The Van Buren press., 1867-04-12
The Speech Of Gen. Wade Hampton at
\. Columbia. 81. .ai't

r ColumDlS. '.I aftf
The following are some extracts from
the speech delivered by Gen. Wade
Hampton at Columbia:
MY FRrESDs--You have requested me
to give you few words Of advice to-day,
and / accept the invitation in the same
kind spirit which it was given. There
have been few incidents of a public
character that have gratifed me more
than this mark Of confidence from the
colored people of this district, amongst
whom my life has been passed
There is one other point on which there
should be no misunderstanding as to oul
position; no loop on which to hang a
possible misconstruction as 10 our views,
and that is the abolition of slavery. =
The deed has been done, and /, for one,
do honestly declare that l never wish to
see it revoked Nor do ! believe that
the people Of the South would now re-
mand the negro to slavery if they had the
power to do so unquest;oned. Under
our paternal care from mere handful he
grew to be mighty host. He came to
us heathen--we made him Christian
Idle, vicious, savage in his own country,
in ours he became industrious, gentle,
civilized. Let his history as a slave be
compared hereafter with that which he
will make for himself as free man, and
by the result of that comparison we are
willing to be judged. A great response
bilty is lifted from our shoulders by his
emancipation, and we willingly commit
his destiny to his own hands, hoping that
he may prove himself worthy of the new
position in which he has been placed
AS slave, he was faithful to u.s. as a
freeman let us treat him as friend. Deal
with him frankly, justly and kindly; and,
my werd for it, he will reciprocate your
kindness, clinging to his old home, his
own country and his former masters. If
you wish to see him contented, industri-
Gus, useful, aid him in his efforts to Gle.
vate himself in the scale Of civilization,
and thus fit him not only to enjoy the
blessings OF freedom, but to appreciate its
duties.
Your own orator Of the day, who has
just addressed you, has spoken wisely
and kindly on this topic, and the advice
be has given you I approve Of heartily
Why should we not be friends2 Are
you not Southern men, as VIC are? Is
this not your home as well as ours p
Does not the glorious Southern sun above
us shine alike for both Of us2 Did not
this soil give birth to all of usI And
will we not all alike, when our troubles
and trials are over, sleep in that same
soil in which we first drew BREATH Isee
before me banner on which is inscribed
United we stand, divided we fall
That motto is full Of significance and
truth, for your welfare is inseparably
linked with that Of the whites of the
South. If we are unjustly taxed, you
will have to pay your share; if we are
oppressed you will suffer; if we are ruin
ed, you will be destroyed. Your pros
perity depends entirely ON that of your
country, and whatever fate awaits the
white people ofthe South will be yours.
Now let us consider for few moments
the subject which has brought you to-
gether to day, the military bill just pass
ed by Congress. You must bear in mind
that q great many persons, amongst whom
is the President Of the United States,
think that this bill is unconstitutional !:
that Congress had no authority to pass it.
Now the only way by which that question
can be settled, is by decision of the Su.
preme Court of the United States That
court will declare the bill either const-
tutional or unconstitutional, you will, by
it, all be allowed to vote. How will you
vote? Whom will you select to make
the new laws which are to govern the
State? Will you choose men who are
ignorant Of all law-all science of gov
ernment, to make your laws and to frame
your government? Will you place in Of
flee these strangers who have hocked
here to plunder what little 10 left to us
Or will you trust the men amongst whom
you have lived heretofore--amongst
whom you must always live9 1t seems
to me that this latter course would
be the wisest, for as it is to the interest of
the Southern whites to make the blacks
enlightened, prosperous and contented,
they would surely do all in their power
to secure those objects. do not tell
you to trust to professions of friendship
alone, whether they come from the South
crn man or the Northern But what
ask you to do, what / have the right to
ask Of you is, that as we profess to be
your friends, you will give us the oppor-
tunity of showing by our actions, whether
we are sincere or not.
II We deceive you, then turn to the
North, and see If you can find better
friends there. have no fears of the re.
suit; for with us not only does humanity
dictate kind treatment, honest dealing,
just laws for the colored population, but
self interest demands from US the same
course. A stronger prejudice has always
Il Al.