The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-07-25

reproche. The band played Dixie, and for
fully two minutes the enthusiasm was 30 great
that he was unable to utter an audible word.
Quiet being at last restored, General Hampton
said:
SPEECH OF GENERAL HAMPTON.
Fello,o-ciizens Of Charleston: thank yon
from the bottom Of my hecrt for the kind re-
ception, and my chief regret is that, having
suffered for two or three days from severe
cold, my voice will not enable me to express to
you, in such manner as I desire, how deeply
touched am by this manifestation Of your es-
teen.
AS recognize the right Of the people to de-
mand from their representatives, at all times,
an account Of their stewardship, have come
at your call, to render mine, as one of your
delegates to the Democratic Convention. This
reason would of itself have been sufficient to
bring me here, but there we're other reasons Of
q personal character which make the perfor-
nance Of this duty on this occasion source Of
infinite pleasure.
More than four years-years which have seen
a nations death, which have brought to us
sorrow, humiliation and ruin-have passed
since I last stood in your noble and battle
SCARED old city. Then proudly erect, flushed
with victory and devotion in her patriotism,
she held in her heroic hands the Asy Of our
State, defying, with indomitable courage, the
assaults of her enemies. While portion Of
her sons here guarded so bravely the portals
of TIE State, others were following the glorious
Southern Cross wherever it was waving in
triumph, OF were sleeping their last sleep
on the. fields which their valor had
contributed to win. All we're doing their duty
as Carolinians, and the great historic names Of
the revolution were gilded with new lustre as
the descendants OF Moultrie, Of RutledSe Of
Lowndes, of Hayne, Of Pinckney and Huger,
fought as did their fathers for this dear old
Carolina of ours. Well, then, might she be
proud of the immortal record she was making
for herself; and as one of her sons my heart
used to swell with joy and pride as day after
day tidings came to'our far distant camp fires
in Virginia that the brave old city, rayaged by
fire, torn by shot and battered by shell, still
stood unconquered and unconquerable. Thank
GOD she stood 80 to the last. She heard the
first gun of the war, and through all Of those
four years OF blood and deadly strife that fol-
lowed, our flag foated triumphantly from her
beleaguered walls; and not until that flag was
folded forever, to be buried with the Lost Cause,
did hostile feet press her soil Nobly, then, did
she fulfil her arduous trust during those stirring
wears Of war. Come what may, her past is be-
yond reproach. SO long as patriotism, con-
stancy and valor are esteemed, the wondrous
story of her defence will stir the hears of
brave men, and noble women will teach their
children to lisp the name of Beauregard. So
long as old Ocean dashes its waves against
the ruins of Sumter, her sons will tell with
pride how those ruins we're held-eyen after
they had ceased to afford shelter to their gar
rison amid the incessant storm Of shot and
sheu-by the heroic Elliott.
Thsse are the memories 30 full Of mingled
pride and sadness which are called up as
stand among my fellow-citizens Of Charleston,
and which made me long to look once more
upon the spot that gave me birth.
/ have not forgotten how many Of your no
blest and bravest Sons followed my standard
through all the eventful days Of the war; and
wished to look u the faces and grasp again
the hands Of these comrades, so tried and 80
true. / wished 10 thank them in the presence
of their kindred for their services, and to ex-
press my deep sense Of obligation to them. ]
- &o1, vpifh
grave issues that are forced upon US, to draw
hope from their courage, and to adjure them
by every memory Of the glorious past, ,Lby
their immortal dead, ~Ao gave their lives to
their country-by your children, who have the
right to claim Of you as their heritage On es-
cutcheon untarnished by shame and dishonor-
by every hope Of the future to be true to them
selves, and to prove to our friends, as well as
to- our enemies, that "there's life in the old
land yet" The ingenuity Of hate may seek to
humlliate you malignity may strive to asperse
your fair fame-tyranny may Cypress you, but
remember that you cannot be degraded save
by your own acts. Be true, be firm, be patient,
and deliverance will surely come. Gentlemen,
hope and believe that the blessed day Of our
deliverance is drawing near. The signs in the
political skies are full Of hope, and we bring
back to you from the united Democracy Of thu
North tidings Of great glee.
When the Democratic Convention was called
together, and the Southern States were invited
to participate in its deliberations, my opinion
was decided that we should accept the invita-
tion promptly; and my conviction is clear that
in doing 30 we have not only acted wisely, but
We have done great good to the South and to
the Democratic party. After tree and full
consultation with delegates in the Convention,
representing all the Northern States, am
thoroughly convinced that the great heart OF
the Democracy is fully aroused; that it beats
in profound sympathy with the suffering South;
that it is fully alive TO the dangers which
threaten to destroy the constitution and the
government, and that it is unalterably fixed In
its purpose to rescue that constitution from
destruction, to restore that government to its
legitimate functions, and to bring back the
Southern States 10 their place in the Union,
with all their rights, dignity and equality un-
impaired.
These are the objects for which the Demo
cratic party are fighting; and, planting them
selves on the Appian Way of the constitution,
grasping once more in friendship the hands Of
their brethren Of the South, setting up again