Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-12-06
Wade HamptOn'S Letter.
THE STATE ABOVE EVERYTHING-HIS sERvl-
CES rendered TO THE STATE.

Wade Hampton in leaving the country has ad-
dressed letter TO the people of South Carolina,
thanking them for the vote they gave him. The spir-
it of the letter indicates the kind of men deemed fit
for Governor by few score less than half the
votes of the State. In closing he says:
The bark which was launched few years ago,
amid such joyous reclamation, which was trelghted
with such precious hopes, and was waited on such
earnest prayers has suffered shpwreck. 1t behooves
U.s. as wise men, to build of its broken timbers,
best may, raft VIII erewith we may hope to reach q
haven of rest and safety.
It may be that when the forms of government are
restored, and freedom of speech are allowed to us
your late Convention will be subjected to harsh crit
icism and its action impugned. Should such, unhap
PLY be the case remember that you, the people of
South Carolina accepted this Convention part
and parcel ofthe terms Of your surrender. The Presi
dent had no shadow Of authority, l admit-under
the Constitution Of the United States-to order q
Convention in this or an other STATE; but as con-
queror he had the right to Offer if not dictate terms
The terms offered by him you have accepted, and
you are bound by every dictate of honor and man
illness to abide by them honestly and TO keep in good
faith the pledges you have given. do not myself
concur fully in all the measures adopted by the Con-
vention but shall cheerfully acquiesce in the &C
ton it took to carry out faithfully the terms agreed
on and willingly accord to it high praise for the
manner in which it discharged its arduous and IN
welcome labors. No similar body ever represented
more largely than it did the dignity, the learning
the virtue and the patriotism of the State, and am
sure that it actuated by pure and high motives.
Entertaining these views think that it is our duty
to sustain the action Of the Convention in recognz
ing the abolition of slavery, to support the Prcsi
dent of the United States SO long as he manfests
disposition to restore all our rights as sovereign
State and to give to our newly elected Governor a
cordial cooperation in his grave and responsible
duties. Above all, let US stand by our State-her
record is honorable, her escutcheon untarnished.-
Here is our country-the land of our nativity, tho
home of our affection. Here all our hopes should
centre here we have worshipped the God of our
fathers; here, among charred and blackened ruins
are the spots we fondly called our homes; and
hero We buried the ashes of our kindred. All these
sacred ties bind US to our State and they are ntcn
SIZED by her suffering and her desolation.
And, az child, when soaring sounds molcst,
Clngs closer and clossi to the mothers breast,
So the loud torrent and the whirlwinds roar
But bind rs to cur Setive land the more.
trust that you will pardon me for thus ventur-
ing TO counsel you. Believe me- that it is in pre-
feelings that do SO, but solely in an
honest sincere and humble hope of contributing my
mite TO the welfare and honor of our State. What
have said has been evoked by your recent mani
festations of kindness TO This shall cherish as
one of the proudest recollectons of my life for it
assures me of your belief that have tried to do my
duty. 1t only remains for me, in bidding you fare
well, to say, that whenever the State needs my SER
vices she has only to command and shall obey.
am very respectfully and gratefully, your fellow
citizen, WADE HAMPTON.