The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1867-04-03

Wade Hampton at the lreedmen's mass
meeting in Columbia, South Carolina
MY FRIENDs-You have requested
me to give you few words Of advice
to day, and i accept the invitation In
the same kind spirit with which it was
given. There have been few incidents
Of public character that have graft
fed me more than this mark of conf
dence 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 our position, no loop on which
to hang possible misconstruction as
to our views, and that is the aboiitlon
of slavery. = The deed has
been done, and I, for one, do honestly
declare that never wish to see it re-
voked. Nordo believe that the peo-
pie of the South would now remand
the negro to slavery, if they had the
power to do so unquestioned. Under
our patcrnal care from mere handful
he grew to a mighty host, He came
to us a heathen--we made him Chris
tian. Idle, vicious, savage in. his own
country, in ours he became industri-
Gus, gentle, civilized. Let his history
as slave be compared hereafter with
that which he will make for himself as
freedman, and by the result of that
comparison we are willing to be judged.
A great responsibility is lifted from our
shoulders by his emancipation, and we
willingly commit his destiny to his own
hands, hoping that he may prove him
self worthy of the new position in
which no has boon placed. As slave,
he was faithful to us; as freedman,
let us treat him as friend Deal with
him frankly, justly, and, my word for
it, he will reciprocate your kindness,
clinging to his old home, his own
country, and his former master. If
you wish to see him contented, INDUS
trious, useful, aid him in his efforts to
elevate himself in the scale of civiliza-
ton, and thus fit him not only to enjoy
the blessings of freedom, but to APP
preciate its duties.
Your own orator of the day who
has just addressed you, has spoken
wisely and kindly on this topic and
the advice he has given you approve
of heartily. Why should we not be
friends ? Are you not Southern men,
as we are2 Does not the Southern
sun above us shine alike for both of
usp Did not this soil give birth to
all of us? And will we not all alike,
when our troubles and trials are over,
sleep in that same soil in which we
first drew breath? / see before me
q banner on which is inscribed sunited
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 oppress-
ed, you will suffer; if we are ruined,
you will be destroyed. Your prosper
ity depends entirely on that of your
country, and whatever fate awaits the
white people of the South will be yours.
Now let us consider for a few mo-
ments the subject which has brought
you together to-day, the military bill
just passed by Congress. You must
bear in mind that a great many per-
sons, amongst whom is the President
of the United States, think that this
bills unconstitutional that Congress
had no authority to pass it. Now the
only way by which that question can
be settled, is by a decision of the SUI
preme Court of the United States.
The Court will decide the bill either
constitutional or unconstitutional. If
constitutional, you will, by it, all be
n - 4e--~I~ ua-., -.-;Ii nor. vote .
Whom will you select to make the
new laws, which are to govern the
State Will you choose men who are
gnorant of all laval sections of
your government Will you place
n office these strangers who have
locked here to plumber what little is
eft to us T? Or will you trust the men
whom you have lived hereto
ore-amongst whom you must al
ways live? 1t seems to ne that this 6
after course would be the wisest, for
s it is to the interest of the Southern !,
7hites to make the blacks enlightened,
prosperous and contented, they would
urely do all in their power to secure {
hese objects. / do not tell you to i
rust to professions of friendship alone,
neither they come from the Southern
ian or the Northern. But what / {
SIX you to do, what l have a right to {
SIX of you is, that as we profess to !
e you. friends, you will give us the
pportunity of showing by actions,
neither we are sincere or not.
If we deceive you, then turn to the t
'orth and see if you can find better
lends there. have no fears of the
ssult; for with us not only does hui
anity dictate kind treatment, honest
ealing, just laws for the colored popu- e
tion, but self-interest demands from =
J the same course A stronger pre-.
dice has always existed at the North L
yainst your people than here, and it cl
lists STILL If the bill goes into oper- O.
ion, you will first of all have to vote ri
I members of State Convention !.
v" JOu1 Ohu opodhCl, W HuOoC Tt
arks on this point listened with a.
easure and interest, has given you kC
und and practical advice Select the 70
en- whom you know to be honest and %
and who are identified :,
th the State. ~
You ask counsel of me. / have :,
ven it, fully, frankly, sincerely. No 8
rsonal motives can possibly sway In
Q, for l am no longer citizen of the wi
lited States or of South Carolina.
he bill which gives the right of suff- :.
ge to you DISTINGUISHES me. / have Tic
t even home here, for my home, oil
d the homes of all who love my da
me, have been laid in ashes. / have bu
political rights. I have nothing ~
bind me to this ruined land, but the vi
,mories of the past, the affection l an
erish for its people, and the graves eq
my kindred These ties, however,
, strong enough 10 keep alive in my G.
art warm interest in my State, and 90
2 4 1n