Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-08-14
Speech Of Gen, Wade Hampton.

We give our readers short extract from
q speech made by this rebel general. at
Charleston, s. c., on the 25th ult. 1t
needs no comment. It clearly shows with
what hopes and purposes the Southern
rebels have been inspired by their particip-
alton in the New York Convention. hy its
platform and candidates. We ask candid
men, who had supposed that the issues OF
the war had settled forever, the heresy Of
secession, and that traitors should be de-
prived Of political power. or the means of
engendering further civil strife, until at
least they had given some signs ofrcpent-
ance. What hope there can be for peace
of the country, in the restoration to power
Of q party whose policy is dictated by men
who boast Of tn cir devotion to the ''lOst
cause" and do not even admit that secass.
ion has proved failure, He must be will
fully blind, who does not see that the sue.
cess Of the Democratic party means re.
newal of war; that the present government
of the Southern States, declared uncOnsti-
tutional. null and void. by the democratic
platform, can never be over turned aud
political power in those States turned over
to such rebels as Wade Hampton, without
intestine crnmmotiOns and bl0odsled to
which the late war would be but bows
play. Hampton says:
II Yield to none in devotion to that
Lost Cause" for which we fought. Never
shall admit that the cause itself f.ilel.
and that the principles which gave it life
were therefore wrong. Never shall brand
the men who o.upheld it so nobly as "rebels'
or "traitOrs" Never shall isnominiOus
ly seek safety or base promotion by das-
tard denial or treaclcrous betrayal Of it {;
but still can accord to those who con.
myself-perfecta aud entire sincerity in fol
lowing the dictates of duty. My recent in-
tercOurse with many Federal soldiers has
convinced me that there are thousands
and tens of thousands of them who occupy
this ground who are fully determined that
therights of all the States shall be pre-.
served inviO!ate. and who are prepared to
defend the Constitution and its guaranteed
at al! hazards. The grand army of demec
racy assembled in Tammany Hall have Of
cred us hOlOrahle terms, and lasting
peace.-The radicals insist on our dish0n.
or. They make desolation and call il
peace. Can We hesitate between the two
parties Is there one true man in the
South who would not prefer to meet defeat
ON the democratic platform rather than to
secure success by placing himself on the
platform of the radicals! No southern
man can stand ON the latter without dishon
Oring himself and disgrac,ng the country
which gave him birth. Look at the other,
and sec how broad. and just. and comprc.
hensive are its principles. and say if it is
not such platform rs we can all stand
the latter without dshonoring himself and
disgracing the country which gave him
birth. Look ut the other, and see how
broad, and just, and comprehensive are it
principles, and say it it is not such plat
form as We eau all stand upon with safet,
and honor.
As it was my guol fortune to be on thu
committee which framed the platform j
may be interesting to you. perhaps to lear,
the details by which it was perfected, ani
the views of those who made it. As yo,
are aware, the committee on resolutions
cOnsstedlOf one member from each State
On assembling t was found that yer,
other resolutions offered were some de
clarng that the right of suffrage belonged
to the States, and this was announced to b.
good democratic doctrine by Hon Mr.. BAY
ard, the Senator from Delaware. said
would take the resolution if they woul,
allow me tn add bnt three words, whicl
YOU will fad embodied in the platform.
added this: "And we declare that the re
construction acts are revolutionary, uncon
stitutiunal and vUid." Gimme nse cheer
ing When proposed that every singl
member of the cumnittee- the warm
est men in it were the men of the North
came forward aud said they would carry i
out to the end. Having thus pledge,
themselves. l feel assured that when th
democratic party come to triumph the,
will show us remedy for our misfortune
in their avn good time, for which an
perfectly willing to wait. Such is the his
Tory of our platform, and such We're til,
motives which governed the committee il
it's formation. As the representative O
South Carolina ON that committed pre-
ssnt IT, at platform to you in the earnes
hope that it will meet your cordial APPROX
al. AS to my own share Of the work per
formed in that committee, can assure m,
fellcw citizens that the only objects fl
which labored were to make it stron
and honest platform, one that would secur
the rights Of the South and protect til
honor Of my State 1t is for you to sa
L., al, IL. c-lH