Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-08-19
Letter from Wade Hampton, the Last Of
the Chiya,ry.

Letter from WADE HAMPTON, the Ldst Oh
the Chiya,ry. j
To The Editor of the Columbia Ph@nir:;
Simultaneous communications hay
ing been addressed 10 me, proposing to
form colony to emigrate, / take this
method of answering them, not only on
account of their number, but because OF
the want ofsmail facilities. The desire
10 leave a,country which has been re-
duced 10 such deplorable condi tion as
ours. and whose future has So little of
hope. is doubtless as widespread as it is
natural. But, / doubt the propriety of
this expatriation of so many OF our best
men. The very fact that our State Is
passing through so terrible an ordeal as
at present, should cause her sons to
cling the more closely to her. Ally adj
vice TO all my fellow. citizens is, that
fhey should devote oil their energies to
the restoration of law and order. the re-
establishment of agriculture and coHl-
mesee, the promotion of education and
the rebuilding, of our cities and dwell
ipps. which have been laid in' ashes. To
accomplish these fobiects-the highest
that patriotism can conceive recon-
mend that all who can do so, should
fake the oath OF allegiance to the United
States government, SO that they may
uarticipa.e5 in the restoration OF civil
Government to our State. i4HWa
War. after four years of heroic but
| unsuccessful struggle, has failed to Sc
cure TO u.s. the rights for which we en-
oaned in It. To save any OF our rights
TO rescue anything from the general
Iruin--avili reqnire ali the statesmanshlp
] and all tie patriotism of our citizens.
| ri the best men of our country those
who for years past have 11sked their
lives in her defence-rrefuse to take the
oath. they will be excluded from the
councils Of the State, and its destiny
viii be committed of necessity to those
who forsooi her IN her hour OF need,
or TO those who would gladly pull her
down to irretriev:ibIei ruin. To guard
against such calamity, Jet all true
patriots devote themselves, with zeal
and honesty OF purpose, to the restora-
ton of law, the blessings of peace and
TO the rescue of whatever OF liberty
NAV be saved from the general wreck.
III, after an effort. to effect thsse objects,
we fail, we can then seek a home IN an
other country. +" '-' ..eI
3Aldistinguishede citizen of our State
Ian honest man and a true patrlot-h1s
been appointed Governor. lie Will soor
call a convention of the people, which
will be charged with the most vital IN
terests of our State. Choose Tor thH
convention your best and true men; not
those who have skulked in the hour Of
Idanger-nor those who have worshlppeo
Mammon, while their country was
bleeding at every pore-nor the poll
tician, who, after urging war. dared moi
encounter its hardships-but those who
laid their all upon the. altar of then
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 you
liberty bartered for mess of pottage
Ny intention is to pursue the course
recommend TO others. liifo g th6
Besides the obligations l owe to m,
State, there are others of a persona
character which will not permit me t.
leave the country at present. 1 shall
devote myself earnestly, if allowed to d.
so, to the discharge of these obbga
tions, public and private. In the mean
; time shall obtain all information which
would be desirable in the establishment
of a colony, In case We should ultimate
ly be forced to leave the country. l IN
woke my fellow-citiZens- especial.
those who have shared with me thu
perils and the glories of the last foul
years-to stand by our State manfull.
and truly. The Roman Senate voted
thanks TO one of their generals because
lin the darkest hour of the republic, he
did not despair. Let rs emulate the
example of the Roman, and thus enti
tie ourselves to the gratitude of oul
country. Respectfully yours, /
WADE HAMPTON.