The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-09-23

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Gen. Hampton to the editor OF the
Southern Home, is published in that
paperHin its issue Of the 18th: /;
ConUMpIA, September 8, 1871,
Ny DEAR SR: The Southern Homo, OF
the 9th inatant, containing your editorial
on the policy to bepurened by the South.
ern States in reference to the next Ma
tional Democratic Convention, reached
me day or two ago. and along with it
the letter in which you we're kind enough
to ask my opinion on this question.
Though cannot aatter myself that any
opinions I may entertain can have the
weight your partinlity would induce you
to attach to them, most cheerfully com
ply with the request contained in your
letter, because it is only by consultation
and discussion among ourselves that we
can hope to act judicionsly and harmo-
niously.
It would, perhaps. be sufficient to say
that I concur fully in the views you have
expressed. as to tho impropriety of .he
South taking any part in the approaching
Convention; bnt, in Difference to your
wishes, I give briefly the reasons which
have induced this conviction in my
mind.
1. The Southern delegates in Ma
tional Convention could exercise no in
huence in shaping the policy, making up
the issues, or selecting the candidates for
the next contest, without seriously injur-
ing the prospect of Democratic tri-
umph. That this would inevitably 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.
2. If the Southern delegates could not.
with propriety, exert any influence in
the Convention, while their nero attend
ance in it might result in infinite mis-
chief to the Democratic party, it is sure
ly the part Of wisdom to refrain from
participating in the deliberations Of the
Convention.
3. The Northern Democracy will have
to bear the burthen of the fight in the
next Presidential contest, and it is only
right that they should choose the field
and select the standard bearers.
These, in brief, are he reasons, in con
junction with those you have already so
ably advanced, that have convinced me
that our true policy is to abstain alto
gether from all participation in the next
National Democratic Convention. Oi
course. in pursuing this policy, we
should take care to have our conduct aud
motives fully understood by our North.
ern friends. We should say to them,
that we are acbuated solely by the desire
to promote the success of Democratic
principles and Democratic candidates;
that We wish to leave them free to act, aa
the best interests of our party demand
and that we pledge them in the contest
oil the aid ,we can give. only asking them
to give US good platform, and as ac-
ceptable candidates, as they can. When
the platform is announced, and the Gun
didates selected, the Democracy of the
South can ratify the action of the Ma
tional Convention, and they can use
every effort to secure the success of the
party: for on its SUCCESS depends the ex-
istence of the Southern States.
If our people concur in lthie policy,
arrangements should be made in zach
State to carry it out fully and effectunlly.
Should they not concur, we must. in any
event. aot in perfect accord and with en-
tire harmony.
Too much is at stake for MS to differ
amongst ourselves, and L, for one, am
willing to yield my own opinions for the
success of any plan which will tend to
save the South from ruin. T am, very
respectfully and truly, yours,
WADE HAMPTON.
TO Gen. D. n. HILL.
Our Union Camp Meeting