The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-07-18
How the Radicals have Abused Return
ing gLoyalty-GeneralW Wade Hampton

The leading editorial in yesterdays Times
was devoted to animadversions upon General
Wade Hampton. We do not feel called upon
to repel personal assaults upon the character
of this distinguished Southerner; but MS case
suppie5 pertinent illustration OF the effect OF
the Radical policy upon the temper OF the
Southern people. When the war closed, Gene
.ral Hampton was among the first to accept Its
consequences, and to recognize the great
changes it had wrought in the politics OF the
country. Hewas 8 conspicuous representative
OF the intelligence, the honor, the candor, the
Eberality, the chiyairy, in short, all the pest
elements Of the Southern character. He, and
men Like him, we're the natural leaders OF the
Southern people; aud it was ofthe utmost conse-
nuer,cet that their influence should have had
free SCOPE in the restoration OF good feeling;
General Hampton's course was so upr!ght ana
maenanimous, SO superior to sectional feehns
and vulgar prejudlcee, as TO e1tort warm encc-
miums even from the Radical press; l., o9t, ILL., &c
cording TO the representations OF the Times,
he has now become 30 emblttered that ne
volunteers to second General Blair in procuring
redress by military force.
That his feelings and the feelings OF the
whole Southern people have undergone q
change within the last three years, cannot be
disputed. This change is the natural revolt OF
the human mind against illiberality and injus-
tice. We srraign the Republican party for
having bighted the returning kindness Of the
South in its spring time. IT concerned the
pubic welfare that the wounds of the war
should be speedily healed. The admir- bic
temper of the South rendered this an easy task,
II that section had received Jnsf and conside-
rate treatment. The change wrought in the
temper and sentiments OF Wade Hampton is q
specimen Of the changes wrought IN tie minds
OF the whole Soathern people by the fragrant,
scandalous, and persistent violations Of the
constitution by the Republican party: To
prove the magnanimous loyaltS OF the
South in the summer and autumn which
followed the war, We can cite testimony which
the Republicans ought to regard as un::
exceptionable, namely that of General
Grant. We will pass over his written report
to the President made after q tour Of inspec.
ton in the Southern States, and quote single
decisive sentence from his testimony befor
the House Judiciary Committee, about veal
age. "At the close Of the var" said Genera
Grant, ssthere was q very fine feeling mani
tested in the South, and thought we ought
to take advantage Of it as soon as possible
Had This submissive and magnanimous loyalty
been met in corresponding spirit, the coun
trg would have been Immediately tranquil
{. hzed, land have entered at once upon an ers
of harmony. But partisan Congress flung
in ingredients which changed the wine into
vinegar Fearing that the restored South
would act with the Democratic party, the
,Republicars determined to keep the Unior
discovered. We have had three years OF ran
cor and turmoil because the Republicans were
willing to sacrifice the Union and the public
tranquility TO the hope Of party success.