Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1867-09-06
[coKREsposDENoE.]
LETTER OF GEN. HAMPTON.

LETTER OF GEN. HAMPTON.
COLUMBIA, July 81, 1867.
GENERAL: The undersigned, in behalf OF
many others Of your friends, as we'll as Of
themselves, very respectfully crave your
advice with regard to their action in the
very important "a alters soon to be submit.
ted to the people Of the State. We have
no Intention to oppose tho execution of any
law, even were it in our power; but under
the Reconstruction Act certain latitude of
action is left Us, which entails upon US GU
lire responsibility for oil consequences
which may flow therefrom. We be-
lisye this responsibility to be very grave,
and those consequences vital to every
class Of our community, insepsrabiy con.
nectsd as are the interests Of all. Re
cent events show that there is no longer q
possibility Of that entire harmony of action
among our people, for which you and. We
> have heretofore hoped and striven. The
views of the whole community are unset =
tied Ly the aspect of affairs, and the pso-
pie look to those who command their con.
fdsncs for course of action upon which
all may agree, who truly desire the pros
perity Of the State.
Hesitating to intrude upon you in your
withdrawal from public affairs, but beliey-
ing that your own appreciation of the
emergency will excuse our request; that
your we'll proven patriotism will irrcsisti-
bly, plead 1t; and that your calm and ex-
perienced judgment will weigh supremely
with your friends, and command the deep
consideration Of all honest men, we sub
scribe ourselves, very respectfully, yours,
D. w. RAY,
WIN. Fl. TALLEY,
3. P. THOMAS,
+. N. LAW,
And about sixty others. .....
To Gen. Wade Hampton, Colombia.
'GENrLEMES.: I beg TO acknowledge the
receipt of tue letter, ia which you do me
the honor to ask my" advice with re-
gard to your action in the very important
matters soou'to be submitted to the peo-
:ple.o the State" Though cannot but
;feel.that many of thoss whose names are
signed 10 this. communication are far mere
competent to offer counsel on the grave
topics now agitating the public mind than
:myseIf, as deem it to be the duty of every
man, when called on by bis feIIow.citizenss,
in time of peril, to contribute all ibis power
:opromote The general welfare. or to ward
off the common danger, I willingly COM
ply with your lsttering request.
Recognizing, then, the duty imposed on
me by your call, and i.npelled, also, by the
great respect feol for these who have thus
Aonored me, shall state with perfect can,
dor the imminent dangers surrounding US,
and point out with equal frankness the
only cour,e which, 10 my judgment, we
can pursue with honor, or with any hope
of ultimate safety. Before proceeding to
the discussion Of the present condition OF
sffairs. it is proper to let you know what
were the views entertained by myself i'm
msdistsly after the cessation. of active hos
tilitieat and what was .he course thought
our people should then follow. This can
not be done more concisely than by giving
to you q copy Of letter addressed to
Jathes G.. Gibbss, Esq, chairman of a
public meeting, which was hold here in
August, 1866. Not being in the city at
that time, l wrote tue following letter,
i. which, yielding to the views of others,
afterwards determined not to publish
AUGUST 20, 1865.
10 lis Honor James G.. G,bbes, Mayor o,
Columbia.
SIR: Having beer absent when the late
public meeting Was ield in the city, take
sthis method Of expressing my views on the
ssubjects discussed on, that occasion. It il
With some reluctance that I express these
. views, ~ I do no, concur in the policy ad-
rocatsd by the Meeting. Is it desirable
shst the people Of. the State should take
any action looking to restoration Of civi
government atpressut' I think not; and
for these reaso,s: s;tE~t.
The State iseither member Of the Fsds
raj Union, O It 'is not. II q member
then not onF is,ita work Of sqpererogs-
don for hero ask admission to the Union
but abe is BY the Constitution Of III,
United sttee, guaranteed 3 republics,
form OF goernment, aad she has The righ
to administer her government under sucl
. constitution. and BY auch laws as sh
:. chooses. But II sl,e is,' sn-ethe contrary
hIa:nota member Of the Union, she must b
regarded either ss . Territory, or a. cor
iissahsred 5 Poviuoe. In either condition, th
Abr Unitsd States authorities are charged wit