire to arrive at the truth, and
I hope that it has at least been discussed
in a temperate and dispassionate spirit.
Let me bring ona other subject, suggested
by your letter, to your consideration, and
I shall tax your patience no farther.
You say, truly, that I, as well as yourselves,
" have hoped and striven' for entire
harmony of action among our people." It
has been my moBt earnest desire to secHre
this harmony, as it has been my constant
effort to allay excitement, aud to counsel
obedience to the laws. This has been tlx
prevailing sentiment among our people
and if it fails of its object, it will not b<
our fault.
As it is of llie last consequence to main
lain the same amicable relations wbicl
Imvo heretofore existed between the white
and the blaok?, I cannot too strongly reit;
erate my counsel, that all classes &houl<
cultivate harmony and exercise forbear
! ance. Let our people remember that th
negroes have, as a general rule, behave
I admirably, and that they are in no mann?
responsible for the present condition of af
fairs. Should they, in the future, be mitle
by wicked or designing men,- let ua con
sider how ignorant tbey necessarily ar
j and let us, only the more, try to convinc
j them that wo nro their beat friends. Dei
with them with pcrfect justice, and tin
show that you wish to promote their ad
vAncement and enlightenment. Do tlii
and the uegroes will not only learn to tru
t you, but they will soon appreciate the fa
so evident to us, that we can do witho
t them far better than thty can do witho
j us.
f On a late public occasion, where rnai
of you were present, I expressed ?uy pe
[e feet willingness to see impartial suffra
j established at the South, and I believe tl
v this opinion is entertained, not only by
large majority of the intelligent a"tod r
fleeting whites, but also of the game ch
m among the blncks. I deprecate, univer
1(j suffrage, not only on general principles, 1
#l especially in the case before us, becaus*
3n deny the tight of Congress to prescribe
ies ru'e3 citizenship in the States. *3
ke Supreme Court 1ms decided that a negr
not a citizen of the United States, i
tce Congress cannot reverse that decision
an Act. The States, however, are coin
tent to confer citizenship on the negro,:
I think it ia the part of wisdom that 8
I action should be taken by the Soult
^ ^ States. W? have recognized the freec
of the blacks, and bave placed this
r ^ beyond all probability of doubt, denin
' recall. Let as recognize in the same fi
^ ^ maimer, and as fully, their political ri
also. For myself, I confess that I am j
-nn e _*.i _ _i?n. i_ ...
lecuy W1I1IU|? III SCO H UUUSUIUIIVII nuu
?.* by our State, conforring the elective f
1 " chise on tho negro, on precisely the a
, terms as it is to be exercised by the v
the
k man, guarding against the abuse of
privilege by establishing a slight ed
Te? tional and property qualification fo\
J *8 classes.
Iiere I have thus, gentlemen, endeavor*
8 comply, as fully as possible, with the
quest oonyeyed in your letter. A i
8 of duty to the State, and an eminent <
lce to show my respect to my fellow-cit'
from whom I have received io many n
any Qf kindness and confidence, are the
rets- motives which could have induced r
hate take any part in public affairs. If the i
tion, views thrown out for your Consider
ould nre instrumental in arousing any one
) we sense ,of the dangers syrroundiog ua,
?nd_ they can be of the slightest benefit to
e'ief* who have called for them, they frill
beee Accomplished their end*. . Tbanklnj
l?ng? again for the honor you bave done
?bp!e. naking counsel of me, and praying tb
bftre efforta to save our beloved 8ta$e frou
i>uc- niny be successful, I am, with great r
ot be and est^ro, your friendaod fsllow-c
19 the v? . WADE K/MrTi
Columbia, Auguik i, 1867.
To D. W. iUy, W.?. TV
. ' F. Thomas Ei U, taw, and qUieri.
untied
ill see ? ' ** *" '
attain Gibw.?Tbere are -two kin
prin- girls. Otffe ia. $he kind that aj
f that beat Abroad, tbe girls that ere
*w n?rtllw. rides, visits, balls, &A
VII KI. r -J , , ,,
Mxlby whose chief delight is in aaoh 1
b, ?nd The other U tbe kind " that a
which beat at home, the ?irls that are
mi, a^t* aud ehperfol fa the dining root
rihrow tooffl, and all the preeinota of
ofelra^' Tbey differ widely in character
aa the ia^flett a torment at home, th<
of th? ft btoselng. One is a moth, o<
ijrWIta.
lawful ia a aonbeam, inspiring tight an
<lU - * u?
ivilege, I neea ?u ?roun?
di^t itpNiMMil .pi#,
wed* little, tu>4 ?? auiu tto good
3l?Ba\y ties of both io one.
; ; '
A
A GRAND OLD POEM.
Who shall judgo a man from manners f
Who shall know him by his drcsst
Paupers may be fit for princes?
Princes fib for nothing less.
Crumpled shirt and dirty jaoket
May beelotlio the golden ore
Of the deepest thought and feeling?
Satin vests could do no more.
There are springs of crystal nectar
Ever welling out of Btono ;
Thero are purple buds, and goldtn,
Hidden, crushed, and overgrown.
Qod, who oouuts by souls, not dresses.
Loves and prospers you and me,
WKIIa Via valiiAB (ItrnncQ ilia liirrttA*!
But as pebbles in the sea.
Man, upraised above his fellow*,
Oft forgets his fellows then ;
Masters, rulers, lords, remember
That jour meanest hinds are menMen
by labor, men by feeling,
Men by thought, and men by fame?
! Claiming equal right3 to sunshine
In a man's ennobling name.
1 There are foam-embroidered ocean*,
There sre little weed clad rill*;
| There are feeble, inch high saplings,
? There are cedar* on the hills.
God, who ocnnta by souls, not stations,
' Lores and prospers you and rat, A
3 For to him all vain distinctions
Are as pebbles in the sea.
Toiling bands alone are builders *
1 Ot a nation's wealth or fame;
9 Titled laziness is pensioned
Fed and fattened on the same ;
J By the sweat of other's foreheads,
Living only to rejoice,
While the poor man's outraged freedom
0 Vainly lifted up his voice.
<1
sr Truth and justioe are eternal?
Born with lorelinecs and light;
, Secret wrongs will never prosper,
While there is a sunny right;
~ God, whose world-heard voice is singing
8> Boundless love to yoa and
!Q oil] KB uppreNiuu wuu ua
al Am the pebbles In the sea.
18 THE UCPOBTAKCE OF A GOOD EDUCATION.
I- I consider a human soul, without
b. education, liko marble in the quarry:
at which show none of its inherent beautict
es until the skill of tho polisher fetches
ut out the colours, makes tho surface shino
ut and discovors every ornamental cloud
spot, and vein, that runs through the
ny body of it. Education after the samo
r- manner, when it works upon a noble
ge mind draws out to view every latent
iAt virtue and perfection, which,
a withont such helps, are nearly able to
e- make their appearance.
m If my reader will givo mo leave to
sal change the allusion so soon upon him,
jut I shall make use of the samo instanoe
3 I to illustrate the force of education,
the which Aristotle has brought to explain
Che bis doctrine of substantial forms, when
o is he tell us that a statuo lies hid in a
*nd block of marble; and that tbe art of tho
by statuary only oloars away tho superpe
fluous matter, and removes tho raband
bish. The figure is in the stone, and
uch the scalptor only finds it. What
ern sculpture is to a block of a marble,
lom education |s to a human soul. Tho
fact philosopher, the saint, or the hero
lor the wiBe tho good, or the great man,
ank very often lies hid and concealed in a
gbts plebeian, which a proper education
per- might have disinterred, and have
pted brought to light. I am therefore much
ran- delighted with reading tbe accounts
mmo of Bavage nations} and with contemplate
plating those vittues whioharo wild
ibis and uncultivated : to see courage#x
uca- erting itself in fleroenoss, resolution
r all ia obstinacy, wisdom in canning, paticnoe
in sullennecd and despair.
d to It is an unspeakable blessing, to be
1 re- born in those parts of the world where
sen** wisdom and knowledge flourish,
lesire Those who have bad the advantages
Jwn% of a roore liberal education, rise above
mrks one another by several different deonly
grees of perfection. For, to return
ne to ta our statue in the block of marble,
crude we see it sometimes only begun to be
atido, ohipped, sometimes rough hewn, and
> to a but just sketched Into a human figure;
i or if sometimes we see the man appearing,
those distin ctly in alt his limbs and features,
have sometimes we find the figure wrought
K 7?a% up to. great elegancy; but seldom
me in meet with any to "whioh the band of a
at our phidiaa or a Praxiteles could not give
i rain several nice toncheeand finishings.?
wpecfr JddUoru
SMien,
DN. Lm Pabcmxid Oo?.?.Lord Coke
- wrote the following, which bo religlley,
J. iowly observed
''Six hours to sleep,
To Uw'i great study six,
' Four imdJ la Dnfil*. '
ds of -> Th? rut to o alar* fix/! * 'l
jpenrs Bat ^ViUtota Jones, a. wiser eoonomist
of tbe fleeting hours of life, Amended
3., and the atniimentthoi:?
ftings. . - iu>am to taw, ~ ^ i
ppearff ?o aaotbfag ehwb?r acres, ;.*
iWU Tm to the world allots *
O, fetok And all tobMTMu" home,
M?. * 1 '
. On a Hich A*D PooR~<'Wh? I Had
. -JJ nothing of my own? sftysfents ?l frit
t> other tbe tree*of tbe fbresfe* the jr&as
>?enm? of the meadows, the evami tee?KT
i u$lher -?ll the Bta? were mitte, bti% ttnof 1
4 gl^f. purehwed thtefetd bouse abd g?|mHi l
1 Tbe Uya BOkmgtry^th'pg eteo. tat ?
both ? ^oma
i qaali. The <fer th*t he*r*tfc
. life Abldetfcttiong vrf
* T'. -f -1'^ 1 1 1 w"^vl
" W*.; . - .^.'*
gt^'f T*8- . fc. "
m : X1 ' V