The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-08-13
The Democratic Platform the Work of
Rebels

! zen. w ade Hampton IS well known as
one OF the most bitter and unrepenting OF
rebels. Yet he was one of the lions OF
Tammany Convention, and in recent
speech at Charleston, showing him as
warmly devoted to the Lost Cause as
ever he made this revelation of the part
which he took in constructing the Demo
cratic platform:
AS it was my good fortune to be on
the committee which framed this instru-
ment, it may be interesting to YOU, per-
haps, to learn the details by which it was
perfected, and the views of those who
made it. As you are aware, the Com
mittee on Resolutions consisted of one
member from each State. On assembling
it was found that very great difference
of OPT lion existed. Among other resolu-
lions offered were some declaring the right
Of suffrage belonged to the States, and
this was announced to be good Democratic
doctrine. / agreed to the proposition,
but at the same time said that it seemed
to me they had omitted one very vital
point, which was to declare to what
States the doctrine applied. | thought
1T was necessary 70 guard and limit that
declaration, and to that end that we might
know at what time we could go back, and
say who were the citizens of the States,
asked that they would declare that these
questions belonged to the States under
their cOnstltIonS up to the year 1865
Gentlemen were there from the North,
South, East and West, and by all we were
met with extreme cordiality, They said
they were willing to give us everything
we desired; but we of the South must
remember that they had great fight to
make. and At e0ould not be policy to pttce
upon that platform that which would en-
gender prejudice at the North They,
however, pledged themselves to DO all in
their power to relieve the Southern States
and restore to as the Constitution as 1t had
existed. As welwere met ina kindly spirit,
| could not but reciprocate it. l 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 South
ern delegates would do the same, and
would accept the resolutions offered by
Hon. Mr.. Bayard, the Senator fromDeia-
ware, which declared that the right Of
suff age belonged to the States. [ said
| would take the resolutions if they would
allow me to add but three words, which
you will find embodied in the platform
I added this ind zee declure that the
Reconstruction acts are revolutionary,
unconstitutional und c0id. :" Immense
cheering.) When proposed that, every
single member of the Committeeman
the warmest men in it were the 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 they will show us remedy for
our misfortune in their own good time,
for which [ dn perfectly willing to wait
Such Is the history of our platform, and
such we're the motives which governed
the Committee in its formation. As the
repre-. entative of South Carolina on that
Committee, present that platform to
you in the earnest hope that it will meet
ypIr