Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-10-25

The Government is about to throw thirty
millions in gold on the market.
Wade Hampton on the Crisis.
The following is the concluding portion
of the speech of General Wade Hampton,
delivered before the "Soldiers' Association "
at Walhalla, South Carolin, on the 22d ul'
timo:
I have placed before you the record Of
the South and that of the North. Let the
world decide which is entitled to honor -
which to shame. l have drawn in dark
colors, but alas in too true ones, the con.
dition of our country, and l now turn
to the discussion of what should be our
policy. In the anamolous condition in
which we are placed, it is matter ofgrest
difficulty to mark out the proper course for
us to pursue, but there are certain cardinal
principles of which we should never lose
sight. The first of these is, that as we ac.
cept the terms offered to US by the North in
good faith, we are bound by every dictate
of honor to abide by them fully and honest
ly. They are none the less binding on us
because the dominant and unscrupulous par.
ty at the North refuse. to accord to US our
rights. Let US, at least, prove ourselves
worthy of the claim; let us set an example
of good faith, and We can then appeal with
double effect to the justice and magnauimi
ty of the North.
These virtues, I would vain hope, are not
totally extinct among that people, and there
are brave men there, who are battling for
Justice, for constitutional liberty, for the
equality of all the States, and for the rights
the South. The only hope, not alone for
the South, but for freedom itself, on the
continent, lies in the success of this party.
We are their natural allies, and l would
sacrifice much where honor and prin-
ciple are not invaded, and Thea l would not
yield one jot or title - to strengthen their
hands in the great contest, which is soon to
decide the fate of Constitutional Liberty
and Republican Institutions in the United
States. The President of the United States
has lent the great influence which his high
position, his strong intellect, his firm pur-
pose and his indomitable will, gave to this
new conservative party, and to his support
every Southern man should rally cordially.
We may, perhaps, feel that he has not
gone to the extent of his power or our ex-
pectations in carrying out his policy to its
legitimate ends, but we cannot forget that
he has been the only bulwark to stand be.
tween our unhappy country and certain, ir-
retrievabe and everlasting ruin. But for
him the horrors we endured during the war
would have been far surpassed by those of
peace. Aud though differing with him in
many points, 1 cheerfully accord to him the
highest praise for the brave and patriotic
stand he has taken in defence of the Con-
stitution. There is one other point on which
there should be no misunderstanding as to
our position, no loop on which to hang a
possible misconstruction as to our views,
and that is the abolition Of slavery. [ have
already iutimated that the mode by which
the North secured the acquiescence of the
South in the consumation of this purpose
was breach of faith on her part.
Of all the inconsistencies of which the
North has been guilty - and their name is
legion - none is greater than that by which
she forced the Southern States, while rigid
" excluding them from the Union, to ratify
the constitutional amendment abolishipg sla-
very, which they could do legally only as
States of that Union. But the deed has
been done, and 1, for one, do honestly de.
clare that never wish to see it revoked.
Nor do l believe that the people of the
South would now remand the negro to sla.
very if they had the power to do so unques
toned. Under our paternal care, from
mere handful, he grew to be mighty host.
He came to US heather, We made him
Christian. Idle, vicious, savage iu his own
country; in ours he became industrious,
gentle, civilized Let his history as a slave
be com pared hereafter with that which he
will make for himself as a freedman, and
BY the result of that comparison we are vii,
ling to be judged A great responsibility
is lifted from our shoulders by this emanci-
patton, and We are willing to commit this des-
tiny to his own hands, hoping that he may
prove himself worthy of the new position in
which he has been placed. As slave he
was faithful to as; as freedman, let US
treat him as a friend. Deal with him frank
ly, justly, kindly, and my word for it he
will reciprocate your kindpess, clinging to
his old home, his own country and his for
mer masters. If you wish to see him con.
tented, Industrious, useful, aid him in his