Year: 1871

In the following letter, General
HAMPTON advocates q policy that
we fully approve. IT is plan for
the Southern democracy in effect
the same as that we have taken
occasion to recommend months
ago. The South had better have
nothing to do at present with
Presidential nominations p; it would
6e worse than useless. Let us say
nothing, bnt vote for the candidate
we most prefer when the time
comes. EDS. EN- iERpRIsR.l


The Southern dome of the 10Th
instant says:


We give below a letter from
one whom every true man places
in the front rank Of Southern sol.
diers and statesmen. We hope
that his views will receive that re.
specttul attention which his intel.
lect, nigh character and eminent
services demand from those he has
served so well and faithfully


To General ID. II. Hall.


COLUMBIA, Sept. 0, 1871.


My Dear Sir: The Southern
Home of the 5th instant, contain
ing your editorial OH the policy to
be pursued by the Southern States
in reference to the next national
Democratic. convention, reached
me day or two ago, and along
with it, the letter in which you
were kind enough to ask my opin,
ion on this question. Though
cannot flatter myself that any
opinions may entertain can have
the weight your partiality would
induce you to attach to them, !


most cheerfully comply with the


request contained in your letter /:


because it is only by consultation


and discussion among ourselves


that we can hope to act judicious-


ly and harmoniously.


1t would, perhaps, be sufficient


to say that l concur fully in the


views You have expressed, as to


the impropriety of the South tax


ing any part in the approaching


convention but, in Difference t.


Your wishes, l give, briefly, the


reasons which have induced thi


conviction in my mind.


/. The Southern delegates in
national convention could excrcis,
no influence in shaping the policy


making up the issues or selectin,
the candidates for the next contest


without seriously injuring tn


prospect of Democratic triumph
That this would inevitably be th,
case, is proven by the result o
tho last Democratic convention
where tue very presence of South
erners was used to prejudice tn


action and to defeat the candidate


of our party.


9. If the Southern delegate
I could not with propriety exer
, any influence in the convention
while their mere attendance in i
might result in infinite mischie
, 70 the Democratic party, it is sure


ly the part of wisdom to refrail
, from participating in the deliber
, ations of the convention.


) 3. The Northern Democrac
will have to bear the burthen Z
, the fight in the next Presidents
> contest, and it is only right ,ba
, they should choose the field an,
, select the standard bearers.
) These, in brief, are the reasons
in conjunction with those 20,


have already 80 ably advanced


that have convinced me that ou
) true policy is to abstain altogethe
, from all participation in tie mex
3 national Democratic convention
OF course, in pursuing this policy
VIC should take care to have ou
/. conduct and our motives fully ur
+. ders.oGd by our Northern friend
8 We should say TO thom that "
are actua'ed solely by the desir
to promote tho success Of Demo
# cratic principles and Democrat
r candidates that we wish to leav
t them free to act as the best inter
c csts of our party demand an
{ that we pledge them in the Col
0 test all the aid we can give, onl
b asking them to give rs as good
y platform and rs acceptable cand
g dates as they can. When th
r platform and is announced, an
!. the candidates selected, the Den


ocracy Of the South can ratify til


action Of the national convention
and they can use every effort I


secure the success Of the party
, for on its success depends the exi'
tencc Of the Southern Statas.
If our people concur in thi
policy, arrangements should b
made in each State to carry it on
; fully and etfectuslly. Should the.
3 not concur, We must, in any event
act in perfect accord and with en-
tire harmony.


n