Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-09-05
Anderson $ soldier,s aid Association.

An immense meeting of the Soldiers of the
late Confederate States, of Anderson District
assembled at Anderson C. H., according to
previous notice, on the 18th Aug, and pro
ceeded to business by calling Lieut.. Jas. A.
Hoyt to the Chair, and the appointment oil
Messrs. w. W. Humphries and Jno. B. Moore
Secretaries.
Lieut. Hoyt. upon taking the Chair, ex-
planned the object of the meeting in q few
appropriate and well-timed remarks.
A resolution was then adopted for the ap-
pointment of a Committee Of twelve to pre-
pare business for the meeting. The Chair
made the appointments. and the Committee
retired.
1t having been ascertained that Gen. Wade
Hampton was in the village, upon motion, a
Committee Of three consisting of Maj. Jno.
B. Moore, Col. Sam. Pckens and d. X.
Rreazeaie were appointed to wait upon and
invite him to attend and participate in the
meeting.
After an absence of few moments, the
Committee returned, escorting the General,
who was received with enthusiastic applause
The Chairman having introduced him to
the assembly, before taking his seat, Gen.
Hampton delivered most appropriate and
beautiful speech. lie said:
= Brother Soldiers Of Andersoi, I deem my
self fortunate that accident has given me the
pleasure of meeting with you to-day, and OF
participating in the laudable objects contem-
plated by your meeting; and that pleasure is
greatly enhanced by seeing around me many
of the brave men whom it was my good for
tune to command during the war. These
regions rgaye to The armies Of the
South some Of eur best soldiers, and it is due
to them that ! should declare, what / do here
with infinite qualification, that had in my
ranks none better, brayer or more devoted
than the men Of this and the adjoining Dis
tricts. In your presence desire to tender to
them NY heartfelt thanks for their conduct
as soldiers. They have the proud conscious
ness Of having performed. their duty to the
State, and this will be some compensation to
them for the result Of the war. And, brother
soldiers, whilst we acquiesce in the result, let
US not admit that the cause Of it was unjusti-
fable or wrong. l accept the terms upon
which we laid down Our arms, in good faith,
and it is our duty to observe these terms faith
fully; but whilst ]. do this, l shall never say
that we had not right on our sidc-I Shall
never hold my State as guilty or her sons as
traitors. The cause is not to be judged by
success or failure. Success does not inevita-
bly, make right or truth or justice, nor does
failure always imply evil, wrong or falsehood.
Ifthe Justice Of q cause always insures success,
Poland, Hungary and Ireland would not now
groan under the heel. of the oppressor, nor
would the South be reduced to the sad con-
diton in which she finds herself tc-Gay. But
sad as is the condition al our beloved land,
we must not foTsake it. She has need OF all
her sons. You know that in years that are
Just passed, you regarded it as your highest
duty to stand by your colors. So now it is
your duty to stand by your State, Her COL
ors are nailed to the mast, and letus stand
or fall with her. Give her all the aid you
can, and if she sinks, at least let us 60 down
with her.
For these reasons, I have discouraged en-
igration. believe It's our highest duty to
peace to help aau q aE order
by the war; and to endcavor to raise our pros
tratc and bleeding country. We may not be
able to do much towards alleviating the suf-
iering and sorrows of our people, hut We can
at least take our share Of them, and thus ligh-
en- the general burden by distributing it
amongst US ALL To the conplishment of
these .obiects-the highest that patriotism
can inspre-I ipvoke your earnest co-opera.
ton. it will require all your energy, all
your strength, all your endurance, 10 restore
hope to our people or vitality TO our State.
I'VE can expect nothing from ihe Govern
ment of the United States, whatever party
may be in power. The Convention at Phia-
dclphia-where the North and South, bury
ing the past, were to re-establish liberty,
conality, fraternity-has declared. the plat
form upon which the conservatives propose
to enter the next canvass. In the declaration
of principles which compose that platform, |
see it announced that tho brave soldiers and
sailors who Suppressed the rebellion are en-
titled to the thanks of the nation; That the
debt incurred in that holy crusade is 10 be
sacred, and that all Confederate debts arc
null and void. We pension the men who
forged our ielters but the soldiers Of the
Somtl-mcn with empty sleeVsa og}ai, crulchcS
such rs are seen around MO now--are to he
branded as outlaws, rebels aud traitors. no
fostering hand Of a patcrnal Government
soothcs or cares for their widows and or
phans. -,
The country and the government fer which
thcy fought, like their hopes, arc dead, and
they are thrown on the cold Charity os the
world. 1t is our duty TO open oar hearts and
our hands TO cur brave disabled soldiers, and
care for the families of those who fell in our
defense. Whatever MAY have been the result
of the cause in which they fell, remember
that they died for US, fighting, as they hon
cstly believed, to make US free. They oi'er-
ed up their lives willing sacrifice ior theii
country, and shame upon tLc lllaTi VINO would
not help those who have lost their all in oul
behalf. shall never turn my back upon any
brave soldier, who stood by his banncrto tho
last, though that glorious banner may be for
ever .furled though now
"There's not man to wave it,
And there's not soul to save it, ?
And there's not onclcrt to lave it
In the blood which heroes gave it,"
'Ts true that we have bat little left to US
that we are impoverished but we can a
least share pittancc with those who have
To rscord the names Of those who fought
for us to perpetuatc the history of The gal
liant troops given by our State to the com
mon cause to extend aid TO those who are
disabled, and to those .whnseprotectors tell IL
the war, are the noble purposes of. your pro
posed Association. I wish you God:speed il
this good work. / congratulate myself tha
I have been permitted to participate in thes'
holy objects, and pray that God may blos
them to the fullest extent OF your wishes:
thank you, gentlemen, for the courtesy yo'
have extended tome, and for the kindness
with which you have received me.
Upon the conclusion Of this speech, al
-, ,r1,o .b,d oorvod in the Conlederat