The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-01
An Old letter.


Nearly twentv-nlne years ago, one
General Wade Hamptons old soldier
who had moved TO California after
war. wrote him letter. asking MS OPT
ion of the outlook for South Caroit'
under the military government, tnen
Gently decreed by act Of Congress, ~
erai Hampton wrote letter In repY
a copy of which has recently been ss
back to South Carolina by the receiv
and t. now In our possession. IL is
follows:
Columbia. April s. 1867,
My Dear Sir.--Your letter OF the Il
ult reached me day or two ago. and
take pleasure in complying with the r
quest it contains. coming, as Il does, fro
an old fellow-soldier.
The times are full Of perils 10 US. b,
there IS, / think, stu left to us some re-.
son to hope for brighter days. At 6
events. even IL our hopes are not gres
our duties are imperative. These are
strive TO save all that We can TO o,
States of constitutional liberty. n 7
are patient and prudent I believe thl
we can use 10 our advantage that vel
weapon with which the Radicals seek
destroy us--the negro vote. IL is of 4
last Importance 70 us TO secure the GOD
with proper conduct. IL will not be hal
10 do this. His interests are iden,k
with ours. and there Is every reason wy
he should become an ardent Southel
man when he becomes such. TIL
SOUTH WILL BE STRONGER THAI
1T EVER WAS. AND CAN DICTAT,
TERMS
No one can he more bitterly opposed (
the military bin than myself. hut thoug
Congress had not the right TO pass II. (
has the power 10 enforce Il. We are No
degraded 10y submitting to Us provision
because we are acting under duress, az
unless We can direct the storm raised
II. we shall be overwhelmed by IL.
The action Of the Radicals has weldt
the South together more firmly than 4
has ever been. and If We are true 10 o'(
selves, we shall yet see our country frel
We have 20 meet many trials and ha
Mutations. but our duty TO our country
paramount to all other consideration
and this should make us bear all an
brave all
/ coul sci fOrhearance. prudence. ar
prompt action IN meeting this milifar
bill. We can then grow stronger ever
day and more united.
Wishing you success and prosperity,
am, Yours truly.
WADE HAMPTON
Mr.. John Coke. San Francisco. Cal.
There IS the Hampton policy" II
same twenty-nine years ago as sincl
Who can doubt now that II his adviA
had been taken then. and white md
whom the negroes respected had unit1
in the effort they could have used
their advantage the very weapon VIZ
which the Radicals sought to destrd
them"N Who can question the fa'
that If the good VIII and cooperation
of the negroes had been sought by the
old masters. the South would have "b'
come stronger than it ever was" by res
son of their votes? Unhappiy, tf
issue was not treated with brad, pra'
tical common sense. and the negro
fell into the hands OF the carpet Dagger
with the result that South Carolina ha
eight years Of fearful inisgovernment al
public robbery ending I'm a year OF rev
luton, and since then twenty years
terror. lest negro domination" shoul
come again.
As General Hampton said. the interest
Of the negro were identical wit
ours" and had his fears been allaye
and his franchise turned TO good nc
count. he would have become ian arder
Southern man." and to-day would not 7
voting with the Republicans for hig
tariff. against his own interests.
The short-sighted OF 1895. like those {
1861. will be satisfied with nothing bt
the maintenance of a political war
races. and the perpetuation of the polie
Of fright The negro IS 10 be kept
his old position OF Jack-in-the-box, and
touch OF the politicians finger - to r.
lease him at win. to terrify by tho su'
den appearance Of his black face sue
white 1nnocents rs may be FESTIVE und'
boss rule II does seem hard that, art
thirty years experience. there shou'
still be so many political babies anon
the white people Of this State.-Columb'
(S. CO State.