The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-04-03
GENERAI sIcKLEs AND THE MERCHANTS OF
CHARLESTON.


recently paid their respects to the commanding
officer of this Military District, Gen. DANIEL Z.
s1cKLEs The names published indicate the lead
ing merchants and citizens Of the metropolis; anu
we publish the addresses OF the occasion in oruer
to show the harmony and cordially of sentiment
displayed by these gentlemen. w. ). hASiiA'
Esq, introduced the merchants to Gen. sIcKLEs'
and addressed him as follows:
GENERAL We have called upon you, not IN De-
half of the citizens generally, but On our own ac-
count. TO paw our respects to you Us Commanding
General of this Military District:
If were simply to express my own sentiments
It would be matter of no difficulty, but as am
acting as the exponent of all the gentlemen pres
en it has been thought best to commit their senti-
men,s to writing; and take great pleasure In
reading them to you as follows:
We have to congratulate ourselves that one sd
we'll known to our people as yourself should have
been appointed to the command of this Military
District. The whole country, North and South,
is suffering in its business relations by reason of
the unsettled political status OF this section OF the
Union.
II is our desire, General, and we CON speak for
the great masses of our people, that all dssensons
should cease, and every effort be made to restore
peace and prosperity to our distracted country.
The wealth of the country is in the amount Of
labor employed, and nothing else. 1t were vain
to levy taxes unless the wealth is produced to pay
them It's the interest of the States, North and
South, that every laborer, white and colored,
should contribute his share to the general pros
perity, and until our political difficulties are set
tied and the ten Southern States are represented
in Congress, credit will continue to languish and
our fields to be but partially cultivated.
We conceive it of the utmost Importance to the
people of the United States that the labor Of the
South should be fully and Immediately developed.
The production of four million bales Of cotton, to-
gether with our rice, sugar and tobacco, will at
once stimulate every channel of Industry, giving
employment to our mercantile, marine, railroads
and manufacturers, and aid in securing the pay
ment of the national debt.
No party feeling should exist towards the South
ern States. We are neither sectional, nor are We
of any party. We can mould our industry to meet
any legislatiou whether it be the protection of ag
riculture, commerce or manufactures.
IN conclusion, sir, We would every ef-
fort will be made by ourselves and friends, and,
we think, by The people at large, to sustain our
rulers in establishing representative Government.
General Sickles replied as follows:
GENTLEMEN: 1t affords me great satisfaction to
receive this visit and to hear the gratifying senti
ments which have beeh' expressed. feel assured
that the citizens generally will do everything in
their power to sustain the laws and to aid me in
the discharge of the duties which am to perform.
The general interests and prosperity of North
and South Carolina have been the object Of my
earnest solicitude since have been in command
in this department. and what haSe dome in this
regard, in the past, 1 will continue TO do in the
future The solution of the present political diff
culties rests with the citizens themselves. The
military authorities will not interfere as parsans
in political movements or organizations. We will
endeavor impartially and fairly, to promote the
reorganization of the civil government in the Two
States. Ample protection will be given to life,
liberty and property.
In conclusion, gentlemen, be assured that shall
always be glad to hear any expression of your
sentiments, and to comply with your suggestions
SO for as may comport with my sense of duty