The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-09-28
General Wade Hampton on the Situation.

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The following letter, addressed by General
Hampton to the editor of the Southern Home,
is published in that paper in its issue OF the
l9thi
49, COLUMBIA, September g. 1871.
1y Dear Sir: The Southern Home OF the 9th
instant. containing your editorial on the policy
to be pursued by the Southern States IN refer
ence to the next National Democratic Conven-
tion, reached me day or two ago. and along
with it the letterin which you we're kind enough
to ask nv opinion on this question. Though 1
cannot flatter myself that any opinions l may
entertain can have the weight your psrtiality
would induce you to attach to them, most
cheerfully comply with the request contained
in your letter, because it is only by consultation
and discussion among ourselves that We can
hope to act judiciously and harmoniously.
It would perhaps be sufficient to say that l
concur fully in the views you have expressed,
as TO the impropriety of the South taking any
part in the approaching Convention; but, in
Difference to your wishes, give briefly the rea-
sons which induced this conviction in my mind:
LIST. The Southern Delegates in q National
Convention could exercise no influence IN sha-
ping the policy, making up the issues, or selec-
ting the candidates for the next contest, with
out seriously injuring the prospect Of Demo
cratic triumph. That this result would inevi-
tably be the case is proven by the result OF the
last Democratic Convention, where the very
presence of Southerners was used to prejudice
the action and to defeat the candidates OF our
party: -, 49,.
with propriety exert any influence in the Con
yention, while their mere attendance IN 1t might
result in infinite mischief to the Democratic
party, it is surely the part of wisdom to refrain
from participating in the deliberations OF the
Convention.
Srd The Northern Democracy will have to
hear the burthen of the fight in the next Presi-
Dental contest, and it is only right they should
choose the field and select the standard bearers.
These. in brief, are the reasons, in conJunc-
tion with those you have already so ably ad-
vanced. that have convinced me that our true
uolicy is to abstain altogether from all partlci-
nation in the next National Democratic Con-
yention. Of course, in pursuing this policy,
we should take care to- have our conduct ana
motives fully understood by our Northern
friends. We should say to them, that we are
sctuated solely by the desire to promote the
sttccess of Democratic principles and Demo-
cratic candidates; that we wish to leave them
free TO act rs the best interests of our party de-
mand: and that we pledge them in the contest
all the aid we can give, only asking them to
give us good platform, and as acceptable can
didates, as they can. When the platform is
announced, and the candidates selected, the
Democracy of the South can ratify, the action
of the National Convention, and they can use
eyery effort to secure the success of the party !;
for on its success depends the existence OF the
Southern States. ;.
If our people concur in this policy, arrange
ments should be made i'll each State to carry 1t
out fully and efcctually. Should they not con-
cur, we must, in any event, act in perfect ac-
cord and with entire harmony.
Too much is at stake for us to differ amongst
ourselves and for one am willing TO yled my
will tend to save the South from ruin.
lam very respectfully and truly yours,
WADE HAMPTON:
To General n. RI. HILL