New Orleans daily crescent., 1866-10-19
wade Hampton on the Crisis.


The following is the concluding portion of the
speech of Gen. Wade Hampton, delivered before
the Soldiers Association at Walhalla, South
Carolina, on the 22d ultimo
have placed before you the record of the South
and that 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,
lhe condition of our country, and now turn to
the discussion of what should be our policy. In
the anomalous condition in which we are placed,
it is matter of great difficulty to mark out the
proper for us to pursue, but there are GER
tain cardinal principles of which we should never
lose sight The tirss of these is, that as we ac-
cepted 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 honestly. They are
none the less binding on us because the dominant
and unscrupulous party at the North refuse to ac-
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 and mag
nanimity of the North.
These virtues, would fain hope are not totally
extinct among that people, and there are brave
men there, who are battling for justice, for consti
tutiona liberty for the equality Of all the States
and for the rights Of the 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 natural allies, and would sacrifice
much-where honor and principle are not involved,
and then | would not yield one iot or tittIe-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 purpose and his ndomitable will
give 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 of our expectations in
carrying out his policy to its legitimate ends, but
we cannot forget that he has been the only bull
WaTk to stand between our unhappy country and
certain, irretrievabe aud everlasting ruin. But
for him the horrors we endured during the war
would have been far surpassed by those of peace.
And though differing with him in many points |
cheerfully accord to him the highest praise for the
brave and patriotic stand he has taken in defense
of the South and Of the Constitution. There is
one other point on which there should be no mis-
understandings to our position, no loop on which
TO hang possible misconsructlon as to our views,
and that is the abolition of slavery. have already
ntimated that the mode by which the North Sc
cured the acquiescence of the South in the CON
summation OF this purpose was q breach Of faith
on her part.
OF ali 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 rgdly excluding them
from the Union, to ratlty the constitutional amend
ment abOlishing slavery, which they could do
legally only as States of that Union. But the deed
has been done, and I, for one, do honestly de-
clare that never wish to see it revoked Nor
do believe that the people of the South would
now remand the negro to slavery il they had the
power to do so unquesIiOned. Under our paternal
care, from a mere handful he grew to be q mighty
host. He came to US heather, we made him a
Christian. Idle, vicious, savage in his own coun-
try; in ours he became industrious, gentle, civil
lied. Let lis history as slave be compared
hereafter with that which he will make for him
self as freedman, and by the result of that COM
pQrison we are willing to be judged.
A great responsibility is lifted from our shoulders
by this emancipation, and we willingly cOM init his
destiny to his own hands, hoping that he may
prove himself worthy of the new position in which
US; as a freedman, let Us treat him as Il friend.
Deal with him frankly, justly, kindly, and my word
for it he will reciprocate your kindness, clngng
to his old home, his own country and his former
masters. If you wish to see him GQntented, indus.
trious useful, aid him in his effort to elevate him.
self in the scale of civilization and thus fit himno
only to enjoy the blessings Of freedom but to ap-
precate its dnties
The essential points, then, in the policy we
should pursue are, it appears to me, these That
we should fulfill all the obligations we have en-
tered into, to the letter, keeping faith so clear
that no shudow of dishonOr can fall on us; that
we should sustain Mr. johnson cordially in his
policy, giving our support to that party which
rallies around him; that we should yield full obe-
dence to the laws Of the land, reserving to our.
selves at the same time, the inalienable right OF
freedom of speech and of opinion; and that, as to
the great question which so often materially af'
fected our interests, the abolition of slavery, we
shall declare it settled forever. Pursue this
course steadily: bear with patience and dignity
those evils which are pressing heavily on you
Commit yourself to the guidance of God, anG
whatever may be your fate, you will be able tC
face the future without selfreproach.