Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-08-16
A Letter from cen. HAMPTON.

10 lhe Eutor of he C0t0WOtG PfGnHir.-
Sir: Numerous Communications having been
addressed to me, proposing to form colony
| to eE,ig,atc, take this method of answering
them, not only on account Of their number,
but because Of the want of, all msil facilities
Yba do..;rs : nrIs been
reduced 10 such deplorable condition as
ours, aud whose future has so little of hope
is doubtless as widespread as It's natural
But 'oubt the proprieiy Of this eypatrialion
Of so many of our best men. The very TACT
that our State is passing through so terrible
an ordeal as tue present, should canse her
sons to cling the more closely to her. My ad
vice to all of ny'iellow citizens il, ina. they
should devote their whole energies 10 The re.
stoxtion Of law snd order, the rc-establisI.-
ulcnt OF agriculture and commerce, the pro-
motion Of education and the re building Of
our cities aud dwellings which have bsen laid
in ashes. To accomplish these oi:iects-the
highest that patriotism can couceive--1 re-
commend that all who can do so should lake
the oath of allegiance to the United States
Government, so that they may rsr;cipa,e
in the restoration cf Civil Government to OF;
State.
War, after four years Of heroic, but unsuc
cessful struggle, has failed to secure to US the
rights for which ne engaged init. To save
any of our rights-to rescne anything more
from thegcneral rnin-will require al the
craftsmanship aud all the patriotism of our
ci,izebs. l. lie hest men Of Uuc country
those who for years past haze risked their
lives in her delence.- rtlusc to take the oath,
they will be excluded from thecouncila of the
State, aad its destiny will be committed Of
necessity tc those who forso~k her in her
hour Of need, Or TO ttose whos would gladly
pill her doHn 10 i.reitieyaGle ruin. 70 guard
against such calamity, lei all true patriots
devote themselves, with zeal and honesty of
purpose, to the restoration of law, the bless.
ings Of peace and 10 the rescue Of whatever
of liberty may be saved from the general
wreck. II, after an honest effort to effect
these objects, we tail, we can. then seek home
in another country. -.
A distinguished citizen Of our State-an
honest man and true patrui-has been ap
pointed Governor. H.. will sooG call Con.
pcntiop Of the prcp,c, hich will be charged
With tbenlost vital ''.:sr.ss Of our State,
Choose for Ii. Cp.': - best and tru
eSL uiEli, EOb ~ NuihCu III tilC
hour u. danger- -LDr -. caNe worship
p.d Manmor, wbil. L..eI. d..tr} Was bleed
lug at every pore-nc" 'hh Politician, who,
after urging var, dared '...' 'I;aterits hard
sllips-but tuos "a : -, al upon the
altar of li,eir crut;rf 5 5anA men, and
make item serve as your :@laasentatiges. You
viii then be sure tnat your rights will not
be wentonlJ sacrificed, nor your liberty bar
.erad for q mess of pottage. My intention ia
Il pursue the course l recommend to others.
B;eides the obligations owe to. my State,
til: re. areothers of q personal character which
VII not permit me TO leave the country at
fpescnt. | shall devote myself earnestly, if
allowed to do So. to. the discharge OF these
obligations, public and private. In the mean
lime.I shall obtain all information which
woald be desirable intho establishment Of f.
colony, in case we should ultimately be forced
to leave the country. invoke my fellow
citizens-especially those who have shared
with me the perils and the slories Of the last !
four years-to stand By our State manrnlle. !
aad truly. The Roman Senate voted thanks
to one OF their generals, because, in the dark
sst hour of the Republic, he did not despair.
Let us emulate the example Of. the Roman,
and thus entitle onrselves,to the gratitude OF
1ur country. vi
Respectfully, yonrs.
WADE HAMPTON.