The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-08-29


J Office on which am about to enter-so help me
h God II And any person who shall falsely take the
said oath shall be guilty OF perjury, and on con,
vcton in addition to the penalties now prescribed
for that offence, shall be deprived of his Office, and
rendered incapable Of ever after holding any Office
! or place under the United States"
| Is representation in Congress so very desirable,
that we should send men there who can take that
sented longer? Can the people of the State trust
those who could or who would take it2 For tho
honor OF our State, should prefer that she should
not be represented in the halls Of Congress until
her delegates can enter them as free men, repro
senting sovereign State, with oil her dignity,
equality and rights unimpaired." When that day
comes, there may q restoration of the Union in
fact, ss we'll as in theory; when North and South,
forgving the past, even if they cannot forget it,
may meet as equals on some common ground.
both can be recognized and respected But until
that day does come, in the words of Patrick Henry,
"Gentlemen may cry peace peacel but there is
no peace |"
IT is scarcely necessary for me to say that, en-,
tentaining the views have expressed, think it
far preferable the State should remain in its pref
ent condition, under military rule, than that it
should give its sanction to measures which We be-
lieye to be illegal, unconstitutional and ruinous.
It is my honest and firm belief that the voluntary
acceptance Of these measures by our people would
surely bring, not only to tho South, but to the
whole country, evils far greater than any we have
yet suffered. The North, flushed with success,
and drunk with power, may, not be able to realize
this fact but as surely as the South falls victim
to irresponsible and unlicensed power, 80 surely
will the North lose its liberties Ruin to the South
will react on the North, and If we are crushed to
the dust, the Northern people will see but the
foreshadowing Of their own certain doom. Recog-
nze, as an established principle the right OF any
political party. that may be In the ascendancy
to fix upon all who differ with them laws unau-
thorized by the Constitution Of the United States
and we shall begin that downward career which
will lead steadily through confusion, anarchy and
blood, to the certain overthrow of republican insti
tutions and free government. Believing this,
regard it as the duty OF every man. in the exercise
of the right accorded to all by these military bills
to oppose their adoption by all lawful means AS
pressing either assent or dissent on this question,
I advise them, earnestly, to record the latter as
fully and solemnly as possible Let every man
register and cast his vote against the convention,
since the question will be made on that issue.
These. gentlemen are the conclusions to
anxious consideration OF those important
matters soon to be submitted to the people
Of thu State" They have been laid before
you at greater length than I intended, but it
seemed to me best to let you have my premises,
as well as my conclusions, in order that you might
Judge Of the correctness of both. I can only say
that have discussed this momentous question
with the single desire to arrive at tho TRUTH and
nope that il has st least been discussed in tenn
perate and dispassioQate spirit. Let me bring
your consideration, and shall tax your patience
You say, truly, that I, as well as yourselves,
shave hoped and striyen for entire harmony OF
action among our Esople." 1t has been my most
ss it has been my constant effort to
sllay excitement and to counsel obedience to tho
laws. This has been the prevailing sentiment
among our people, and il it fails Of its object, i;
will not be our fault.
As Il is OF tho last consequence to maintain the
same amicable relations which have heretofore ex-
listed between the whites snd the blacks, l cannot
too strongly reitsrate my counsel, that all classes
should cultiyate harmony and exercise forbear-
ance. Let our people remember that the negroes
have, as a general rule, behaved admirably, and
that thoy are in no maEner responsible for the
present condition Of affairs. Should thoy in the
future, be misled by wicked or designing men, let
us consider how ignor:nt they necessarily are, and
let us, only the more, try to convince them that we
perfect justice, and thus show that you wish
TO prpmote ttheir 3dyaneement ana e9light-
eminent, Do this, spd the negroes Will not only
learn to trust you, but they will soon appreciate
them far better than they can do without us.
On late publiS occasion. where many Of you
were present, expressed my perfect Willingness
to sac impartial s1frage established at the South
and believe that this opinion is entertained, not
only by large majority Of tho intelligent and re-
the blacks. depreease universal suffrage, not
only on general principles, but especially in the
case before I'd, because I deny the right Of Con-
gress to prescribe tho rules Of citizenship in the
a negro is hot . citizen Of the United
States, and Congress cannot reverse That
decision by an Act. The States, however,
are competent to confer citizenship on
the negro, and think it is the part of wisdom
that such action sheuld be tskan by the Southern
States. We have recognized the freedom OF tho
blacks, and have placed this fact beyond all prob
ability Of doubt denial or recall Let us recog-
nize in the same frank manner and as fully, Their
political tifats sIse FpF myself sfntss dan,od thai
by our State, comforting the elective franchise on
the negso, on precisely the same terms as it is to
be exercised by the white man, guarding against
the abuse Of this privilege by establishing slight
educational sn4 Hr4Refsy qualification soF at
have thus, gentlemen, endeavored to comply,
as fully as possible, with tho request conveyed in
your letter. A sense Of duty to the State,
and an eminent desire to show my respect
to ny fellow-citizens, from whom ! have rs,
dsnce, are the only motives which could have m
duced me TO take any part in public affairs. II the
crude views thrown out for your consideration
are instrumental in arousing any one TO q sense Of
the slightest benefit to those who have called for
them, they will have accomplished their ends.
Thanking you again for the honor you have done
me by asking counsel Of me, and praying that our
efforts to aRe cur bsloved state from ruin may he
successful, am; with great respect and esteem,
'''' l''AN 'N WADE HAMPTON.
CyLuMB1A, August 2, 1867.
To NJ 'ssrs. b. W. Ray, ". n. Talley, j. P.
Thomas, Is, n, Law, and others.