The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1865-12-08

the patriotism, all the courage, all tn,
eDdurance OF our whole people. Let nc
party strife, no miuor issues, 10 petty pol
tics, divert us from the great and pressing
work OF the hour, that of terminating
as far as possible, our PROSTATE and bleed
ing State, and rchabilitating her as speed
lily as may be with the forms, the rights
and the sanctity Of the government and
Of law,
The bark which was launched few
years ago, amid such joyous acclamations,
which was freighted with such precious
hopes, aud which was waited on by such
earnest prayers, has suffered shipwreck
1t behooves US, as wise men, to build OF
Its broken timbers, as best we may, raft
Whenever wo may hnro to rnnch haven
of rest and safety.
1t may be that when the forms of gov
ernment are restored, and freedom of
speech allowed US, your late convention
will be subjected to harsh criticism and
its action impugned. Should such un-
happily, 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 no shadow of authority, admit-up-
der the Constitution of the United States
to order a convention in this or auy
'other State, but, as conqueror, he had
the right to offer, if not to dictate terms
The terms offered by him you have &C
cepted, and you are bound by every die
tate of honor aud manliness to abide by
them honestly, and to keep in good faith
the pledges you have given. / do net
myself concur fully in all the measures
adopted by the convention; but | shall
cheerfully acquiesce in the action it took
to carry out faithfully the terms agreed on,
and l willingly accord to it high praise for
the manner in which it discharged its ar
duous and unwelcome labors. No SINH
lar body ever represented more largely
than it did the dignity, the learning, the
virtue, the patriotism of the State, and |
am sure that it was actuated by pure and
high motives. Entertaining these views,
l think that it is our duty to sustain the
action Of the convention in recognizing
the abolition of slavery, to support the
President Of the United States SO long as
he manfests disposition to restore all our
rights as sovereign State, and to give to
our ncwly-elected Governor cordial CO.
operations iu his grave and responsible
duties. Above all, let US stand by our
State--her record is honorable, her escutch.
con uutaruished. Here is our country
the land Of our nativity, the home of our
affections. Here all our hopes should
centre here We have worshipped the
God Of our fathers hero amid cbarred
and backeued ruins, are the spots we
opce fondly called our homes; aud here
we buried the ashes of our kindred. All
these sacred ties binds US to our State,
and they are intensified by her sutferings
and her desolation.
And, as child, when soaring sounds modest,
Clings close and closer to the mothers breast
So the loud torrent and the whirlwind's roar
But binds US TO our native land the more.
trust that you will pardon me for
thus ivnsurng to counsel you. Believe
me, that it is in 10 presumptuous feeling
that I do so, but solely in an honest, SIN
cere and humble hope of contributing my
mite to the welfare and honor of our
State. What l have said has been evok-
ed by your recent manifestations of kind.
ness to mo. This | shall cherish as one
of the proudest recolections of my life,
for it ASSURES me of your belief that l have
tried to do my duty. 1t only remains for
me in bidding you farewell, to say, that
whenever the State needs my services sue
has only to command and shall obey.
am, very respectfully and gratefully,
your fellow citizen,
WADE HAMPTON.