Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-08
WADE HAMPTON's LETTER TO THE PE0.
PLEOF SOUTH CAROLINA. o-s-s,

!
PILE OF SOUTH CAROLINA. uss-,ss
Expecting TO leave tbe State IN few days for
an uncertain period, Icannot do so without ex-
pressing to nfy feow-ctizens my profound sense Of
the honor paid to me by the vote given tome inthe
recent election for Governor. In returning my
thanks to them for the late spontaneous and extra
ordinary manifestation Of their kindness. II Is due
to them that ] should state the ieasons which in-
duced me to decline to be candidate. In the FIRST
place the Convcnuon, which gave the election of
Cove. nor TO the people, had, with singular unani-
lmty-though not In their public Chpacty-Gre-
quested the distinguished gentleman who hns been
elected to become a candidate for the Office This
he consented to do, though, doubtless, at great
personal Inconvenience and heavy sacrifice of his
private interests. Under these circumstances, /
was unwilling to do any thing that might cause a
political contest in the State though. that no
good could arise at home from such contest whilst
IL might do us infinite mischief abroad The Pres
dent of the United States had exhibited not only
n strong disposition TO protect the South from the
radicasm OF the North but to reinsate Us in opr
civil and political rights. feared that my election
by embarrassing hm~n his labors aud policy
ightinridentely do harm to the State. Superadded
to these considerations of public cboracter deter
ring me from appearing as candidate, there were
Others Of private nature no less strong. Ny nj.
fairs neglected for FIVE years impemtiyely demand
ed my personal attention, Had believed that my
election as Governor could really benefit the State
or suhserve any Of her true interests, no sacrifice
OF private nature, however great wopld have
deferred me from accepting that or any other posi-
ton TO which she might have called me; but re-
garding my nomination only as a compliment from
some of my former comrades, felt at liberty to
decline though detpy sensible of the honor paid
to Inc by the nomination. and the manner in which
il was received throughout the State. These rea-
sons, which hope you win understand and sppre-
CUTE, impelled me to withdraw my name Having
given the reasons for the course pursued aud ex-
pressed my thanks for your generous confidence in
me, 1 should, perhaps, close. But the evidence
yon have given of your kindness TO an3 cpn6desce
in me-evidence unexpected as il is gratifying
authorizes me, trust without presumption, 10 add
n few words Of counsel. .y1''tH
For years it has been the boast of our State that
there was but one party within her limits Com
Eiendable and vital that state of affairs was du-
ing the war, it is scarcely If at ALL less so now.
Every associqtion Of the past, every duty Of the
present, every hope of the future bids us still 10
stand shoulder to shoulder The work before
us demands all the patriotism, all the courage all
the endurance OF our whole people. Let no party
strife, no minor issues no party politics divert US
from the great and pressing work of the hour.
that OF reinsatng, as far possible our PROSTATE
and bleeding State, and rehabitating her, speed
lily as may be, with the FORMS the rights, and the
sanctity of government and of iaw.cI u 79s lon
That bark which was launched few years ago
amid such joyous acclamations, which was ffeghted
with such precious hopes, and which was waited
on by such earnest prayers, has suffered shipwreck.
ltbehoores US, as wise men, to build of its broken
timbeTs as best we may, raft, whenever we may
hope to reach haven Of rest and safety. ,
| II may be that when the forms of government
are restored, AMI freedom Of speech allowed tous,
your late Convention will be subjected to harsh
criticism and its action impugned. Should such,
unhappily, be the case, remember that you, the
people of South Carolina, accepted this convention
as part and parcel of the terms of your surrender.
The President had shadow of authority, ad-
nit, under the Co2stituon of the United States, 10
order convention of this or any other State but,
as conqueror, Ne had the right to Offer if not to
dictate terms. fhe terms offered by him you have
accepted, aud you are bjuud, by every dictate Of
honor and of maalinefs. TO abide by them honestly,
and TO keep, in good faith, the pledges you have
giveh.7 | do not, myself, concur fully in al the
measures adopted by the Convention bat I shall
cheerfuy acquiesee in the action it took to carry
out faithfully the terms agreed on and I willingly
accord 10 IL high praise for the manner in which 1t
discharged its ardHons and unweeome labbrs No
similar body ever represented more largely than II
did tue dignity, the learning, the Write and the
pltriotism of the State, and ! am sure it was ac-
tuaed by pure and high motives.
! Entertaining these views, think that it Is our
duty TO sustain the action OF the convention in re-
cDgLizing the abolition of slavery, 10 support the
President of the United States SO long as he mani.
ftsts disposition to restore all our rights as SOW
ereign State and TO give to our newly elected Gov
ernor cordial co operation in his grave and res
plnsible duties. Above all, let US stand byqour
Slae-her record is honorable, her escutchcon up,
furnished. Here is our Countrywide land Of our
nativity, the home Of our affection. Here all our
hopes should center; here, amid charred and
ba kened rnnS are the spots we once fond,y
ed our homes and here we buried the ashes Of
our kindred All these sacred ties bind u 10 our
State, and they intensified oy her suffering and
her desolation. al 40 r.. 1rHo31
AGd ms a child, Y hen soaring sounds molest,
Clngs close and closer to the mothers breast,
| So the loud torrent and the whirlwinds roar
But bind US to our native land the more"
trust that you will pardon me for thus ventur-
iny TO counsel you. Believe me, that it Il in no
presumptuous feeling that do so, but solely Ia an
honest, sincere, and humble hope of contributing
my mite TO the welfare and honor of our Staie.-7-
| What have said has been evoked by your recent
manifestations of kindness to me. This | shSll
cherish one of the Iroudest recollections of my
lie for il assures me Of yonr belief ihlt have
tried to do my duty. II only remsins for me, ia
bidding you farewell to say that whenever the
State needs my services, she has only to command
and shall obey. | am very respectfully and
gratefully your fellow-citzen, ,.. . .fi
WADE HAMPTON.
nSA. The discovery OF rich mines of cinnabar, or