HS US History CFA #1 - Passage 2 Wade Hampton's Advice to Confederate Veterans Background: The following is an excerpt from a speech by Wade Hampton. He was one of the richest planters in the South when war broke out in 1861. Hampton was tremendously popular in South Carolina in the early years of Reconstruction. ...For four years the North waged war upon us, only, as she solemnly declared, to bring us back into the Union. More than a year ago the South expressed her willingness to return, and yet she is now as effectually out of the Union as if she had never formed a part of it. The North professed to fight for the Constitution. As soon as she had the power to do so, she changed that Constitution, and she violated its sacred provisions. The North protested that she did not fight for conquest, or for plunder. The Southern States are at this moment practically conquered provinces, and more of their moveable property is now in the hands of Northern soldiers, who stole it, than in those of its rightful possessors. The parole which Southern soldiers received promised, as I have already said, that they should not be interfered with, so long as they obeyed the laws of their own States. And yet on their return to their States they were not allowed to exercise any right pertaining to free citizens, until they had, under oath, endorsed all the Acts of Congress and declared the abolition of slavery fixed, irrevocable and constitutional…. ...Of all the inconsistencies of which the North has been guilty...none is greater than that by which she forced the Southern States... to ratify the Constitutional Amendment abolishing slavery But 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. Let his history as a slave be compared hereafter with that which he will make for himself as a freeman, and by the result of that comparison we are willing to be judged… 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, clinging to his old home, his own country and his former masters... Question 2 Based on passage 2, Hampton would most likely agree with which of the following claims? A The North took advantage of the South during Reconstruction. B The South was treated fairly during Reconstruction. C Black men should be equal to whites. D The South should pay reparations to the North.