The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-07-25

Ln6 OlY6 prancu VI p5Hce-1 SIco1. uu 90 %
comrade in that battle which we are now fight
ing for constitutional government and liberty.
Tremendous applause.]
yield to none in devotion to that 'Lost
Cause" for which we fought. Never shall 1
admit that the cause itself failed, and that the
principles which gave it life we're therefore
wrong. Never shan brand the men who up
held it 80 nobly as 'rebels" or "traitors." Never
shall ignominiously seek safety or base pro-
motion by dastaroly denial or treacherous be-
trayal Of it. But, still I can accord to those
who conscientiously differ with me what I
claim for myself -perfect'and entire sincerity
in following the dictates Of duty.
My recent intercourse with many Federal
soldiers has convinced me that there are thous-
ands and tens Of thousands Of them who oc-
oupy this ground-who are fully determined
that the rights Of all the States shall be pre-
served inyiolste, and who are prepared to de-
fend the constitution and its guarantees at
ell hazards. They will not allow unconsti-
tutionaIlee eeislation to fix, by means Of military
tyranny, negro dominion in the South. Zap
plause.l They will not consent to see ten
st., s, in time Of profound peace, kept under
the rule Of the bayonet, and they will demand,
as the Southern States have in good faith
accepted and kept the terms offered them,
that they shall take their place in the Union
as equal partners in the great family Of States.
CONTINUED cheering.].
It is due to those soldiers who met us in
New York to declare-and do 30 with great
pleasure-that while all classes received us Of
the South with the greatest kindness and
cordially, our greeting by them who had
lately been arrsyed in battle against us was
marked by the utmost consideration and
delic:cy; and I think express the unani-
nous feeling Of the Southern delegates
when say We we're not only graft
fed, but profoundly touched by the
reception ne met with from the Northern
Democracy, and I know that for this they de-
serve and receive the grateful thanks not only
Of our delegates, but Of the whole people Of the
South. And let the people Of the North rest as
sured that il they wish to see The restoration
Of that Union for which they fought-if they
hope to see the South q willing member Of it
the only means 10 secure these ends is to man.
ifest everywhere the same spirit Of conciiahon,
the same magnanimity, the same kindness, and
the same sense Of justice that governed the
deliberations Of the great Conventions which
have lust been held in New York.
The Grand Army Of Democracy, assembled
in.Tammany Hall, have offered to us honora.
BILE terms and lasting peace. [Applause.1
The Radicals insist on our dishonor. They
make o desolation, and call it peace. Can VIC
hesitate between the two parties LIS there
one true man in the South who would not pre-
fer to meet defeat on the Democratic platform
rather than to secure success by placing him
self on the platform Of the Radicals [Cheer
ing. HNo sonthern man can stnnd on the lat
ter without dshonoring himself and disgracing
the country which gave him birth. Look q
the other, and see how broad, and just, ant
com prehensive are its principles, and say if il
is not such platform as We can all stand upoI
NTH safely and with honor ? Continued ap
plause.]
AS it was my good fortune to be on the com
mittee which framed this instrument it ma.
be interesting to you, perhaps, to learn the
details by which it was perfected, and the ,iewi
Of those who made it.
AS YOU are aware the Committee on Resolu-
tions consisted Of one member from each State
On assembling it was found that a very grea
difference Of opinion existed. Among othel
resolutions offered were some declaring tha
the right of suffrage belonged to the States
and this was announced to be good Democratic
doctrine. agreed to the propositions, but q
the same time said, that it seemed to me they
had omitted one very vital point, which wal
to declare to what States the doctrine applied
I thought it was necessary to guard and limi
that declaration, and to the end that we nigh
know at what Time we could go back and ga.
who we're the citizens Of the States, asked
that they would declare that these questions
belonged to the States under their constitu
tions up to the year 1865. Gentlemen wer'
there from North, South, East ant
West, and by oil we were me
with extreme cordiality. They said the,
were willing to give US every thing we de-
sired; but we of the South must remember that
they had o great fight to make, and it would moi
be policy to place upon that platform thai
which would engender prejudice at the North.
They, however, pledged themselves to do al
in their power to relieve the Southern States
and restore to us the constitution as it had ex-
listed. AS we we're met in such kindly spirit,
I could not but reciprocate it. / knew that
was representing the feelings Of my people
when / did so, and told them that would
withdraw all the resolutions had offered, and
no doubt other Southern delegates would dc
the same, and would accept the resolution!
offered by the Hon. Mr.. Bayard, the sena
tor from Delaware, which declared that
the right of suffrage belonged to the States
I said I would take the resolutions if the.
would allow me to add but three words, whicl
you will find embodied in the platform. add
ed this: "And we declare that the Reconstruc
ton acts are revolutionary, unconstitutiona
and void" Immense cheering.] When pro
posed that every single member of the COM
mittee-and the warmest men in it wore tint
men of the North-came forward and said they
would carry it out to the end. Having thus
pledged themselves, feel assured that when
the Democratic party come TO triumph the!
will show us remedy for our misfortunes II
their own good time, for which am perfect!
willing to wait.
Such is the history Of our platform, and suci