Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-06-03
WISDOM AMONG STATESMEN.

Wade Hampton is not only the first citi.
zen of South Carolina, but he is the first
soldier also. No South Carolinian has so
much reputation abroad, or exerts so much
influence. He is man of broad views and
exalted patriotism. He is wise man and an
honest man in these times when there is not
too much wisdom or honesty. He has enc.
mics at home. There are men in his State Of
talents and influence who antagonize him
violently. He is not radical enough in his
views for them. Probably some of them
would like to have his place. Some of his
constituents wrote to him not long ago in
quiring how it was he did not combat "the
centralizing tendencies of the Republican par
ty, and agitate for the repeal of legislation
not agreeable to the Southern idea of the
Constitution" The Senator replied of course
and among other things said: .
Suppose the Confederacy had succeeded
in establishing separate form of govern
ment then let US 90 further and imagine a
Union general elected to serve in the Con-
gress at Richmond. How long do you sup.
pose his defence of his course during the war,
and what he thought should be done with its
logical results, would be tolerated? Not a
moment. Our situation at Washington is
directly parallel, and when we talk about the
war, or make any attempt to change its re.
suits, we run counter to the vast North that
conquered u.s."
The trouble with Senator Hampton is, he
is a statesman. He has eyes, ears and an
understanding. He sees the folly of fighting
in 1880 on the issues of 1861 or the issues Of
1865. He finds that every time Southern
man becomes aggressive in Congress, he only
makes capital for the opposition. Senator
Hampton knows the power of education and
association. He knows that much of our
Southern opinions and principles are the
genuine resultants of the school of politics in
which we are educated. he knows that
thousands of men who accept, correctly as
we most steadfastly believe, the interpreta-
ton of the Constitution as given by Je6er-
son, Madison, Calhoun, Bledsoe and other
illustrious Southrons, would have been deceiv-
ed by the Crossings and false theories of Story,
Webster and other Northern writers who
have attempted to expound the great Instru-
ment, had they been born and reared in
some Northern State. Hence he does not
hesitate to say that when the North becomes
aroused at what it conceives to be purpose
to disturb the results of the war, that it is
right from their standpoint. He frankly
says:
IF had been on that side, would never
consent that single one of the logical re-
suits of the war should be even threatened.
1t is the widest folly on our part to threaten
them or to seek to undo them."
This the South understands. The number
of intelligent men among us who would fol-
low the lead of the extremists is small. The
Southern people are far more conservative
than the Northern people suppose. They
really desire peace, and they do not favor
the introduction of any measures that tend to
widen the breach or to intensity angry feel
ings. Senator Hampton is as true to his peo-
pie and his section as the needle to the pole,
but he has wisdom, sagacity and high sense
Of propriety.- Wilmington Star.