Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-10-25
fisbt, and would be fighting them now under

fsht, and would be fighting them now under
the same circumstances. When the armies
of the Confederate States surrendered, it was
done in good faith. Our people have no
humble tongue. I will fight an open enemy
but not secret foe. We fought from con-
viction of duty, while others fought to restore
the Union. The present Constitution as
amended was adopted without our consent; l
propose to take the Constitution OF the United
States With the amendments, and abide by it
strictly. lApplause.] Well, my friends, tins
is a platform upon which all can stand. We
can still do honor to the memory of the brave
men who fought for US, and yet never violate
the Constitution of the United States. l had
rather the tongue should cleave to the roof of
nv mouth, or my right hand forget its cum
ming, than should forget the men with whom
I fought in battle. Il. ~.
We can say that this is now one country
and we are citizens of that country. 10 have
all our resources, &c., developed we must have
peace. We have felt the want OF good gov
ernmentin my own State, where mlsrule mas
prevailed for years past. Peace is essential
in any portion of this country. My idea Is
that we should have as little to do with poll
tics as possible. We intend Gn South Carroll
na) to devote much to our material interests.
Toevery class of people who desire to make
our State their home, do we extend hearty
welcome. We do not ask whether ne Is
Republican or a Democrat. We simply de-
sire that he shall obey the laws and constltu'
ton of the United States. By this means you
will have peace. Immigration will How into
YOUR noble old Commonwealth. You vii!
hear the hum of the loom, and the sound OF OF
the anvil. The resources of your State Will
be fully developed. I do not hesitate to say
to you, men of the South, that by strict atten'
ton to your farming pursuits that you Will at
no distant day exercise controlling influence
in the affairs of the nation. I want to see the
South once more occupy the high position she
did prior to the late war. Then we will have
a solid South, solid for peace, solid for pros
perity and the good of the whole country.
1t depends on the people Of the South, one
which God and nature has marked out tor
them. If they will follow the course marked
by our ancestors, peace and prosperity Will
come. We do not ask you to blot out the
sad memory of the past. / did not come here
to make long address. ("Go on" said
thousand tongues.) / only want to say few
words to those who followed me- in the late
war. The first and second regiments Of North
Carolina troops, who fought with so much
pallantry, were not with me in this State when
the convention between Generals Johnston
and Sherman had agreed upon terms OF sur
render, and they may like to know the fate
of the old 6rst brigade to which they once
belonged The men of this command SAID
that they would not surrender. They didn't
fee from an enemy, but from surrender.
On my return to camp sent courier to
overtake them. They were found near Com
pany Shops. had passed through trying
scenes, had seen those who were nearer to me
than nv own life fall in battle-but never,
throughout the whole war, did I witness
scene which filled my heart with so much
sorrow. The sun was just setting behind the
tree-tops when the men who had followed me
in many hard.fought battle we're called on
to surrender. The sabres were hanging idly
in the scabbards, the men sat knowing not
what to say or do. I said to them: You
have followed me through the glories and
trials of the war |; you were never defeated.
am going; I am turning my face westward,
but come to say to you now surrender these
arms that have never been disgraced. l
saw tears come into the eyes of those unused
to weeping. Many came forward and shook
hands with me for the last time. The tear
unbidden came to my eye, but we surrender
ed, and in good faith. These are some of the
memories that tie me to the past-that tie me
to the old North State. The life OF a private
in the late war was as dear to me as that of
any officer in my command. When all else
was lost, I knew that had not lost the at
fections of the soldiers of my old command.
l hope that every blessing may be bestowed
upon you. Thanking you for your attention,
I must close by saying that l shall never for
get the men of old North Carolina. lAp-
plause.
Loud calls we're made for Vance. The
Governor approached the front of the plat
form and said that citizen of New York
had prepared and sent two boquets-one for
each of the Governors present. This alone
showed the good feeling existing between the
North and the South. now present to Gov
Hampton one of the beautiful boquets. l
must not forget to say, my countrymen, that
am in the habit of telegraphing to the Gov
ernor of South Carolina very often, &c. lap
plause. ......-...