The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-12-15
SOUTH CAROLINA.
INAUGURATION OF GOVERNOR HAHpToN--AP
TRIoTIC AND INTERESTING ADDRESS TO

SOUTH CAROLINA. 3
INAUGURATION OF GOVERNOR HAHpToN-A PA
TRIoTIC AND INTERESTING ADDRESS TO 4
VAST AssEMBLAGE or PEoPLE-A QUIET But
T. SING CEREMONY.
Co uABIA, s. c., December 14.-The In,
augurafion OF Hampton took place insfroni
Of Carolina Hall this afternoon. The square
in front Of the hall was densely packed with
persons Of both races, and the house-tops
were covered with spectators. At $3.50 p.
H., Hampton was escorted to the stand amid
demonstrations OF great enthusiasm. The
members Of the General Assembly occupied
the space Immediately surrounding the
stand, with the crowd in the rear. General
Hampton then read his inaugural address,
Of which the following is an extract:
Gentlemen of. the Senate and House O,
Representatives.: i.s5i5.j.
It is with feelings OF the proioundest So
licitude that assume the arduous duties
and grave responsibilities Of the high posi-
ton to which the people of South Carolina
have called me- 1t is amid events upprece-
denied in this Republic that take the chair
as Chief Magistrate Of this State. In time
Of profound peace, when no legal officer
had been resisted In the poper discharge OF
his functions, we have witnessed a spectacle
abhorrent to every patriot heart and fatalto
republican institution. Although troops
have been used to promote the success Of a
political party, undismayed, though shock
ed, at this gross violation of the Con:titu.
ton OF the country, our people, with
a determination that no force could subdue.
no fraud could defeat, kept steadily and
peacefully In the path of duty, resolved to
assert their rights % American ireemen at
the ballot-box. What that great court OF
final resort before which must be tried the
grave question Of the supremacy OF the
Constitution and the stability Of our insti-
tutions has decided you all know. What
the verdict Of the people OF South Carolina
has been you need not be told. 1t has re-
verberated throughout the State, and echoes
come back to us from every land where lib
erty is veuerated, declaring in terms that
cannot be mistaken, that, standing on the
Constitution Of our country, we propose to
obey the laws as far as in us lies, and main
tain its peace and honor. and to carry out in
good faith every pledge made by US for re-
form and honest government. We intend to
prove to the world the sincerity OF our de-
claration that the sole motive which inspired
the grand contest we have 80 successfully
made was not the paltry ambition for party
supremacy, but the sacred hope of redeem
ing our State.
But it was sought to wrest the fruits OF
this victory by gigantic fraud and base
conspiracy. When the members-elect OF
the General Assembly repaired to tie
capitol to take their seats armed soldiers OF
the Federal Government confronted them,
and their certificates of election were ex-
amined and passed upon by corporal OF
the guard. 1t was amid these appalling
scenes that the members OF the General
Assembly were called on to assume their
duties as the representatives of a free State,
and that State, one Of the original thirteen
who won our independence and framed
our Constitution, debarred She free ex.
ercise OF their rights by the presence OF an
armed force. '.'.
A legal quorum Of the lower House, after
placing on record their protest, quietly
withdrew from the capitol and proceeded
to organize that branch OF the General AS.
sembly. You have seen minority OF the
House usurp the powers Of the whole BODY
you have seen the majority expelled from
their hall by threats Of force; you have
seen persons having no shadow Of claim
as members admitted to seats as representa-
tives by the votes Of men who themselye:
were acting in direct violation OF the Con
stitution; and you have seen the last crown
ing act OF iniamy by which candidate fol
the office OF Governor, defeated by the pop
ular vote, had himself been declared elect
ed by his co-consprators. ..t
1t is due to my position as the Chief Ma
gistrate OF this Commonwealth to place OF
record my solemn and indignant protes
against acts which I consider as subversiv
of civil liberty and destructive OF our forr
of government
< great task is before the Conservativ
party OF this State. They entered apon til:
contest with platform so broad, so strore
so liberal, that every honest citizen coul
stand upon it. They recognized and az
cepted the amendments OF the Constitutio
In good faith; they pledged themselves I
work reform and to establish a good go,
eminent: they promised to keep up an eff
cient system of public education and the
declared solemnly that all citizens OF Sout
Carolina, of both races and OF both parties
should be regarded as equals. in the eve Q
the laval to be fully protected in the er
joyment Of every political right now pos
sessed by them. To the faithful observing
Of these pledges we stand committed, and
as the representative OF the Conservatlv
party, hold myself bound by every dictat
OF honor and of good faith to use every ei
fort to have these pledges redeemed tliii
and honestly. Let us show to all OF ther
that the true interests OF both races can bes
be secured by cultiyating peace and pro
noting prosperity among all classes OF OH
felloW-citiZenS. '.:..s. - = !.
I rely confidently on the support Of til
members of the General Assembly in m
efforts to attain these laudable ends, and
trust that all branches OF the Governmen
will Unite cordially in this patriotic WORK
II SO united, and working with resolut
will and earnest determination, we ma
hope soon to see the dawn OF brighter da
for our State. God, in his Infinite mercy
grant that it may come speedil y, and ma.
lie strew the richest blessings OF peace an
happiness on our whole people.
At the close OF his address the oath 0
office was administered by Justice Marshal
to Hampton as Governor, and to W. D
Simpson as ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, the crow
standing uncovered while the ceremon.
was being performed.
The char in which General Hampton wa
seated was then wrapped IN the nationa
colors, and he was borne on the shoulder
OF dozen men to his hotel, escorted by tn
entire crowd. Several prominent gentle
men addressed the multitude from the iron
OF the hotel, the Congressional Commute
occupying prominent position on one Q
the balconies after which the crowd qulel
ly dispersed.
LOUISIANA.
MR.. JOHN 5. LONG, REPUBLICAN. CAEDIDAT
FOE THE LEGISLATURE, CoNFEssEs HIS De
FEAT TO THE RETURNING BOARD, AND DE
CLISEs THE FRAUDULENT CERTIFICATE
ELECTION. .E+F5Jl r-.tsrst.[ :
DE SoTo PARISH, La, December II, 1876
Hon. j. Madison Wells, President Louis
lana Returning Board: have learned tha