The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-09-22
THE SOUTH AND NATIONAL PoLII1,
Letter from Wade Hampton.

COLUMBIA, september 9, 1871.
My Dear iSir-The Southern Home of the
5th instant, containing your editorial on the
policy to be pursued by the Southern States In
reference to the next National Democratic
Convention, reached me day or two ago, and
along with 1t the letter In which you were kind
enough to ask my opinion on this question.
Though I cannot Halter myself that any opin-
ions I NAV entertain can have the weight your
partiality would induce you TO attach to them,
most cheerfulIy comply with the request con-
tanned in your letter, because 1t Is only by con-
we can hope to act judiclously and harmoIi-
It would perhops be sufficient to say that
concur fully In the views you have expressed,
as to the improperly of the South taking any
part iu the approaching convention; ont IN
reasons which have induced this conviction In
ist. The Southern delegates In national
convention could exercise no influence In
shaping the policy, making up the Issues, or
selecting the candidates for the next contest,
without seriously injuring the prospect OF
tably be the case, is proven by the result of
the last Democratic convention, where the
yery presence of Southerners was used to
prejudice the action and to defeat the candl-
dates of our party.
%. II the Southern delegates could not with
propr;ety exert any influence In the conyen-
tion. while their mere attendance In 1t might
result in infinite mischief to the Democratic
party. 1t is surely the part of wisdom to refrain
from participating in the deliberations of the
sd. The Northern Democracy will have to
bear the burden Of the fight In the next Pres
dential contest, and it Is only right that they
should choose the field and select the standard
bearers.
These, In brief, are the reasons, In conjunc-
ton with those you have already 80 ably ad-
yanced, that have convinced me that our true
policy is to abstain altogether from all partici-
patIon In the next National Democratic Con-
vention. OF course, In pursuing this policy.
we should take care TO have our conduct and
motives fully understood by our Northern
friends. We should say to them that we are
actuated solely by the desire to promote the
success of Democratic principles and Demo-
cratic candidates.; that we wish to leave them
free to act as the best interests OF our party
demand; and that we pledge them In the con-
test all the aid we can give, only asking them
to give us good platform, and as acceptable
announced, and the candidates selected, the
Democracy OF the South can ratlfy 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 In each State to carryit
out fully and effectuay. 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 yield my
own opinions for the success Of any plan which
will tend TO save the South from ruin.
am, very respectfully and truly yours,
WADE HAMPTON.
To General D. H. HILL.