The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-06-20


discussion the strong and steady current NJ
insinuation that the South is not true tn
the Union that its object in pressing tho
repeal of those measures which we deem
dangerous to our liberties is to give us n
freer field for conspiracy and better on-
portunity to suppress by force and fraud
the real voice Of the Southern pcople. We
are tauntingly told that proof of these
charges is found in the presence on this
noor OF twenty-five members who served in
tue Confederate army, and the South is re-
preached, nay, denounced, for sending such
men to represent her here. Sir, the answer
to this charge is simple.
Nearly every man in the South who could
bear arms was in her armies, and she can
scarcely be reproached with justice for
trusting an1 honoring in peace the men
who rlsked their fortunes and their lives
for her in war. And when the fact is cited
that while the South sends so many of her
old soldiers to represent her in this august
assembly the North sends but four, l sub
NIT that the reproacb, rest if reproach any,
where's, belongs rathcr to the North than
to the South. l feel that l but sneak
the sentiments ~pf every man here who
was in the Confederate service when r
express my deep regret that there arc
not in this Chamber more of the men
who met us in battle, for if opposed to-
us politically they would, if true soldiers
and gentlemen, treat us with the respect
thot brave men never fail to accord TO each,
other And, sir, had these grcas oppusiu.
armies which for four years confronted each.
other In death grapple been left 10 make
and enforce the terms of peace not only
would the country have been spared much,
OF the suffering and the humiliation it has.
experienced, but it would have cnjoyed q.
peace honorable alike to the conuucrors
aud conquered. We should long ere this
have seen Union re established on the ba-.
sis of
FRATERNAL RECONCILIATION,
and whole people bound together by tho
indlssoluble bonds of mutual respect, COM
mon interests, and common destiny.-
Such, at least, Is the firm conviction of cvo-.
.ry true soldier in the South, and all her
sons were soldiers Nor is this conviction,
wanting among the brave soldiers of the
North, for have heard it expressed by them,
time and again. ..-,,..,.....-.' -.
That the men who truly REPRESENT tho
South are here to-day Is due mainly to ous
friends on the other side. When you in
sisted that the States should return to tho
Union; when you called upon them to send
back their representatives, did you mean.
what you said or did you mean the South.
crn States to be rotten borouehs to he filled
by nominations of the republican party p
Indeed, did you not for fifteen years make
them so? And will leave it to the CAN
dor of Rep lblican senators to say whether,
they arc satisfied with the result of the ex-
pertinent they made at such a frightful cost
to us and to the whole country. We arc,
here because we do represent the popular
majority, the character, the intelligence aud.
the property of the States which have sen.
us. We are here because, left to themselves.
the insticts of the recently cnfranchised vo-
ters have taught them that their interests
are identical with ours. We arc here be-
cause, belonging to your own race, trained
III the same political experience as your
own, taught by years Of rule how to govern,
we could not be subordinated, and the pco
pic of the country did not wish us to bc
subordinated, to such mass of ignorant
voters as you had rashly and suddenly cre-
atcd. We are here, we trust, for the good
OF the whole country. What wo were YOU
>'S" ""Su yoo iuoiSGou tudb we SnOuIQStlIE
be part and parcel of this Union
For the past you cannot expect us to-
apologize to do SO would be to sacrifice our
own seli.respect and to forfeit the respect
of all honorable men.
IN THE HEAT OF CONFLICT
-ws strnnk- hard -hlaws and doubtless We
spoke hard words. But does remembering
or repeating them now bring us any nearer
to the peace and harmony for which the
whole country SO ardcntly longs? The men
who served in the opposing armies are now
the strongest advocates of q true reconcilia-
ton. We learned in common school how
to respect our enemies we learned that
personal courage and honor and truth were
better guarantees Of patriotism than con-
stitutional learning or eloquent speech We
learned at least that in spite of differences,
even unto death, there was a common coun-
try which We could better serve in friend.
ship than in hatred, and were our antason.
lists Of the late war here to Gay, in the con-
tests on this floor as in fercer battles of
yore, whoever might bo tao victor, we
should be assured of fair field and an
honest surrender. Applause in the galle-
rleS. judge us moro hy our aots