The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-01-26
wade Hampton ON tho Crisis.

The following is the concluding portion
Of tho speech Of General Wade Hampton,
delivered before the "Soldiers' Assooia-
ton" at Walhalla, s. O., September 22d
"I have placed before you the record
of the South and that Of the North, Let
tho world decide which is entitled to hon
or-which TO shame. ] have drawn the
dark e%oloYs, but alasl in too true ones,
the condition Of our country, and / now
turn to the discussion what should bo our
policy. In the anomalous condition in
which We are placed, 1t is q matter OF
great difficulty to mark out the proper
course for us to pursue, but there are
certain cardinal principles of which we
should nevor lose sight. The first OF
these is, that as We accepted the terms of
Eered by the North, in good faith, we are
bound by every dictate of honor to abide
by them fully and honestly. They are
none the less binding on Us because the
dominant and Inscriptions party at the
North refuse to accord TO us our just
rightsl Let rs, at least, prove ourselves
worthy Of the rights we claim let us set
an example Of good faith, and we can
then appeal with double effect TO the JUS.
tice and ~magnanimity Of the North,
These virtues I would fain hope, are
not totally extinct among that people, and
there are brave men there who are bat
Ting for justice, for constitutional liberty,
for the equality of all the States, and for
the rights of the South. The only hope,
not alone for the South, but for freedom
Itself, on this continentl lies in the success OF
this party. We are their natural allies,
and l would sacrifice much, where honor
and principle are not invaded, aud then !
would not yield . jot or title, to strength
en- their hands in the great contest,
which is soon to decide the fate Of consti-
tutional Liberty and Republican Institu-
tons of the United States. The Presi-
dent Of the United States has lent the
great influence which his high position,
his strong intellect, his firm purpose, and
his indomitable will, give, to this new
conservative party, and TO his support
every Southern man should rally cordi-
ally.
We may, perhaps, feel he has not gone
to the extent Of his power, or Of our ex-
pectations, in carrying out his policy to
its legitimate ends, but We cannot forget
that he has been the only bulwark to
stand between our unhappy country and
certain, irretrieva5Ie aud everlasting ruin.
But for him the horrors We endured dur.
ling the war would have been far sur.
passed by those Of peace. And though
differing with him in many points, / cheer.
fully accord to him the highest praise for
the brave and patriotic stand he has Ia.
ken in defense of the South and ofthe
Constitution. There is one other point
on which there should be no misunder.
standing as to our position, no loop on
which to hang a possible misconstructiou
IS to our views, and that is the abolition
of slavery. / have already intimated
that the mode by which the North secured
the acquiescence Of the South in the con
summation of this purpose was a breach
of faith on her part.
Ofall the inconsistencies of which The
North has been guilty-and their name il
legion-none is greater than that b.
which she forced the Southern States
while rigidly excluding them from the
Union, to ratifythe Constitutional Amend
ment abolishing slavery, which they
could do legally only as States of tina
Union. But the deed has been done, ant
[, for one, do honestly declare that
never wish to see it revoked. Nor do
believe that the people of the Soutl
would now remand the negro 10 slay
cry if they had the power to do SO un
questioned. Under our paternal care
from q mere handful he grew TO be
mighty host. He came to us heather
we made him q christian. Idle, vicious
savage in his own country; in ours he be
came industrious, gentle, civilized. lie
his history az q slave be compared here
after with that which he will make TO
himself as a freedman, and by the result
of that comparison we are willing to b
Judged. A great responsibility is lifted
from our shoulders by this emancipation
and we willingly commit his destiny to hi
own hands, hoping he may prove himsel
worthy Of the new position in which ht
has been placed. AS a slave he was faith
full 70 us as q freedman let as treat hin
as a friend. Deal with him frankly
justly, kindly, and my word for the vii
reoiprocate your kindness, clinging to hi
old home, his own country and his former
master. If you wish to see him content.
ed, industrious, useful, aid him in his eff
fort to elevate himselfin the scale of oivi
lization, and thus fit him not only to enjoy
the blessings of freedom, but to appreciate
its duties. The essential points, then, il
tLS POlfvy wg gbvuIu pursue, are, Hap
pears to me, these: That all the obliga
tons we have entered into should be full
filed to the letter, keeping our faith 81
clear that not q shadaw of dishonor car
fall upon us; that we should sustain
Mr.. johnson cordially in his policy, Civ
ing our support to that party which rallies
around him; that We should yield full
obedience to the laws Of the land, reserv
ling to ourselves, at the same time, the In
alienable right of freedom of speech and
of opinion; and that, as tothe great ques
ton which SO materially affected our in
~terests, the abolition Of slavery, we should
declare it settled forever. Pursue THU
course steadily; bear with patience anc
dignity those evils which are pressing
heavily on you. Commit yourselves tt
the guidance Of God, and whatever MAJ
be your fate you will be able to face the
future without self-reproach.V
IIbas ---N-- 80
The letter W should be in favor will
the male sex, from the fact that it is The
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