The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-06-15
| it supplied them with texts for editorial.ser-
mons for some time after.

(uc.
| it supplied them with texts for editorial.ser-
mons for some time after.
That is the only political address. delivered
by me in the South, and the third Of my life.
Its views were well discussed North and
South, and, in the main, well received; and,
] while it indicated and declared a better KNOW
! ledge Of Southern politics than ! had previous
iy possessed, and O. corresponding change IN
view and sentiment, I was nowhere, as larsas
know, branded a .'villain'' or a ''hideous fypo-
critic, I" because / confessed my better know
ledge and advocated an anti-Radical view.
The following notice. which appeared 10 q
then Current number Of the Christian Intelll-
gencer, perhaps the most d.gnifed religious
journal in New York, certainly one of the very
best, will give you an idea OF the; esteem "
which both the speaker and his speech were
held where he was intimately known:
EDUCATION AND TIE BALLoT.-Rev. W. ".
Hicks, OF the Lee AveRue reformed Cnqrc9:
Brooklyn, +. D.. Is now In Chsrleston, Sc
wn.tRer he went q few weeks ago. We are glad
to learn that he has experienced great oenedt
from The milder climate Of the south. and hope
soou to be able TO announce his return 10 bis, du-
ties and lators among his beloved people win
We hn1 Ia Tas CHARLESTON NEWS areport of
an address delivered by him in that city on the
E7th instant, at the dedication OF the avery Insti;
tute. This is an institution Tor the education Of
the colored populetlon.. TIE address Is 80 able
and pertinent, SO iu,:. or sage advice and noble
sentiment, that WI regret our limits will not al
low its insertion entire. We extract the closlHg
paragraph5.-Ed.r Int.
How far hat address will warrant your
charge, that on coming South ''professed
ultra Southernism," you are honorable enough
to lake known TO your. readers, l am sure,
after you shall have acquainted yourself with
its ."professions." I think It is due to.trulh
and to my character which you assal, and 10
the whole Southern people who are ''warned
against me" in your paper, That you JUSTLY
your words or retract them.
l6. After an absence oil two months and the
partial restoration OF health, I returned to my
family and people in Brooklyn, and at once
resumed my ministerial duties. In a public
address at a meeting OF welcome, distinctly
declared to ny people the change which had
been wrought in my POLITICAL convictions 10
important directions upona personal acqualnt.
ance with the Southern people, and announced
to them my determination 10 devote my ener-
gies towards a genuine reconstruction on
Christian grounds, and not bythe bitter,hnmA-
iation demanded by the partisan and vindlctEe
government directory. at Washington. This
Sentiment was received with applause, and
that large and influential congregation joined
hands with me in sentiment and labor They
| did not think me a 'hypocrite." They knew
me well. and trusted me with the Characters
tic confidence OF true men. My change Of
| view aud Of front met with some uncourtepus
aniuadversion In the Tribune; but even there
l was not considered a ''hypocrite" aud a
''villain."
II. In a short time, on account of utter
physical prostration. I was compelled to re-
| sign tue pulpit Of Lee Avenue Church, and l
| retired from the active work Of the ministry,
as ! believed, torlife. This was in September,
1868.
is. Friends in Charleston. g. c., now insisted
l. ,,pon onotbor trial oc Southarn clirnafp and in
December, 1868, / set forth for Charleston q
second time, a wreck In body and mind.
There was no plan for the future. / did not
l'come TO plumber or kill, or to ioment dfscord,
or TO deceive anybody. / did not come PRO
fessingn Lutheranism, ultra or diluted. was
not considered a 'scalawag" In The Norths nor
| did /. assume the bypocrilical role of ''ToHdy-
ism" towards the South. I had no introduc-
tons nor endorsements, and never expected
to be called upon for mv.''pedigree." l came,
a brokeE-down brother, with feelings Of ira
ternity, goodwill and confidence towards you
all; and charity, warm, heavenly, tender
| Southern charity In hearts and hands nursel
me back TO life, to health. and to the pulpit
my place and work. That's the whole, clear,
simple story Of my coming South, With all its
ssprOlessions'' and objects.
IS. The proposition was made to me 10 re-
main South and become q citizen. The pros
pect was pleasant. The surroundings were
congenial. Young, ardent, an'l.haVing.. with
restored health, many years t. live, the field
was inviting. The naturalization OF the heart
made the outward decision an easy matter
The fact that I came from the North was not
thought to mai my usefulness or render my
life unhappy in the South. The fact thai I had
been reared q Republican Radical In politics.
and had greatly modified the results of. early
training, was not considered au evidence OF
hypocrisy or vlllany. There was no conceal
ment and no compromise. It was not stipu-
lated that l should hold myself ready to veer,
change about and stultify myself TO accomme-
date any genius OF political ''refortn" that
might arise in South Carolina or elsewhere
speaking 10 the venerable ''body poliLc" in
the voice of Jacob. but Offering food and pro-
lection with Esau's hands! Nothing Of The
sort, l assure you. When ! learned that had
wronged the spirit Of the South, and uttered
words Of honest regret therefor, aud offered
my hand In token of brotherhood and union,
there was no hypocritical reservation on my
part, and l am true to the tull extent Of the;
warnings OF the people to beware Of me.
20. At this juncture (there being no church
of my denomination in Charlestonl the Rev.
DR.. Bachman, greatly enIeebled with age,
proposed that I should occupy his pulpit once
q week Tor six months, | accepted, aud
eventually became ASSISTANT pastor 10 due
form.
2l. In the meantime, Mr.. F. G. DeFon.
tame, q literary gentleman Of versatile and
genial talents, proposed TO establish q literary
and semi-pollrical magazine. and Invited me
to join his hand, and assume editorial con-
troll. Iagreed TO do so. The XEXth Century
Publishing Company was formed, and THE
XIXth Century" duly appeared Ia June. 1869.
| was its editor from the first number, and
Joint proprietor with Mr.. DeFontaine.
l remained its responsible editor throughout
its whole career, except It's last issue. when IL
appeared and expired under the proprietor
ship and editorial responsibility OF Livingston
& Erckmann."
In the editorial management had the conf.
dence and cooperation Of the late princes in
Southern literature Judge Longstreet and
WIZ. Gilmore Slmms; Of Ex-Governor + F. Per
~, and many Of the best living writer's in the
South.
The XI&th Century was Southern in politics.
and not CONSERVATIVE" as you charge, and
I received q letter from you, ID. H.. Hib,) COM
me,dinq and endorsing ii, de-.
The. XIXth Century nerer advocated the
election OF R. K. Scott tor any position, and
did not favor his s're-election," as you bold
~ affirm. On the contrary, the XlXth Cen
fury advocated and recognized but one reSpoR-
SiJe citizenship. which it lodged in the phite
man, and urged upon him his duties, opportu-
mites and Obligations towards the dependent.
yet dominant, minimizing, ill-advised element.
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