The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-08-28
,you at greater length than I intended,

cluslons, IN order that you might
judge of the correctness Of both.
can only say that I have discussed
this momentous question with the
single desire to arrive at the truth,
and / hope that it has at least besn
discussed in temperate and dispas-
sionate spirit. Let me bring one
other subject, suggested by your let
ter, to your consideration, andI shall
tax your patience no farther.
You say, truly, that I, as well as
yourselves, "have hoped md striven
for entire harmony of action among
our peaple." It has been my most
earnest desire to secure this harmony,
as it has been my constant effort to
allay excitement, and to counsel obe-
dience to the laws. This has been
the prevailing sentiment among our
people, and if it fails of its object, it
will not be our fault.
AS it is of the last consequence to
maintain the same amicable relations
which have heretofore existed between
the whites and the blacks, I cannot
too strongly reiterate my counsel,
that all classes should cultivate har-
mony and exercise forbearance. Let
our people remember that the negroes
have, as q general rule, behaved ad-
mirably, and that they are in no man
ner responsible for the present condi-
ton Of affairs. Should they, in the
future, be misled by wicked or de-
= signing men, let us consider how
ignorant they necessarily are, and let
us, only the more, try to convince
them that we are their best friends.
Deal with them with perfect justice,
and thus show that you wish to pro-
mote their advancement and enlight-
eminent. Do this, and the negroes
will not only learn to trust you, but
they will soon appreciate the fact so
evident to us, that zoe can do aoithom
them fan. better than they can do aoithom
as. -
On a late public occasion, where
many of you were present, I ex-
pressed my perfect willingness to see
impartial suffrage established at the
South, and / believe that this OPT
Mon is entertained, not only by
large majority of the intelligent
and rejecting whites, but also of the
same class among the blacks. I de-
precate universal suffrage, not only
on general principles, but especially
in the case before us, because I deny
the right of Congress to prescribe
the rules Of citizenship in the States.
The Supreme Court has decided that
a negro is not 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 I think
it is the part of wisdom that such ac-
ton should be taken by the Southern
States. We have recognized the free
dom of the blacks, and have placed
this fact beyond all probability of
doubt, denial or recall Let us re-
cognize in the same frank manner,
and as fully, their political rights
also. For myself, I confess that I
am perfectly willing to see constitu-
ton adopted by our State, comforting
the elective franchise on the negro,
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 edu-
cational and property qualification
for all classes.
Il nave CnuS, gentlemen, endeavOr-
ed to comply, as fully as possible,
with the request conveyed in your
letter. A sense of duty to the State,
and an eminent desire to show my
respect to my fellow citizens, from
whom have received so many
marks of kindness and confidence,
are the only motives which could
have induced me to take any part in
public affairs. If the crude views
thrown out for your consideration,
are instrumental in arousing any one
to sense of tho dangers surround
ing us, or if they can be of the
slightest benefit to those who have
called for them, they will have ac-
complished their ends. Thanking
you again for the honor you have
done me in asking counsel of me,
and praying that our efforts to save
our beloved State from ruin may be
successful, I am, with great respect
and esteem, your friend and fellow
citizen, WADE HAMPTON.
COLUMBIA, August 7, 1867.
To Messrs. D. w. RAY, w. II. TAI
LEY, J..P. THOMAS, E. M. LAW, and
others.
HNT