The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1866-10-20
Gen. Hampton on the Crisis.


distinguished fellow citizen, recently de.
livered before the Soldiers Associa.
citation" of ,Walhalla, the following para.
graphs which we commend to the care
full perpsal of our readers: -
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. / have drawn
in dark colors, but, alas, in too true
ones, the condition OF our country, and
! now turn to tho discussion of what
should be our policy. In the anomalous
condition in which we are placed it is
a matter of great 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 accepted the
terms offered TO us by the North in good
faith, we ere bound by every dictate of
honor TO abide by them fully and hon
estly. They are none the'less binding
on us because the dominant and unscru-
pulous party at the North refuse to &C.
cord to us our just rights. Let us, at
least prove ourselves worthy of the
rights we claim let us set an example
OF good faith, and we can then appeal,
with double effect. to the justice ard
magnanimity Of the North, al
These WRITES, I would fhin 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 oftiie South. The
only hope, not alone for the South, but
for freedom itself, on this continent, lies
in the success Of this party. We are
their nataral alias, ai,d.I wal,id secriGce
much whore honor and principle ara
not invaded, and then I would not yield
one jot or tittle-Ato strengthen their
hands in the great contest which is soon
to decide the fate of constitutional lib.
erty and republican institutions in The
United States. The President Of The
United States has lent the great infin.
ence which his high position, his strong
intellect his firm purpose aud his indo.
mitable will, give to this new oonserva-
tive party, and to bis support every
Southern man should rnlly cordially.
We may, perhaps, feel that he has
not gone to the extent Of his power. or.
of our expectations, in carrying out his
policy to its legitimate ends. but we can
not forget that he has been the only
bulwark TO stand between our unhappy
country and certain, irretriveble and
everlasting ruin. Bnt for him the hor.
rers we endured during the war, would
have been far surpassed by those Of
peace. And, though differing with him
in many points, ] cheerfnlly accord 10
him the highest praise for the brave and
patriotic stand he has taken in defence
OF the South and Of the Constitution.
There is ono other point on which there
should be no Misunderstanding as to our
position, no loop on which to lang q
possible misconstruction as to our views;
and that is the abolition of slavery. i
have already intimated that the mode
by which the North secnred the acquies-
cence Of the South IN the consummation
ofthis parposo was a breach Of faith on
her part.
Cfall the inconsistencies of which the
North has been gnilty--and their name
is legion---none is, greater than that by
which shey forced the Southern States;
whils rigidly excluding them from, the
Union. TO rati!y the constitutional
amendment abolishing slavery. which
they could dolegally only as States Of
that Union. But the decd has been
DONE and1, for one, do honestly declare
that never wish to see itrevoked. Nor
do 1 believe that tho people OF the
South would now remand the negro to
slavery, il they had the power to do 90
nnquestioned! Under our paternal care,
from q nisre handful, he grew 10 be a
mighty host He came 70 us, a heath.
on, we made him q christian Ydle,
1viciouss savage, il his history as slave
be eompasedI hereafter, with that which
he @iii'mske fof himself ss 4 freedman
and by The result Of that comparison we