Year: 1877

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March 81, 1877. {
To the President:


SIR-The result of the conference to
which you did NE the honor to invite
me, has been to leave on my mind the
conviction that you sincerely desire to
see a peaceful and just settlement Of the
question which is distractihg our people
and iniuring seriously the material inter-
ests of our State, and trust that you are
equally convinced of my earnest wish to
aid in accomplishing this end. As l
may lot have the pleasure OF seeing you
again on this subject, 1t may be proper to
put before you, in the fullest and most
definite form the assurances given you
verbally. repeat that If the federal
troops are withdrawn from the State
House there shall be- on my part or that
of my friends, no resort TO violence to
assert our claims, but we shall look for
their maintenance solely to such peace
full remedies MS the Constitution and laws
of the State provide. / shall use all my
authority to repre:s any use OF force IN
the settlement of all disputed ques-
tions, and this authority shall
be exercised in such manner that
the peace shall oe preserved.
We onlc desire TO establish in our State
a government which will secure TO every
ci.izcn-the lowest as well Ms the high
est black rs well as white-full and
equal protection in The enjoyment OF all
his rights under the constitution OF the
United States. No one can be more
deeply impressed than myself with the
imperative necessity of establishing cor
dial relations between all classes and
both races in South Carolina, for it Is
only by these means that the true aud
enduring welfare of the State can be Sc
cured. With the recognition OF
the perfect equality of every citi-
zen before the law; with an
honest and impartial government;
with practically secure tie exercise o:
the right Suffrage; with system OF
OF public education which will
open the sources of knowledge to all
Glasses, we may hope to see our State
soon take the position to which she Is
entitled. 1t WAS the patriotic nope to
aid in the accomplishment of these aims
which called me trom my retirement 10
become a candidate FOR Governor OF
South Carolina. 1t WAS through the
confidence of the people OF that State
that ! would honestly and faithfully
carry out all these purposes,
that was elected their chief
magistrate. and | feel pro-
foundly that peace can be surely pre-
served there and prosperity restored by
assuring our people that the right OF
local self government, so prominently
brought forward IN your inaugural and
so favorabiy received by the whole coun-
try, is to be promptly carried out ~ a
rule Of your administration. l sntlci
pate the ready fulflment Of the just and
reasonable hopes inspired by the an
nouncement of the policy you have
unfolded-a policy which has found
responsive echo IN every patrl'
otic heart, az indicating the purpose
to administer the government IN the true
spirit OF the Constitution. In conclusion
permit me TO assure you that feel the
strongest confidence that the wise and
patriotic policy announced IN your 10
sugural will, as soon as it takes shape in
action, will produce such fruits that the
whole country will enjoy the blessings ot
peace, prosperity and harmony. Thank
ing you, sir, for the courtesy you have eI'
tended to me, and with my good wishes


l am, very respectfully,


[Signedl WADE HAMPTON


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