Year: 1866

{ + = / & = I


The following he concluding portion of
the speech of General Wade Hampton, deliv-
cred before the /" Soldiers Association at
Walhalla,. S. c., September .22d:


81 have placed before you the record Of the
South and that of The North. Let the world de-
eide which is entitled to honor-Which to shame.
| have draWniih dark colors. but alas in too true
ones, the condition of our country, and now turn
TO the discussion Of what should belonr policy. In
the anomalous condition in which we are placed
it is a matter OF great difficulty to mark out the
proper course for US to pursue, but there are Ger
tain cardinal principles Of which we should never
lose sight. The first of these is, that as we acs
cepted the terms offered by the North in good.
faith. we are bound by every dictate of honor to
abide by them fully and honestly. They are none
the less binding on US because the dominant and
unscTupnlous party at the North refuse to accord
to us our just rights. Letus at least, prove
selves worthy of the rights we claim: letus an
example of good faith, and we can then appeal
with double effect to the justice and magnannity
of the North.


Thest virtues, / would fain hope, are not totally
extinct among that people, and there are brave
men there who are battling for justice, for eonsti
tutional liberty for the equality of all the States
and for the rights of the South. The only hope.
not alonefUr the South, but for freedom itself, on
this continent lies in the success of this party
We are their natural allies, and 1 would sacrifice
much, where honor and principle are not invaded,
and then ] would not Yield one iot or tittle--to
strengthen their hands in the great contest, which
IS soon to decide the fate of Constitutional Lib
erty and Republican. Institutions of the United
States. The President of the United States has
lent the great influence which his high position
his strong intellect his firm purpose, and his in
domItable will, give, to this new conservative
party, and to his support every Southern man
should rally cordially. sssna s45


g We may perhaps. feel that he has not gone to
tn extent of his power, of cur expectations in
carrying out his policy to It's legitimate ends but
we cannot forget that he has been the only bull
watk to stand between cur unhappy country and
certain, irretrievable and everlasting ruin. But
for him the horrors we endured during the war
would have been far surpassed by those of peace.
And though differing with him in many points. T
cheeTf1lly accord to him the highest praise for the
brave and patriotic stand he has taken in defence
Of the South and of the Constitution. There is
one other point on which there should be no mis-
understanding as to our position, no loop on which
to hang possible misconstructinn as to our views
and that is the abolition of slavery. / have al
ready intimated that the mode by which the North
secured the acquiescence Of the South in the con.
summation OF this purpose was bfeachrof faith
on her-part. H ans 8


OF all the Inconsistencies of which the North
has been guilty--and their name is lepion-none
is greater than that by which she forced the South
ern States, while rgidly excluding them from the
Union to ratify the Constitutional Amendment
abolishing slavery, which they could do legally
only as States of that Union. But the deed has
been done, and l. for one do honestly declare that
never wish to see it revoked. Nor do believe
that the people of the South would now remand
the negro to slavery if they had the power to do
so unquestioned. Under our paternal care, from
a mere handful he grew to be mighty host. He
came to us a heathen, we made him a christian.
Idle, vicious, savage in his own country; in ours
he became industrious, gentle, civilized. Let his
history as a slave be compared hereafter with that
which be will make for himself as freedman,
and by the result OF that comparison we are will
ling to be judged. "A great responsibility is lifted
from our shoulders by this emancipation. and ne