n of the fire-eaters, says of the
colored people:

"This class of our population, as a general thing, manifest a
disposition to prepare themselves for the altered political
condition in which the events of the past two years have placed
them. The sudden abolition of slavery did not, as most persons
expected, turn their heads. They have been, in the main, orderly
and well behaved. They have not presumed upon their newly-acquired
freedom to commit breaches of the peace or to be guilty of any acts
calculated to sow dissension between the two races. The utmost good
feeling is felt by the white people of this city toward the
negroes. There is not one particle of bitterness felt for them."

In South Carolina, Wade Hampton addressed a mixed assembly of
whites and colored people at Columbia, in which he quoted from a
former speech to his old soldiers:

"There is one other point on which there should be no
misunderstanding as to our position--no loop on which to hang a
possible misconstruction as to our views--and that is the abolition
of slavery. The deed has been done, and I, for one, do honestly
declare that I never wish to see it revoked. Nor do I 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 a
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. As a slave, he was faithful to us;
as a freeman, let us treat him as a friend. Deal with him frankly,
justly, kindly, and, my word for it, he will reciprocate your
kindness. If you wish so see him contented, industrious, useful,
aid him in his efforts to elevate himself in the scale of
civilization, and thus fit him not only to enjoy the blessings of
freedom, but to appreciate his duties."

After stating the provisions of the "military bill," as he calls
the reconstruction law, he said to the colored people:

"But suppose the bill is pronounced unconstitutional; how then? I
tell you what I am willing to see done. I am willing to give the
right of suffrage to all who can read and who pay a certain amount
of taxes; and I agree that this qualification shall bear o