The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-08-08
LETTER FROM GEN. HAMPTON.
From the Columbia Phoenix.

CTR: Numerous communications having been
addressed to me, proposing to form colony to
enigrate, [ take this method of answering them,
not only on account of their number, but be-
cause of the want of all mali facilities. The
desire to leave a country which has been re-
duced to such deplorable condition as ours,
aud whose future has so little Of hope, is doubt
less as wide spread as it is natural. But | doubt
the prOpriety of this expatrlation of so many of
our best men. The very fact that our State is
passing through so terrible an ordeal as the pre-
sent, should cause her sons to cling the more
closely to her. My advice to all Of my fellow
citizens is, that they should devote their whole
energies TO the restoration Of law and order, the
re-cstabliShment of agriculture and commerce,
the promotion Of education and the rebuilding
of our cities and dwellings which have been laid
in ashes. To accomplish these objects-the
highest that patriotism conceive-l recon-
mend that all who can do so should take the
oath of allegiance to the United States Govern
mert, so that they may participate in the resto-
ration Of civil government to our State. War,
after four years Of heroic but unsuccessful
struggle, has failed to secure to US the rights
for which we engaged in it. To save any of
our rig ights-to rescue anything more from the
general ruin-will require all the craftsmanship
and all the patriotism of our citizens If the
best men of our country-thOse who for years
past have risked their lives IN her defence-re
fuse to take the oath, they will be excluded from
the councils of the State, and its destiny will be
committed of necessity to those who forsOok her
In her hour Of need, or to those who would glad
ly pull her down to irretrievable ruin. To guard
against such calamity, let all true patriots de-
vote themselves, with zeal and honesty of pur-
o.Io e ~ g
peace and to the rescue Of whatever of liberty
may be, saved from the general wreck, If, after
an honest effort to effect these objects, we fail,
we can then seek home in another country.
\ distinguished citizen of our State-an honest
nan and true patr.ot-has been appointed
Governor. He will soon call convention Of
the people, which will be charged with the most
vital interests of our State. Choose for this
convention your best>and truest men; not those
who have skulked in the hour of danger-nor
those who have worshipped Mammon, 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 oil upon the altar Of their country. Sc
lect such men, and make them serve as your re-
presentatives. You will then be sure that your
rights will not be wantonly sacrificed, nor your
liberty bartered for a mess of pottage. My in
tenton is to pursue the course | recommend to
others. Besides the obligations [ owe my State,
there others of a personal character which
will not permit me to leave the country at pre-
sent. shall devote myself earnestly, if allowed.
to DO 50, to the discharge of these obligations,
public and private. In the meantime, shall
II obtain all information which would be desirable
in the establishment of colony, in case we
should ultimately be forced to leave the country
invoke my fellow-citizens specially those
who have shared with me the perils and the
slOries Of the last four years-to stand by our
State manfully and truly. The Roman Senate
voted thanks to one of their generals, because
IN the darkest hour of the Republic, he did not
despair. Let US emulate the example of the
Roman, and thus entitle ourselves to the graft
tude OF our country. Respectfully, yours,
WADE HAMPTON.