The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1867-01-23

fearful contest, that there was but
one thing now left to us-wc had
but to goto our homes, go to work,
and restore our country to law and
order, and, if possible: to bring her
back to peace, prosperity and
happiness. This is my present
determination, and [ shall spare
no effort to accomplish it. 1t is
true, that some Of the great and
grand principles which have here,
t0forc directed and controlled this
great Government under which
we live, have been jostled from
their track-way, and have gone
down forever in the fearful contest:
but the President Of the United
States has given us his word-hc
has pledged it to the whole country
-hc has made this sacred and
solemn pledge before the civilized
worId-that it is his untaltering
and mdying determination to
restore the Republic, aS near as
possible. to her ancient simplicity
and parity. in this. he shall have
my ungrudging and most cordial
support.
When this grand and terrific
revolution, from which we are
just emerging, was inauglTatcd, |
was not in political life; but when
my State passed her ordinance OF
secession and called upon her sons
to rally beneath her flag and de-
fcnd her, we went forth and did
all we could to prevent the pre-
sent awful condition Of things,
We fought not to destroy the
North; we fought not to pcrpetu-
ate slavery; we fought for self
government; we fought for the
independence and separate nation
ality Of the South we fought for
Southern genius. Southern civiliza-
ton and Southern society. These
were the high andnoblc sentiments
which moved the grand masses OF
my countrymcn: and which made
them Irresistible upon 50 many
hard-fought and we'll contested
fields. That we have failed in the
heroic effort, is no argument that
our cause was unjust and that we
were wrong. When the Govern
mcnt Of the Unitcd States was
founded and organized by the
adoption and ratification Of the
Constitution which unitcS and
binds together the different States
Of the Union, South Carolina
voluntarily acccdcd to that instru-
mcnt. What. | ask, was the great
end and aim Of the patriots OF the
Revolution and the fathers Of the
republic. as set forth in the pre-
ambIc to the Constitution, when
they founded and organized the
Government? Was it not to form
Il more perfect Union, establish
Justice, insure domestic tranquility
provide for the common defence:
promote the general welfare, and
secure the blessings Of liberty to
ourselves and Our poStcmty? As
long as the Government Was ad-
ministcrcd upon these high and
holy principles, proclaim and
maintain that no State upon the
broad continent Of America did
more for the honor, the glory and
undying fame Of the republic, than
! did South Carolina. There is not
4 page Of her history in which the
names Of her sons are not intimate,
| lv interwovcd for their splendid
deeds and noble example, either in
the State or Federal councils, OF
upon the dark and bloody fields OF
! battle. 1t was not until 1860
| when the Government was about
! to pass out Of the hands Of those
who had administered her with
equity and JUSTICE into the hands
Of those who had sworn eternal
! bitter and undying hate to the
South, who had openly proclaimed
| that the Constitution OF ourfathcr>
was "a covenant with hcll,' that
South Carolina, believing hc1
rights in the Union were insecure
convolzcd her sons and passed hen
ordinance Of secession. What,
ask, was the ordinanceof secession:
1t was an expression, on the part
of the people Of the State: Of then
,.;.L ond Jn.irc 10 npacrahlV with