The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1868-10-14
Speech of Hon. EllisonS. Keitt.

a Practical Fieao OF the Hotlt1'
cal Situation-The Tone and
Temper of the South-Efects o.
Radical Policy on the National
Interests Of the Country-Con'
dition of South Carolina Under
.Nsqfo Rule-FSnaneial State o.
the Gouernment-A Timely Warn
ming.
s. We publish below the eloquent
speech of the Hon Ellison S. Keitt
before the Young Mems Democra-
tic Union Club of this city. Col.
Keitt is a South Carolina planter
He comes from among the people
of the South. He is a represen-
tative man of the highest class OF
educated Southern gentlemen. He
is honorable in every impulse OF
his nature, and frank IN every
word be ntters. Hisfacts are ire
futable and his arguments un-
answerable. His style is ornate
enough to delight young readers,
and solid enough to fix the deepest
interest of old readers. We COM
mepd his admirable effort to all
ciasses. Theywill find in it light
and instruction to direct the foot
steps Of inquiry in this dark hour
of public trouble -Neao York Re
ord and Vindicator.
Mr.. President and Citizens of
New York ] am a stranger here
in your midst, this being my first
visit to the North. I am 8 plain
and practical planter from far away
down South, but little accustomed
to public speaking; yet I am glad
an occasion has presented itself to
me to say a few words to the
people of this great city and State.
Hsving heard dmuch in times past of
the Northern people, I determined
as Icould leave my plantation this
SIMMER for a short time, to visit
The North and mingle with the
people, and see, hear, and learn
what / could of their feelings and
sentiments, and at the same time
to give them a frank and candid
Statement of our condition and
hopes, lam pleased to say that l
have eonversed freely with gentle
men Of every shade of political
opinion since I have been here,
and that i have been kindly re-
ceived by all. (Applause.) lfthe
!, people of the North understood
the real sentiment and condition
of the mass of the Southern people,
there would be no difficulty what
ever in setting and readjusting in
all its parts the great problem now
before us for solution. If there
was greater commingling of the
masses Of the people, and less heed
szgisen stozpolitical tricksters, who
for pelf and self and power, spend
their time peddling out seeds OF
iissension, it would rebound to the
welfare of both sections. Gap
spla1se9 When the late great war,
from which I trust our country
will soon successfully emerge, was
inaugurated Twas not in political
life; but when my State passed
her ordinance Of secession and
called upon her sons to rally be-
meath her flag and defend her, we
went forth, and We heard the first
and the last gun Of the revolution
fired Applause.) In the great
contest we fought not to destroy
the North, we fought not to over
throw any of your institutions, we
fought not to interfere in your
domestic affairs, we fought for self
government, we fought for the
independence and separate nation
atty of our own native land; we
foughtfor Southern genius, civlli-
, zation and society we fought tor
.sour homes and iresides, affairs, and
Z temples, and the graves of on our
buried sires. loud applause.) We
fought for the preservation OF
those great and grand principles