The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-09-16
What MIR. Chamberlain Has to say
Hts Speech OF Acceptance.

What MIR. Chamberlain Has to Say
Hts Speech OF Acceptance.
MR. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN OF
THE CONVENTION: return to you and
this Convention my most sincere
thanks for the honor you have just
conferred upon me. To be deemed
worthy by this body of my fellow .oiti-
zens to be the standard-bearer OF the
Republican party OF South Carolinn
in the coming political contest is an
honor to which I could 10y no clnim.
and mark of confidence for which I
cannot be too grateful. The conten-
tioIs always incident under our form
OF government to a political contest like
that which is occupying the attention
OF this Convention. are foreign to all
my tastes and habits. But I confess
that, amidst these struggles, 1 have
learned new lesson of the devotion
and fidelity of political and personal
friende. No man can ever have q
pleasanter experience of the unswerv.
ing attachment OF political associates
than that which have just expo
rienced, and which has resulted in
conferring upon me the honor for
which l now appear to return you my
thanks. Tonight, gentlemen, I stand
before you in u position in which I
have been placed without any effort of
my own. Five months ago, was sur
prised by q cali from few OF the most
prominent and earnest Republicans Of
this State, in which they Informed me
that they regarded my candidacy for
the nomination of Governor as essen
tlal to tho harmony and success of the
Republican party, and the peuce aud
prosperity Of the State. From time
to time their views were repeated, and
their admonitions confirmed by others
Of the leaders of our party. No pledges
were demanded of me; no guarantees
were suggested. They took mo for
what they had known me to be on all
occasions and under all circumstances,
an ardent Republican, friend of oil
the people of this State. devoted to
the common interests of all our citi-
zens. The friendship and support of
these men and others who have shine
joined them has resulted in my nomi-
nation tonight. For such an honor,
30 conferred, I owe to them and to you
she largest measure of personal and
political gratitude.
Gentlemen, there is but one incident
In the contest which I have sincerely
regretted. It has seemed proper to a
few of those who have opposed my
nomination to bHse their opposition
upon the ground that am net ma
tive born citizen of this State. The
question of the locality of the birth
place OF any American citizen is an
issue 80 beseless end unworthy of seri-
ous thought. that I cannot let the occa-
sion pass without saying to you that
no opposition based upon that issue,
that no consideration whatever grow.
Ing ont of that issue. in any form
affects my mind at the present mo-
ment, or will affect my action hereaf-
ter. I cannot help recalling that
memorable historical scene over which
the pen OF the histo ian will always
lovingly linger as he traces the politi-
cal history OF Que country. in which
South Carolina aud Mussa chusetts met
to settle the most momentous political
question which has arisen in the his.
tory of the American republic. On
that occasion the tauut to which am
now alluding was heard, and these
were the words of New England's
greatest orator in response to such
suggestion:
Sir" said he. 'when I shall be
found to rise here. or elsewhere, and
sneer at public merit because it hap.
pens to spring up beyond the little
limits OF my own State or neighbor.
hood, or when, for such cause, or
any cause, l refuse the homage due to
talent, to patriotism, to sincere devo-
ton to State and country, or, if see
capacity and virtue in any son of South
carolina, and. if moved by local jeal-
ousy, or gangrened by State prejudice,
l seek to abate the tithe of u hair from
his Just character and his Just fame,
may my tongue cleave to the roof of
my mouth"
Sir, echo this sentiment TONIGHT.
II ever l shall be found to apply the
test OF nativity to any Individual of
this State, or if shall address to those
who are tn be churged with public
duties any inquiries. save theee: Is he
honest? is be capable? is he faithful
to Republican principles? may my
tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth.
Gentlemen Of tho Convention, the
feeling which is strongest in my breast
at this moment is not that Of personal
elation, bnt Of the vast responsibilities
and the almost infinite difficulties
which vii! attend tho discharge of tie
duties to which this nomination will
call me. lsee around me in this State
= A.