Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-12
Wads Hampton on ths situation


Gen. Wade Hampton, at recen
meeting of the Democratic Club Of Rich
land District, Is. CO. delivered the fol
lowing address, which will be read BY
our readers with unmingled satisfaction
as expressive of the distinguished Gen
erals siews of the political situation
He said: t'f' ~ iN
FELLOW CITIZENS OF RIoHLASD: Wher
the gentleman (who so admirably hllec
nv position as Chairman OF the Execu
tive Committee, during my necessary
absence) requested me to be present on
this pleasing occasion, accepted the ~
yitation, not expecting to be called upon
to deliver a public address. But, as
many of you know, during yeur expert
ence of four years with me, when l was
not prepared for fight, gave the best
| could. So in this instance, l shall do
the best can. Although absent from
the State for length of time, have
watched your proceedings with keen in
terest, aud have been highly gratitled. 4
claim that we have rights in the Union,
and that when we laid down our arms,
il was with the understanding that we
were to be re-admitted to the Union with
all our rights, dignity and equality I'M
impaired. Mr.. Lincoln so declared, and
Mr.. Seward so stated in his foreign dis
patches. was willing to see the Union
restored, and that when our States we're
restored, our people would endeayor TO
forgive, if not forget. the past But !
fear that many Of our people were too
ready to yield concessions They not
only met the Radical party half way, but
went still further. Hope that the dele
gates sent to the National Democratic
Nominating Convention, to meet in New
York in July next, will see that the
rights of the State are fully upheld. |
think heaction Of your Convention was
consistent and polite. We should 90
with the Democratic party if they advo-
cate State rights. ,,ns..ssa~
i recently met two gentlemen from
parishes in Louisiana, which contained
large colored msjorities, who stated that
the colored people had been properly In
formed of the position they occupied,
and the consequence was that, in one of
those parishes, there we're 500 majority
for the Democrats, and in the other, 600
Let the colored man Be told God s truth
that If be expects TO escape the fate OF
the Indian, he should 20 in with the
Democratic or Conservative party.
Nearly a year ago, by special request, |
addressed the colored people, at a meet
ing in this town, and told them that be-
lieyed all these matters were unconstitu-
tional and would be wiped out / told
them that was willing to extend to them
an educational and property qualitcs-
ton. The colored men have not, IT IS
,rue. carried out the views they then ex
pressed-ihey would not meet US half
way. Many have been led of. Now,
when the Democratic party is getting into
the aseendancy at the North, and will
shortly be in power, we could turn our
backs upon the unfortunate eolored men,
and tell them we would have nothing to
do with them; but that should not bethe
case. This matter should be settled by
the Democratic nominating convention,
to meet in New York. Ii is probable
that the question relative to suffrage will
be referred 70 the States. 10 conclusion,
i will Only say that did sot expect to
address You to-day, but only hoped to see
nv old friends and fellow citizens, and
that Forrest in Tennessee. and Gordon
In Georgia, are pushing the matter, and
are very ssnguine of success.
Religion is as necessary TO reason as
reason is TO religion.