Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-12-15
HAMPTON INAUGURATED.
Az Impsslng Ceremony and q Patri.
Otic Address.

Wade Hampton was inaugurated in
front of Carolina Hall, at Columbia, yes.
terday afternoon in the preseace OF an
immense thrOog Of persons of both races.
Members of the General Assembly ooeu-
pied the space Immediately around the
staHd, aud the oath of Office, at the close
Of Hampton's address, was administered
by Trial Justice E. Marshall. W. d.
Simpson was also sworn in as Lieaten-
ant Governor. The Congressional Com
mittee also occupied a prominent posi-
ton. The following is an extract from
Hampton's address:
Gentlemen Of the Senate and House OfRepre-
sentativcs:
1t is with feelings of the p~rofoundest
solicitude that | assume the arduous
duties aud grave responsibility of the
high position to which the people Of
South Carolina have called me. 1t ia
amid events unprecedented in the re-
public that | take the chair Of Chief
magistrate of this State. In a time OF
profound peace, when no legal officer
had been resisted in the proper dis
charge of his functions, we have wit.
messed a spectacle abhorreRt to every
patriotic heart and fatal to republican
insii.utiOns-Federa troops used to pro
mote the success of a political party
Undismsyed, though shocked BY this
~.osn .,,oIot.or ~ tha ooref.t,ts,, - ~.
country, our people, with a determine.
ton hat no force could subdue, no
fraud could defeat, resolved to assert
their rights as American freemen at
the ballot-box, that great court Of
final resort Before which must be
tried the grave questions of the su-
premacy Of the Constitution and the
stability of our institutions. What
The verdict of the people of South Caro-
Ina has been you need not be told. Il
has reverbarate3 throughout the State,
and its echoes come back to US from
every land where liberty is venersted,
declaring in tone that cannot be mis-
taken that, standing on the constitution
OF our country we propose to obey its
laws, to preserve 40 far as in US lies its
peace aud honor and to carry out in
good faith every pledge made BY Us for
reform aud honest government. We 10
tend to prove to the wsrld the sincerity
Of our declaration, that the sole motive
which Inspired the grand contest we have
SO successfully made was not a paltry
ambition for party supremacy, but the
sacred hope Of redeeming our State. Blu,
it was sought to wrest the fruits Of this
victory from us by a gigantic fraud aud
base conspiracy. When the members
elect OF the General Assembly
repaired to the capitol to tsk4
their seats, armed soldiers Of
tia Federal government confronted
them, aud their certificates Of election
we're examined and passed upon by 8
corporal OF guards, Il was amid these
appalling scenes that the members Of the
General Assembly we're called upon to
assume their duties as the representatives
Of q free State, and that State one OF the
original thirteen who won our indepen-
dence and framed our constitution. de
barred the free exercise Of their rights
by the presence OF an armed force. A
legal quorum OF the lower House, after
placing on record our protest, quietly
withdraw from the capitol and proceed
TO organize hat branch OF the General
Assembly. You have seen q minority OF
the House usurp the powers of the whole
body You have seen q majority *
nelled from the hall by threats Of force.
You have seen persons having no shadow
Of a claim as members admitted to seats
as representatives by the votes Of men
who themselves we're acting in direct
violation of the constitution, and you
have seen the last browning act Of
tinfamy by which a candidate for the
Office Of Governor, defeated by the pop
ular vote, had himself declared elected
By his co-conspirators. 1t IS due to nv
position as Chief Magistrate OF the Com.
monwealth to place on record my solemn
and Indignant protest against acts which
I consider as subVersive Of civil liberty
and destructive Of our form OF govern
ment. A great task is before the Con-
seryatiVe party Of this State They
entered on this contest with q platform
so broad, so strong, so liberal hat every
honest citizen could stand upon it. They
recognized and accepted the amend
ments TO the constitution in good faith;
they pledged themselves to work reform
aud to establish good government; they
promised to keep up an efficient system
Of public education; and they declared
soiemnly that all citizens Of South Care.
Ina, Of both races and Of both parties,
should be regarded as equal in the eye
Of all Jaw and all to be fully protected
10 the enjoyment Of every political right
nov possessed by them-to the faith
ful observance of these pledges we
stand committed. ], as the representa-
tive Of TIE Conservative party, hold my
eelf bound by every dictate Of honor and
good faith, 70 Ese egefY effort 70 haYe
these pledges redseaed fully AID
honestly. Let us show oil Of them that
the true interest Of both races will best
be secured by'cgltiysting peace and pre-
noting prosperity among ca classes q
|, our fellowcitizeus | rely confidently
, on thR support Of the members Of the
General Assembly in ny effort 10 affair
these laudable ends, and | trust that al
= branches Of the government will unit,
, cordially in this patriotic work. II 81
united, and working with a r%esolu.e vii
aad esrh0st determination, we may hop
q soon TO see the dawn Of 3 brighter dal
FOR our State, God in his,inEnite mere,
grant it may CON speedily, and may b
I shower the brightest blessings Of peace
g and happiness on our whole people.
---a-a-h