The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1868-10-21
From the indianapolis Sentinel
Wade Hampfon-A Digniied and
DlnnIy Letter.

The following letter from Coateder-
ate General to Union General should
be read by every patriot III the land'
II is q frank, manly expression OF opln-
ion by one whose bravery is unques-
toned, whose talents are admitted, and
who accepts the arbitrament of the
sword. His allusiOn to the mlsrepTe-
sensations made by corrupt politicians
brands them with deserved intamy.
His statement of the position OF the
people of the South is unquestlonably
true. They "desire, above all things, a
firm, lust peace" They recognize the
questions of slavery and secession as
settled forever by the war;" 1t declares
'they have no purpose, open or con-
cealed, to agitate these questions at any
future time, and look to constitutional
agencies and peaceful remedies alone TO
free us from legislation which we be-
lieve will destroy the South utterly
and irretrievably:"
COLUMBIA, October 5, 1868.
Major General John 4. McClcrRdnd,
Springfield, Ill.,:
DEAR SIR-Your letter, inclOsing the
pamphlet, has just reached me, and l
beg to thank you for your attention in
sending the latter, as well as your po-
lite invitation to address the people in
your State. 1t would give me great
pleasure to accept this ilattering invi
tation, but my services are imperatiyely
demanded here, where we are strug-
Cling against very heavy odds, though
with fair prospect of success. If l
could leave home | would certainly
visit the great Northwest, in the hope
that might in some small degree disa-
buse your people of the false impression
given to them by Radical misrepresen-
tatious of the purposes, the wishes and
the desires of the people of the South.
l would strive to impress upon them
that we desire above all things firm,
lust peace; that we recognize the ques
lions of slavery and secession as settled
forever by the war; that we have no
purposes, open or concealed, to agitate
these questions ut any future time, aud
that we look to constitutional agencies
and peaceful remedies alone to free US
from legislation which we believe to be
unconstitutional, and which we know
will destroy the South utterly and ire
trievably.
We appeal, Cor fiden ly, to the great
Conservative party which is now fight |
ing for the Constitution, to rescue us
from the ruin that IS impending, not
only over us, but ever The whole couu-
try. We ask tor peace, justice and the
Constitution. We ask oHly the rights
held sacred by every American citizen.
We are well nigh powerless. Aud, If 1T
comes at all, must come from the people
of the North. If the South is crushed
by military de,potism, tho fate of the
North will be sealed for constitutional
liberty. Republican institutions will
disappear under the same blow that de-
stroys us. 1t is this conviction that
makes us cling So tenaciously to that
great party which alone offers us safety
and tenders to us honorable and equita-
BILE terms. If the candid men of all
parties at the North would come to the |
South and see the condition in which |
we now are; if they would acquaint
themselves with the feelings of our
people, there would no longer be among |
them any doubt, either as to the abso- |
lutte necessity for change of govern
ment, or the sincerity aud good faith !
with which our people stand upon the |
platform of the Democratic party.
Let me urge you, then. to send some
of your speakers here They will meet
a cordial welcome, and they can effect |
great good. For the Misrepresentation
OF myself, to which you allude, person
ally am perfectly Indifferent; but I re-
greet them as rejecting Injury on our
party. can only say that have con-
stantly advocated submission to law.
that l have urged our people to hear ma,
tiently the frigntful evils under which
we groan, in the hope that relief would |
come in the success of the Democratic
party; and that have ercryrhcre con. |
jured my old followers to be as Jealous |
and devoted soldiers in the cause of peace
as they were in that of war
have written very hastily, rs | am
about to leave home, but in perfect
frankness and sincerity. This was de-
manded by your kind letter. Hoping
that have been successful in assuring
you of the position occupy, and thank
ing you again for your letter, | am,
Very respectfully yours,
WADE HAMPTON.