The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-01-25
Gov. Walker, of Florida.

his able ana eNCclleHI iliduSuIdi euuieo'
we make the following extracts, which
are worthy of pcrusal:
In alluding to the expression of opin
ion by leading men before the actual in
auguration of war, Gov. Walker said:
"Mr. Greely, then, as now, a great lead
er Of Northern sentiment, had said that
'he could not see how twenty millions Of
people could rightfully hold ten, or even
five, in Union with them, by military
forcc;' and again, that if seven or eight
States should send agents to Washington
to say, 1--WE want to get out of the Un-
ion," he should feel constrained to say,
"Let them go."' In this connection he
also quoted the Declaration of Indcpcn-
dence, that Governments are instituted
for the benefit of the governed, and that
when any form of government becomes
destructive of these ends, it is the right OF
the people TO alter or abolish it, and to
institute new government,"' &c.
"Mr. Lincoln, prior to his first election,
had acknowledged this principle, with the
addition that not only people, but any
part of people, being sufficient in num-
Der to make a respectable government,
might set up for themselves Mr.. Tyler,
a late President of the United States,
held to the doctrine of secession, and Mr..
Buchanan, the then President Of the Uni
ted said, just before the commencement
of the war, that while he thought State
had no right to leave the Union, yet, If
she should leave it, the remaining States
would have no right to coerco her return.
aAmidst these various and conflicting
views, all supported by tho highest au-
thority, it Is no wonder that our people
should have become bewldered, or that,
being forbidden by the stress of events to
remain neutral, some should have ad-
hered to the Union and others to the
State.
"For these reasons, repeat, that if l.
shall be permitted to administer the gov
ernment, 1 shall know no distinction be-
tween citizens on account of past politi-
cal differences. I shall take it for grant
ed that all have done what they conceiv-
ed to be their duty under the circumstan-
ccs, and the only question shall ask con-
corning any one presented to me for po-
sition will be, lis he honest, is he capable,
is he attached to the principles OF the
Constitution of the United States and to
the Constitution of the State of Florida'
All shall have the equal benefit of the
laws, and, as Heaven is my judge, all
shall equally suffer the kcenest penalty of
the laws for any infraction thereof. Law
and order shall be maintained"
Regarding the negro, the Governor
used this language
II think we are bound by every con-
sidcration of duty, gratitude and interest,
to make these people as enlightened,
prosperous and happy as their new situa-
ton will admit. For generations past
they been our faithful, contentcd and
happy slaves. They have been attached
to our persons and our fortunes, sharing
with us all our feelings-rejoicing with
us in our prosperity, mourning with us in
our adversely. If there were exceptions
to this general rule, they wero only indi-
vidual exceptions. Every Southern man
who hears me knows that what | say is
literally true in regard to the vast mass
of our colored- population. The world
has never before seen such q body OF
slaves. For, not only in peace but in
wal, they have been faithful to us. Du-
ring much of the time Of the late unhap-
by difficulties, Florida had a greater num-
Der of men in the army, beyond hor lin
ifs than constituted her entire voting
population. This of course stripped
many districts of their entire arms-bear-
ING inhabitants, and left our females and
infant children almost exclusively to the
protection Of our slaves. They proved
true to their trust. Not one instance OF
insult, outrage, or indignity, has ever
come to my knowledge. They remained
at home and made provisions for our az
my. Many OF them went with our sons
to the army, and there, too, proved their
fidelity, attending them we'll, nursing and
caring for them when sick and wounded
We all know that many of them were will
ling, and some of them ANXIOUS, to take
up arms in our cause. Although, for sew
eral years, within sound of the guns OF
the vessels of the United States, for six