Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-06-17
THE SOUTHERN PEOPLE.
What Wade Hampton Says OF Their
Feeling and Their Desires.

York and has been interviewed by a
reporter of the Tribune. In the
course Of the conversation he said:
"The South is eminently conserva
tive, aud has always been so. 1t.
wants to be quiet, and does not want
to be the victim nor the mover in any
thing that will create trouble or mis-.
trust. As to the laws permitting the
presence Of troops at the polls, they
were war measures, and all wish them
repealed. | would never have deliy-
cred the speech | did but for speech
Of Mr.. Thurman some time ago, in
which he denied, and truthfully de-
MED, the charge that the South was
debating the policy of the Democratic
party.
If the Northern papers would try
to get at the true disposition of the
Southern people it would promote re-
Cancellation. | know that they have
u sent able correspondents through the
South, many Of whom | have met and
whose correspondence | have real.
But | do not think they have seen
with impartial eyes. They have felt
constrained to write to suit the poll
tics of the papers they represented. |
refer as much TO the correspondents
of the Democratic press as Of the Re
publican. At least, they have mis-
On taken the true feeling Of the South.
1t did not attempt TO seeede for war,
and it does not follow that, because it
did not succeed in leaving the Union,
it still wishes to injure it. This is the
only country the Southern people now
have, and they wish to make il as
great and prosperous as possible. The
South ought TO be credited with hav-
ing prevented a war in 1876, when the
whole country was at fever heat over
the President. a gun fired in South
Carolina then would have precipitated
a general war. The South is stronger
eG to- day than in 1860. There is no feel
ing of timidity actuating her present
policy. There is no desire for another
war. The South wants peace. This
| know to be the feeling Of the whole
people there.
There is another thing which
ought not to be overlooked-that
while the South is wholly Democratic
and constitutes the strength of the
Democrats party, we do not intend ia
ask a place upon the Presidential
ticket for a Southern man. We want
the party in the North to place tive
good men on the ticket, and We will
support it for the national success OF
the Democratic party. With refer
ence to the personal choice Of thu
South for particular Presidential can
didates, / do not think the South ha!
made any. ] believe that there haI
been a feeling that in justice to the ole
ticket 1T should be renominated
There are many reasons, however
which may be urged against this. an,
the refusal Of MIR. HeBdricks TO b
put in nomination again seems to rem
der it impossible. / don't think tn,
South cares q copper who the mex
Presidential candidate may be, as lon
as he is a strong national man. The.
do not care where he comes from o
what his financial views may be.
There is a great deal of misapprC
hensi0n in the North az TO the politI
cal condition of the negroes in I'll
South. They seem to think that
eolOred man il bound to be a Repul
hcan because be IL O colored man.
know personally many col0red men
South Carolina whO have always bee
consistent Democrats, and have sn.
Tered IN consequence. There are on
I9,O0O white voters in nay State an
10000 colored voters. The latte
nr therefore, hold the balance of powe
When l was elected governor the
were ll9,5W votes cast. and only p
.r scattering votes thrown against m
and Twas undoubtedly elected by Il
colored voters, who at that time ha
all the machinery Of elections in the
hands. There was not a quarrel or
fist fight in that election. The r
publicans could not put ticket in n
field because the colored people We
satisfied.
think it will be a great misfo
tune for the negroes to migrate
large numbers to Kansas. The q
mate is not suitable for them. D
old field hands in Mississippi. Whe
l cultivated a plantation, sent TO /
and asked my advice about going
Kansas. | told them they were fire
men now aud had the right 10 go
they thought best, but that | DID n
think they would 6nd the elima
suitable. ! advised them 10 Sead
delegation Of one or two Of their mG
intelligent men, on whom they ecu
depend, 10 view the land and make