The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-07-10
srafpnY: The circumstances under


which we meet makes it peculiarly
fitting that we should recognize the
hand of Divine Providence, not only
in the great and painful changes Of
the past. but especially in the impor-
tant events which have resulted in
the meeting of this General Assent
bly,. 1'- -
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 administer
ing the affairs of the State. Itwould
be affectation not to recognize the
peculiar circumstances under which
I have been elected Governor, and
which must necessarily have great
influence in shaping my course. Let
me say, then, that I have no doubt
rs to the validity of all the proceed
ings 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 the State, with the full determine
tion to exercise all the powers be-
longing to the position-with the
purpose always of promoting the
best interests of the whole people.
But while I believe that in my cleo
tion the will of the majority OF the
people Of South Carolina has found
@ fuller expression than ever before
in her history, am, at the same
time, aware that an influential mi
nority of her people view the acts
which have resulted in the adoption
of the Constitution under which we
are 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 authority of the United
States Government, since the close
of the war, shall be declared null and
void. 1t is never wise in any COM
munity for the majority to treat with
Indifference or unnecessary rigor the
opinions and wishes of the minority.
In community like this, where So
ciety is being completely revolution
lied, and where, as the result of that
revolution, soreness and bitterness
of feeling necessarily exist among all
classes, but especially among the for
mer ruling class, it is of the very
first importance that we, who repre-
sent the majority of the people, shall
exercise great moderation and for
bearance in all that we do, so that
we may disappoint both the hopes
and fears of those who have prophe-
sled concerning us different result.
For my own part, while I shall,
within the scope of my powers, firm
ly and consistently carry out the
principles of freedom laid down in
the Constitution, and jealously seek
to maintain the rights of the poorest
and the humblest citizen of the
State, I hope to be able to do this
duty in such manner that large
numbers of those who now stand
aloof, foreseeing only evil to the
State, will, as time rolls on, realize
that the extension of equal rights to
those hitherto deprived of them, in
stead of injuring the State, produces
contentment and peace, conditions
precedent to the growth of an intel
ligent, strong and prosperous people.
Had not supposed that something
could be done in this direction, I
never would have dared to accept this
trust at the hands of the people.
There is o class of citizens who
will probably, for many years, be un-
able to contentedly adapt themselves
to the new order of things; but 1
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 admins
tered, will have the effect of recon
Cling them to the new Government;
and I have no doubt that, in O very
short time, we may, upon the great
essential principles of social order
and political freedom, be q happy
and united people.
Upon you, gentlemen of the Gene
raj Assembly, will fall large share
of the responsibility which rests upon
us all for tho security of the future.
You will pardon me, therefore, if 1
urge upon you the exercise of great
care, purity and moderation in all
that you do. The Constitution adopt
ed by the people of the State, must
be your guide. Whatever Imperative
duties it devolyes upon you, must be
perfOrmed without c,,,ol;f oot;o,. L,+