The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-25
Ex-Governor f. w. Plclkens.

Ex-Governor Pickens, OF South Carolina sent the
following letter IN response to an invitation 70 ad-
dress O democratic meeting In Laurensville:-
am satisfied II the people were to meet and agree
among themselves upon some plan OF fair and rea-
sonable settlement OF debts among each other IL
would save much Ill feeling, and really be bet
ter for the creditor rs well as the debtor 1t was
common war, in which we all engaged with enthu:
siasm, and all Ia lost and we ought now TO try and
settle with each other all old debts BY liberal CON-
promise. II freed through the courts by legal
vded with the lawyers, clerks and general costs OF
suit In nine cases out Of ten the land 10 the only
thing left e pay with The prices for
tempted to DO collected. who then, ID benefited By
such process It really is no benent to q man 70
except attorneys, sheriffs. clerks ana constabes In
any general compromise that may be made there
be great wrong but iii are forced % snS %ay
by legal process then there must be universal rum
Now too. when the radicals are about TO naugurats
and, what is worse, vile white skunks, who have
betrayed their race and are merely trying 70 plumber
The duty but the direct Interest Of every one Who
feels for his State TO cordially agree with his neigh
Dor upon some principle Of compromise or iesvs
everything to arbitration made by three four men.
suppose you have seen the principle agreed upon
by the mass meeting at Edgeneld, sale day, In April
last. prepared the report and resolutions which
were unanimously adopted. ana the people are. for
the most part making settlements upon these prin-
cpies agreed upon by the people Of the district. II
bring In verdcts upon this basis generally
The upper districts win be nrst TO move for
the desolation OF the war was not 30 great upon
them, because they were not so much ravaged and
because they had more white population, and wnef-
ever there are more whites there will be more aboa
and more productions. We never can be rich In ouI
dav aud generation; but what we need 10 album,
dance OF provisions We are too poor now to feed
prise because we have no provisions to spare. II
we had an abundant provision crop we would AZ
least be independent. and would invite immigration
oil white labor; but, as is VIC have no means u
~ feed ourselves. We could not retain foreign
white labor II we had II, unless we had more cs(
te and sheep for white labor requires milk and cat
Tie and mutton and beef And mutton and beef ara
lands, than hogs are, and far healthy. The freS
thing TO be done, then. by the upper districts IN To
RAISE more provisions and less land In cotton Their
we can make provision for white immigration
have q Just and pure government think we could
advance. II we settle our debts aud plant Iese
cotton and raise bteadstuffs, cattle and sheen.
and have less ambition for wealth, we win ne \
our slaves Is nothing compared with the loss OF
character integrity and manliness. I at one time
owned I'VE hundred and sixty-seven, and, as God n
my Judge, It1ouid not hare them back as then mere
nave been relieved OF them by violence and brute
force. Ihe care driefv and responsibility that 90
pressed ne ~ relation 10 them toc reel relieped or
true the degradation and ruin OF my State are con-
slant sources OF pain TO me- particularly when know,
WIN h,eh commanding craftsmanship In 1863 at the
lead OF AFFAIRS the result would have been dfYerene
10 our country. We now have nothing left but to
pear, win christian resignation, our fate: at least
such ~ the case with those as old as am There 10
some nope, l suppose, OF a change in the govern.
Inent from the election 10 November next TRUST
may be, aud that God, Ia his mercy, will still pre-
serve us much or the conservative principle OF con
stitutiona government.