The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-12-03

CHARLESTON
by the spirit and Intention of this platform,
by which I hope we will be governed.
To those who deemed 1t proper. to assall me
during the canvass with unparalleled acerbity,
I would say, in kindly spirit, that the obloquy
of their assaults has been met and answered
at the ballot-box, and I do not desire to re-
| vlve the recollection of their defeat, save by
proving In my public conduct that their re-
proaches were undeserved.
I trust that 1t will not be deemed inappro-
pirate for me to refer, on an occasion like the
present, to on event which, following rapidly
| the official announcement of the election Of
the Republican candidates in the State and
| nation, has thrown a cloud upon even that
splendid triumph. I allude to the death OF
the Hon. Horace Greeley, which occurred on
the evening of the 2sth ultimo, and which
may be considered as a national calamity.
History Is but the record Of the lives and
deeds of the few men who have been either
the benefactors or the scourges of their race.
This man was in his sphere illustrious above
all bis comHeers In the service rendered by
him to the cause of human rights, during the
past quarter of o century. Standing at The
head of a great journal, whose pages were
disseminated as widely as the English language
itself, he did more than any Of his contempt
rarles to mould the opinions of the represen.
tative men of his generation, and to estab-
lish and vindlcate the bene6cent system OF
free government now incorporated. Into the
organic law of this nation.
sprlnglng from the toiling millions of the
people, he never forgot bis origin, but was
slways, amid his well deserved wealth and
emInence, the outspoken champion OF the
poor and the oppressed, and of the rights oil
labor. No man was more uncharltable In
speech than he, and never was man more
charitable In deed. Possessed of a hardy and
rugged honesty which the breath of slander
dared not assaiI. even 10 the fierce heat OF q
political canvass distinguished for Its bitter
and malign personalities, he never, where
principle las he saw iI) was involved, sacrl-
iced the right to the expedient, but always
preferred, In maintaining his COW .ctlons,
rather to break than to bend.
his lame will be national property, and will
continue for many generations to reflect las-
tire upon his country, while the co'ored race
whom he aided 30 much to relieve from
chattel and civic bondage, will, In gratefully
cherishipg the memory of his noble service,
forget his one grlevous fault.
In conclusion, fellow-citizens, I would do
Injustice to the impulses Of N.Y. heart should
I fail, on such an occasion as the present, to
recognize and gratefully acknowledge the
services rendered to the cause of free gov.
ernmeut In South Carolina by my distinguish
ed predecessor. First entering the State as a
prisoner OF war, whose command was de-
feated without dlshonor, he was duly
exchanged, after long confinement in
a military prison, and at the close of
hostllitIes la the field returned, with
promotion to the rank of major-general Of the
United States Army, to administer the affairs
of an Important bureau OF the government of
our State. In that capacity he organized the
labor system on q free basis, protecting alike
the rights OF the employer and the laborer.
Ills administration as Governor of South Car
ollps ia before the country, and by the conn.
try It will be judged. Whatever that judg-
ment may be-, I but express the opinion Of
those who know him best, when l say that he
has endeavored TO discharge the duties of
his high Office In the interest Of the party that
elected hiu and for the welfare of the people
of the State.
With a solemn appreciation of the grave
responsibility imposed upon me IN the per-
formauce of my duties, and In the earnest
hope that the important matters involved In
the situation before uB may bring about the
utmost concert and unanlmlty OF action, I
commend your deliberations to the merclful
superintendent of that Almighty Power
which presides over States and nations.
Governor SCOTS valedlctory message was
read In the General Assembly to-day. Its
salient points vera fully given In the sketch
already published In The NEWS. sPRrTE.