Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1883-06-28
HAMPTON'S HARANGUE.
A Southern Senator's Stronq Speech

| CAMDEN. s. c., June 20 The monument
erected by the women of kershaw county.
in memory of the confederate dead, was
dedicated to-day, by great military dem
onslration. in which twenty companies
participated. Senators Hampton and But
tier and other distinguished men were
present. The ceremonies of unwilling con-
sisted OF an artillery salute. dedicatory
prayers, an ode by ladies and a memorial
Grafton by Senator Hampton.
Senator Hampton paid tribute TO the
ern women, and said that when the true
history OF the war shall be written they
should certainly occupy the first place in
our hearts. But first in honor, they would
always repel with scorn aud indignation
the imputation that monuments to the con-
federate dead marked the spot where trait
ors slept. We OF the south were neither
traitors nor rebels; nor was our war in any
proper sense a rebellion. Ii was strictly Il
civil war, growing out OF conflicting inter-
ests and different constructions OF the
constitution by the opposing sections OF
the country. He maintained that the per-
feet union of the states, as contemplated by
our fathers, could never be possible II the
citizens of one portion of the republic are
to be kept in that union merely on suffer-
age, but suspected; Of contributing their
full share to the support Of the government
but not participating in its directions;
bearing its burdens, but not sharing the
al; hal ia, tha
their fathers they are but unwelcome in
truders. lie congratulated the country
that the future was suspicious; that the
scars of war were being Oblitterated by
time, and demanded that our former enc
mics do justice TO the motives that inspires
of the war issues had been left TO the old
leaders the country would have been saved
the shame and humiliation of reconstruc-
ton. He counseled obedience to the law
and the supremacy OF the constitution, and
said it requires every mutual forbearance, |
concession and generosity on the part Of
the late contending sections to bring about
this result, and surely every statesman,
every lover of his country desires to see |
this end reached; it can be attained with
out the loss Of self-respect by any man,
north or south; without any unmaniy deg
relation; without the sacrifice Of one low
est conviction or one cherished principle.
The great questions which were at issue
between the north and south and which
were left 10 the arbitrament by war were
decided against us, but the sword never
has decided and never will decide the qiies-
tion involving the final judgment OF the
motive and actions Of man. That rests
with higher tribunal than any on this
earth, and 10 that last great court an APP
peal must be taken on every question of
right and wrong. He submitted that for
our conviction we are responsible alone to
our own conscience. and TO our Sod.
Hence, there is no Inconsistency in our
giving TO the constitution and laws under
which we live an earnest, conscientious
support, while we hold in tender reverence
the memory of the men who died for the
cause we held to be just and right.
The Grafton was received with much en-
thusiasm.