Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-08-22
Gov. orr's Speech.

: The Nat;oaai Mte'ligcnce' publishes the
following report of Gov. 0rr's speech, at the
National Guard Hall, Philadelphia, on the
night of the 18th:
FELLow.cIrIzENs + esteem myself fortu-
nate upon the present occasion, with being
honored with an invitation to address you Oh
the opening of your campaign in this State.
Ten years ago, stood before you with the
late lamenteI Douglas, when we then gave
10 you our opinions of the principles Of the
Democratic party. would to God that he
again stood before you, since the great changes
have occurred. A gulf has yawned; bui
now that gulf has been clJscd, ard we have
come here TO form union between the coz
Servatiye men Of the North and of The South
will merely glance at o few points to show
you that The professions lnade by the people
of the South since they have la'd down their
arms, are honest and whole.souled. The war
began on the part of the South through the
peup;e believing they had the rightto secede.
You did not agree to that. War resulted i;
The Suu,h was conquered; and the interpreta-
iion YOU gave the Constitution has been es
tab,ished firmly as the legal one. That decis-
ion was iron. nnced on the field Of battle by
the highest tribunal, aud the decree is ineon.
troYeriibe. The nationality of our Govern
mcnt has been established. The South has
surrendered the principles she believed, and
rs willing to accept your Interpretation. NJ
man would reopen the dreadful C ntest to see
whether the decision was the right one; but
all are willing to abide by it forever. By
this war; the people Of the South have, to a
very large extent, been stripped of their
property. Their banks me gone and their
credit gone. ia many localities, tie great
st.nl point OF civil law has been lost Thus,
the people of tbs South have far more need
OF stable Government than you have. and
it is mad folly TO charge that they will not
Culf. their oa:bs to support this Government.
Although yonr public debt has been contracted
in defeating 81 section OF coun'ry from which
come, vet wonld feel that any reputation
Of the deb, would be dishonCf to my own
inc trity. Tai; is my Government: it is my
children aud graud dchidren's Government.
As a participant in the rebellion, an now
Tor this Government, and its honor is my
honor. desire it to sta"d before all the na
TORS OF the earth in the glory, and pride, and
prosperity OF 4 great nation oil the World
F,llow c;iz=n' We have been. Knocking at
the dear for eight long months, asking Con-
gres: that the best, the intellectual, and lead
nr men of the South Shall be admitted into
Congress, to represent us there. II we are
not TO be trusted now, when are we to be
trusted' Is it just or right that we should
be excluded from these privileges No; Tor
the right of representation is regarded as one
Of the most sa5lad rights in this country. Is
it just and far. Or generous, that We should
be excluded from legislation, while taxes are
imposed upon Us without our consent2 |
anu delegate from South Carolina to the
Gonroation, and hope they will 'e success
ful in forming party to stand against the
mad policy OF the radicals in Congress When
the Convention aijourns, and sends forth the
rssuts Of its deliberations, trust hat ali
rigbt-mindcd men will be able 10 agree 10
their deeds.