Wilmington journal., 1867-04-05
interview Bstween Gen. sickIes and Prom
fnent merchants of Charleston.

interview Bstween Gen. sickIes and PRONE
fnent Merchants of Charleston.
Yesterday at one o'clock the following
merchants of this city, W. S. Hastie, An
drew Simonds, George w. Williams, E. w
Marshall, w. G. Whilden, ". T.. Trcnholnl
A. J. Crews, L. Bates, c. L. Durham, ID.
f. Fleming, e. J. Dawson, A. H. Hayden,
/ J. B. Steele, R. S. Bruins, nj. Strauss, E.
Pearson, called upon Gen. Sickles at the
Citadel to pay their respects.
Mr. Hastie introduced the other gentle
men present to Gen. Sicklas, and on their
behalf addressed them as follows:
General: We have called upon you not in
behalf of the citizens generally, but on our
own account to pay our respects to you as
Commanding General of this military Dis
trict If it were simply to express my own
sentiments it would be matter of no diff
Guilty, but as 1 am acting as the exponent
of all the gentlemen present, it has been
thought best to commit their sentiments to
writing, and I take great pleasure in read
ing them to you as follows:
General: We have to congratulate our
selves that one so well known 10 our people
as yourself, should have been appointed to
the command of this Military District
The whole country, sir North and South,
is suffering in its business relations by rea-
sou of the unsettled political stairs Of this
section Of the Union.
1t is our desire, General, and we think
we can speak for the great masses OF our
people, that all dissensions Bhould cease,
and every effort be made to restore peace
and prosperity to our distracted country.
The wealth of 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. 1t is the interests
of the States, North and South that every
laborer, white and colored, should contrib
ute his share to the general prosperity, and
until our political difficulties are settled and
the ten Southern States are represented in
Congress, credit will continue to languish,
and our fields to be but partially cultiya-
ted.
We conceive it OF the utmost Importance
to the people of the United States that the
labor of the South should be fully and i'm
mediately developed.
The production of four million bales Of cot
ton. together with our rice. sugar and tobac-
co, will at once stimulate every channel OF
industry. giving employment TO our mcr~
camille, marine, railroads and manufacto-
ries, and aid in securing the payment Of
the national debt.
No party feeling should exist towards the
Southern States ; we are neither sectional
nor are We of any party; We can mould our
industry to meet any legislation, whether
it be the protection of agriculture, COM
merCe or manufactures.
In conclusion, sir, we would say that
every effort will be made by ourselves and
| friends, and we think by the people at large,
! to sustain our rulers in establishing a rep
resentative Government.
| Gen Sickles replied as follows
Gentlemen It affords mo great satisfac
ton to receive this visit, and to hear the
gratifying sentiments which have been eX-
pressed. [ 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 per-
form. The general interests and prosperity
of North and South Carolina have been
| the object of earnest solicitnde since J. have
/ been in command in this department, and
what have done in this regard in the past,
I will continue to do in the future. The
solution of the present political difficulties
rests with the citizens themselves. The
military authorities will not interfere as
partisans in political movements or organi-
cations. We will endeayor impartially and
fairly to promote the reorganization Of
the civil government in the two States
Ample protection will be given to life, lib
Gritty and property. In conclusion, gentle
men, be assured that / shall always be glad
to hear any expression Of your sentiments,
and to comply with yo1lr suggestions SO far
rs may comport with my sense of duty.