The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-10-25
wade Hampton-A Digaihsd aad Manly
,, Letter
From the Indianapolis Sentinel

From the India apois Sentinel
The following letter from Confederate general
70 a Union general should be read BY every
patriot in the land. II is frank. manly express
zion of opinion by one whose bravery Is unques.
toned whose talents are admitted, and who &C.
cepts the arbitrament Of the sword. His alluslon
"a the INTERPRETATIONS made by corrupt pollti-
clans brands them with deserved infamy. his
statement Of the position OF the people OF tue
South is unquestionaby true. They desire,
above all things, firm. Just peace" They IRE
SoQnize the questions Of slavery and secession as
settled forever by the war;" 1t declares they
Rave purpose, open or concealed, TO agitate
these questions at any future time, and look to
constitutional agencies and peaceful remedies
slope to free us from legislation which we believe
win destroy the South utterlyand irretrievably."
I COLUMBIA, October 5, 1866.
Major General job, A. McClernsnd. Springfield, M:
Dear Sir-Your letter nclosing the pamphlet,
mas lust reached me. and beg to thank you for
your attention in sending the latter, as well as
your polite invitation to address the people in
your State. II would give me very great pleasure
to accept this atterng invi alton, but my services
are imperatively demanded here, where we are
struggling against very heavy odds, though with q
fair prospect Of success. III / could leave home
would certainly visit the great Northwest, IN the
hone that might in some small degree disabuse
your people of the false impression given to them
by Radical misrepresentation OF the purposes,
the Wishes and the desires OF the people OF the
South would strive TO impress upon them that
we desire, above all things, firm, just peace ;
that we recognize the question OF slavery and
secession as settled forever by the war; that we
have no purposes, open or concealed, TO aglsate
these questions at any future time, and that we
look 10 constitutional agencies and peaceful rem
edies alone TO free rs from legislation which we
believe TO be unconstitutional, and which we know
will destroy the South utterly and rretrievably.
We appeal, confidently, to the great conserVa
tive party which is now fighting for the Constitu'
ton. 70 rescue us from the ruin thatis impending
not only over us, but over the whole country. we
ask for peace, justice and the Constitution. we
ask only for the rights held sacred by every
American citizen. We are well nigh powerless
And. If help comes at all. il must come from the
people OF the North. If the South is crushed By
military despotism. the fate OF the North viii b'
sealed for constitutional liberty. Republican In
situations will disappear under the same bloT tina
DESTROYS rs. II is this conviction that makes n
cling so tenaciousy to that great party which
alone offers us safety, and tenders TO us honorable
and equitable terms. IL the candid men OF g.
parties at the North would come to the south auc
see the condition In which we now are; II the.
would acquant themselves with The feelings Q
our people there would no longer be among then
apy doubt, either as TO the absolute necessity TO
q change OF government, or OF the sincerity an
good faith with which our people stand upon tn
platform Of the Democratic party.
Let me urge you, then, TO send some of you
Sneakers here They will meet a cordial we
come, and they can effect great good. For IN
misrepresentatioDs Of myself. TO which you auuds
personally am perfectly Indifferent; but i regrt
them az rejecting injury on our party. ca
only say that have constantly advocated su.
mission to law that have urged our people
bear patiently the frightful evils under which v
groan, in the hope that relief would eeme in tn
success of the Democratic party; and that hav
everywhere conjured my old followers to be
jealous and devoted soldiers in the cause OF peat
as they were in that of war.
have written very hastily, as | am about
leave home, but in perfectfrankness aud sincerit.
This was demanded by your kind letter. Hopli
that have been successful In assuring you oil u
position occupy, and.thanking you again for 20
Very respectfully yours.
WADE HAMPTON.