Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-12-30
HAMPTON TO HAYgs AND THE COIN.
TRY.

Weekly-P0Stdge free.
HAMPTON TO HAYES AND THE cOUE
TRY.
Governor Wade Hampton's open lettel
TO Governor Hayes, which appears to
day, is characteristic of this grand old
man. He declares that peace prevails
in that State; the course CT judicial pro.
ceedings unobstructed by any combina'
ton Of the citizens thereof, and the laws
are being enforced in the courts, and
that the people propose to leave the
~vindication Of their cause to the proper
legal tribunals, appealing at the same
time to the patriotism and public sentl'
msnt Of the whole country. They con-
denim any solution ofthe existing political
problems by the use OF an srmed force or
through any other channel than the form
prescribed BY the Constitution or the
peaceful agencies of the law. These are
e%ltaueat, truthful words hat cannot fsil
to be we'll received by the whole country,
Such declarations at this j%uneIure OF our
affairs fall ike oil on the troubled
waters. lie vindicates himself, his psO-
pie, section aRd party Of oucs, and takes
a high, unassailable position. The fact
that Ire letter is addressed to Governor
Hayes, and coached in terms Of respec;
as veil IS polite phrase, is somewhat sig
ni6cant. Relying solely on legal and
peaceful means to solve political dill
culties 10 State as well as National
affairs, he recognizes the possibility that
Governor Hayes may be the next
President. and has at the anne time
addressed a communication Of similar
import to Governor Tilden. From this
1t would seem that Hampton 10
abide by the decision Of Congress, or Of
the Supreme Court, if it should be re.
ferred there, and does not prsjudgs the
case. His is purely a comparison and
judicial view, uniDauenced BY his pref
erences and political affiliations. These
declarations greatly strengthen his oEn
case in his contest with Governor Cham
berlain, and are very suggestive to the
leading members Of Congress, some Of
whom talk so glibly about war and mill
tary agencies. he makes an earnest
aud patriotic appeal in behalf Of eonsii-
tu;ionai safeguards aud popular rights,
add the union Of the people Of all The
States. Political leaders on both sides
will do well to initiate MS spirit Of fair
ness, and 10 conform more to his line Of
policy. Governor Hampton stands out
today as one Of the greatest and best
mea of.the nstion-grsat in his sim
plicity and love Of truth and right, great
in frmness, comprehension and fair.
ness. il f-orbearance and discretion. His
u~tterancss disarm prejudice aud silence
a thousand ealamuiss. Oh. that W bad
had more Wade Hamptons as lad 70
just after the late unhappy war Bat
there is only one, and be hss risen eqaal
to the emergency and the great opporiu-
mites Of the hour. The sslutsrY eject
Of bis example is felt all over the land,
and will have a r~sstrsining effect in the
legislative halls Of the nstional capital
Let toe people Of the SOath continue to
be guided by such advice IA be gives aud
tLey cannot be led into grave mistakes
or made to occupy false positions before
the world. Sseh men are made for great
occasions, aud Eore times their O..
%portuuity comes late 10 life. Had he
died a few years ago be would have bsen
known in history only as the dehing
cavalry l%es'er, the b~lue-blooded South
erner Of an illus,rious ancestry. But in
the last few months he has won c national
and enduring fame as q statesman, aud
a wise ~sagacious leader 10 Zines of greal
excitement and peril to Rspubliel an in.
s,ituGons, and his uaAe is almost as
much 3 household word in the North 81
in the South Let The people but emulst,
his virtues ADD exercise proper seitcon
troll and the eSeatest Of dreaded evil.
will be averted, and the country will
settle down, a peaceful confidence vii
eusue, aud prosperity, security and hap
pireas again prevail