The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-10
Lister from Wade Hampton, the Last
IF Ina ChfVaIFy.

81 Ane CuANaAHys
To the Editor of the Columbia Pheaiz:
5IE: Numerous communications having
been addressed 70 me proposing to form q
colony to emigrste, L take this method of
answering them, not only on account or
their number, but because of the want of
all mail facilities. The desire to leave q
country which has been reduced to so de-
plorable q condition as ours, and whose fu-
ture has SO little of hope, is doubtless IS
widespread as it is natural. But l doubt
the propriety of this ezpatriAtiOn of 80
many of our best men. The very fact that
our State is passing through so terrible an
ordeal as the present should cause her sons
TO cling more closely TO her. My advice
TO all my fellow. citizens isthat they should
devote their whole energies to the restorA-
ton of sw and order, the re establishment
of agriculture and commerce, the promo
tion of education, and the re- building of
our cities and dwellings which have been
laid in ashes. To accomplish these objects
the highest that patriotism can conceive
Il recommend that all who can do so take
the oath of allegiance TO the United States
-6overnment, 50 that they may participate
IN the restoration Of civil government to
our State.
War, after four years of heroic but un-
successful struggle, has failed to secure for
us the rights for which we engaged in it.
To q any of our rights-to rescue any
thing more from the ruin-Will require all
the craftsmanship and all the patriotism Of
our citizens. If the best men of our coun-
try-thOse who for years past have risked
their lives in her defsnse-refuse to take
the oath, they will be excluded from the
councils of the State, and its destiny will
be committed of necessity to those whofor-
sock her in her hour Of need, or to those
who would gladly pull her down to ire
trievable ruin. To guard against such q
calamity, let all true patriots devote them
selves, with zeal and honesty Of purpose,
to the restoration of law, the blessings of
peace, and to the rescue of whatever of lib
erty may be saved from the general wreck.
Il, after al honest effort to effect these OBJ.
jscts, we fail, we can then seek q home in
another country.
A distinguished citizen of our state-sn
honest man and a true pstriot-has been
appointed Governor. He will soon call a
convention of the people, which will be
charged with the most vital interests #
our State. Choose for this convention
JOuI oOSs euN thuoot moo uOb tuOe6 WHO
have skulked in the hour OF dADger-nor
those who have w~orshipped Msmmon,
while their country was bleeding at every
pore-nor the politician, who, after urging
war, dared not encounter its hardships-
but those, who laid their all upon the altar
of their country. Select such men and
make them serve as your representatives.
You will then be sure that your rights will
not be wantonly sacrificed nor your liberty
bsrtered for a mess of pottsge. Ny inten-
tion is to pursue the. course l recommend
70 others. Besides the obligations I owe
to my State there are others of a personal
character which will not permit me 70
leave the country at present. l shall de-
vote myself earnestly, if allowed to do so,
to the discharge of these obligations public
and private. In the meantime 1 shall OBJ
tain all information which would be de-
sirsble IN the establishment of a colony, in
case we should ultimately be forced to
leave the country. 1 invoke my fellow
citizsns-especially those who have shared
with me the perils and the glories of the
four yesrs-tO stand by our State man.
fully and truly. The Roman Senate voted
thanks TO one Of their generals because, in
the darkest hour of the republic he did not
Let us emulate the example of
the Roman, and thus entitle ourselves to
The gratitude of our country. 9s
Respectfully, yours,
WADE HAMPTON,