The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-07-10
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.

i 4
Geneemen.of tie Genera assembly: The cir
cumstances under which We meet makes it Pc
-cuiarly fitting that We should recognize the
hand OF Divine Providence not only in the
great and painful changes Of the past but es-
peciaIy in the important events which have re-
suited in the meeting Of this General Assem-
bly,. On entering upon the duties of my Office.
it is right that, I should state in general terms
| the principles which will control me in admin
istering the affairs, of the State.
Il would be affectation not to recognize the
peculiar circumstances under which Ihaye been
elected Governor, and which must necessarily
have great infuencein shaping my course.
Let me say that I have no doubt as to the
validity OF all the proceedings which have
been had under the Reconstruction acts OF
Congress, and that I assume this Office after
having been elected by large majority Of the
votes of the voting population of tae State,
with the full determination to exercise all the
powers belonging to the position With the
purpose always Of promoting the best interest
Of the whole people.
But, while believe that in my election the
Will of the majority of the people Of South Ca
rollins has found a fuller expires N than ever
before in her history, Lam, at the same time,
aware that an influential minority of her peo-
pie view the acts which have resulted in the
adoption Of the. constitution under which We
assembled, and my election to the: office of
Governor, as in violation Of their constitutional
rights, and that they, more or less, earnestly
and honestly look forward to the time when
these, and all other acts done under the au.
thority Of the United States Government since
the close Of the war, shall be declared null and
void.
1T is never wise, in any community, for the
majority to treat with indifference or unneces-
sary rigor the opinions and wishes of the
minority. In o community like this, where
society is being compl: tely rayolutionized, and
where, as the result Of that revolution, soreness
and bitterness Of feeling necessarily exist
among the former ruling class, it is Of the very
first importance that We who represent the
majority Of the people shall exercise great
moderation and forbearance in all that We do,
so that we may disappoint both the hopes and
fears Of those who have prophesied concerning
us different result.
For my own part, while I shall, within the
the scope of my powers, firmly and consistently
carry out the principles of freedom laid down
in the constitution, and jealously seek to main.
tain the rights Of the poorest and the humblest
citizen Of the State, hope to be able to do this
dnty in such manner that large numbers OF
those who now stand aloof, foresseing only evil
to the State, will, as time rolls on, realize that the
extension of equal rights to those hitherto
deprived Of them, instead Of injuring the State,
produces contentment and peace-condtlons
precedent TO the growth of an intelligent, strorg
and prosperous people.
Had not supposed that something could be
done in this direction, never would have
dared to accept this trust at the hands of the
people.
There is class of citizens who will, proha-
bly, for many years, be unable to contentedly
adapt themselves to the new order Of things;
but confidently believe that this class is very
small, and that as time passes it will become
still smaller and less influential. With the
great majority, however, wise laws justly ad-
ministered will have the effect OF reconclhng
them to the new government, and have no
doubt that in very short time we may, upon
the great essential principles OF social order
and political freedom, be happy and united
people. Upon you, gentlemen Of the General
Assembly, will fall large share Of the respon-
sibility which rests uoon us al for the security
Of the future.
You will pardon me. therefore, if urge upon
you the exercise of great care, purity aud mode
ration in all that you do.