The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1867-04-10
!, SPEECH OF
gleF GEN. WADE HAMPTON.
To THE CoIoRRD People OF COLUMBIA.

Ny Friends:--You have requested me 70
give you few words OF advice to. day, and
accept the invitation in the same kind
spirit with which il was gwen. There have
been lew incidents Of a public character,
THAI have gra,iisd me more than this mark
ot con6dense from the colored people OF
this district, amongst whom my lile has
been passed. And 1t gives me pleasure to
say. that by them lhase always been treat
I'd with kindness and respect. Nor has
their conduct towards me changed in the
slightest degree. since the change in our
relative positions. | am, therefore. justifi-
ed III calling you my friends, aud hupe
that. as my past conduct 10 you has made
you look upon me as your Trend, 50 my al :
vice aud actions in the iuturr will but con.
firm you in that belief. You may not know.
perhaps, thar was the first Southern man
who addressed colored audience alter the
close ui the war. This dad, nearly two
years ago. in the lower part OF this DISTRICT,
and the advice gave .hem. shall repeat
now. Again last Tall. in all address ID ny
old soldiers, IN Plckens district, touched
upon the duty OF the whites towards the CO.
lured people, aud shall read to you what
] said on that 0ccasiUn:
- There Is une other point on which there
should be no misunderstanding as TO our
position; 40 loup on which 10 hang posi-
bic mlscOnsaruclIon as 70 oar views, aud
that Is the Abolition OF slavery.
The deed has been done. and |. lnr one, do
honestly declare that never wish to see II
revoked. Nor 10 believe tial the people
OF the South would nuM remand the negro
10 slavery, il they had the power to 10 So
unquesti0nel. Under our paternal care !,
from mere handill, he grew 10 be nigh.
q host. lie came 10 ~ 4 beaihen-we
made him christian. Idle, vicious. savage
Ia his OIL. cuuntry. III ours he became IN.
dustrious, gentIe, civilized. Lei hls hi,tu.
~ a. Save De compared hereafter with
that which lie viii malr 10. himself as j
irvrinsn. aud by she result oi that cOmpari.
ron, we are willing 10 be Judged. A great
responsibility Is lifted from our shoulders
by MS emancipation, aud wr willingly cOm
mi, las destiny TO lils own hands, hoping
that he NAV prove himself worthy OF the
new position ~ which he has been placed.
A. slave, lie was faithful 70 us--as tree
man. lei u treat him a. friend. Deal
with hin frankly, justly, kindly, and my
word Toe u, ne wIil reelprucate ynur kind
ness. clinglng % his old home, his own
country aud hs iurmer masters. II yua
wisa 10 see ham cou;en,ed, Industrious, USE
ful, aid him in his Efforts Ia elevate him.
self 10 Tie scale Of civilization, and thus
ht him not only 70 enjoy the blessings of
lferdpm, bat 70 appreciate its duties"
neniion these things 10 you, 10 let you
see Una, have held nut one language in
reference TO your people since your free
dOm, and 10 give you the assurance, Il you
nted any, oi my sincerity IN all the adSlcr
,hail uiirr you to-day. Iregard the in,i.
is,i1n yoI have extended 10 Us to-day, To
uticr such advice as honorable alike Ii u
and to yourselves. It's a fit answer, and
strong rebuke, TO thnse who 80 persls.
tenily mlsrepresent the feelings of the
whites and tue blacks Of the South towards
zach other. II is honorable to Us, d. II
shows that YOU look upnn US as friends /;
friends with whom YOU wish to act aud
i,un, whom yul are wiling 70 seek cuan.
EEL. Ii is honorable 10 you, as II proves
that you cherish no III will towards your
ivrlncr masters. that yuu coniide 10 their
honesil, aud that you look upon them as
,our natural and lne.long friends. Your
own orator Of the day, wbo has just aldres.
III you. has spoken wisely aud kindly on
this tupic. and the advice he has given you
approve ol heartily. Why should we not
Le friends Are you not Southern men.
ss we are I Is not this your home as well
a. oursf Does not that glorious Southern
sun above Us shine alike for both Of Us I Did
not this soil give birth Ia all OF usf And
will we moi All alike. when our troubles and