Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1867-12-04
[From the NeW York Erpres'.]

This paper has always maintained that the
governments of this country, as we'll National
as State, are white mems governments. Our
fellow citizens of the Southern States have
grievously erred in rebelling against the es.
tablished government Of the country. and
grieyously have they been punished for their
error. It is quite too much to add to the
punishment bs subjecting them to the govern.
ment and political control of the negro race !;
we protest against it, and we say that every
white man who does not unite in this protest
is false to his blood. In vindicaton of this
view we give place to the following letter
from an old Wbig, addressed to the late rati-
6cation meeting. He has touched The true
note-the negro is to be protected by ta1o IN att
his essential rights, but shall not be admitted
to the governing class:
LETTER FROM HON. HIRAM KETCuUM.
20 WILLIAM STREET, Oct. %, 1867.
Douglas Taylor, Esq, Chairman Of the Com
mittee Of Arrangements, DC: 49,.
DEAR SIR: / ara honored by an invitation
of your committee to address the Democracy
of New York at the grand Democratic jubi..
lee and ratification meeting on the 3lst OF
October instant. l hope that meeting may
prove iuoilee of the whole people of the
ccity Of New York, and Of all the citizens Of
other States who may happen to be present
in the city at that time.
I have read with high qualification the
proceedings of the nominating convention,
which the meeting will be asked to ratify.
These proceedings were dignifed, intelligent,
and highly patriotic I rejoice to know that
they have been published in pamphlet form,
and hope that they may have wide circulation
throughout the State and the whole country.
The utterances of that body, and the distin-
guished speakers who addressed it, are wor-
thy of the State of New York.
All good citizens should unite in putting
down the party, now having theascendancy in
Congress, which dares to act outside and re.
gardless of fundamental law, embodied law,
embodied in the Constitution of the United
States. What bond have we, as q people,
bnt the Constitution and what security for
liberty for US and our children can there be
when q political party, happening to be in
majority in Congress, shall be allowed to dis
pcnse with the restrsints and obligations of
the Constitution What right has such q
party to be called Union party, when it
breaks the rcry bond Of Union?
Besides, there is question Of deep interest
involved, incidentally, in the expression of
popular opinion to be made at the ensuing
election. Shall the descendants of the Afri-
can race among US, recently emerged from q
state of bondage, be admitted to the govern
ing class? object not to their freedom, to
their education, and to their being protected
in thei. essential rights of life, liberty, and
property; but to admit them to the govern
ing class / do object for in all past time the
negro race have proved themselves unfit to
govern States or communities. The govern
ment of this country, and Of all the States OF
which it is composed, have hitherto been gov.
errments of white men; and in my juag-
ment, it is better for the preservation of lib
erty to all races in this country that the'gov-
erning class should remain as it was in the
time of our fathers.
These are views which should take great
pleasure in eucidating and enforcing could l
comply with your polite invitation to be pres.
ent and address The meeting; but absence
from the city will deny me the pleasure of
uniting in the great popular demonstration.
am, very respectfully, your fellow-citizen,
HIRAM KETCHUM.