The New York herald., 1876-12-08
SOUTH CAROLINA.
THK STATE OF FLORIDA.
t4uAalr LIE 4 lA-E

ROBERT BULLOCK.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
INAUGURATION OF D. H. CHAMBERLAIN AS
aovERNoR--HIs ADDRESS TO THE LEGIsLA-
TURE-A CARD FROM GENERAL HAMPTON.
[BY TELEGRAPH 70 THE HERALp.l
COLUMBIA, Dec Z, 1876.
Governor d. II. Chamberlain was inaugurated
day. The scene and instances OF tho Inauguration
were novel and farcical in the extreme. The Gov.
ernor, q native OF Massachusetts, was sworn In
by Probate Judge who is q native OF Texas.
both OF them carpet .baggers. AT o'clock
the preliminaries being all arranged in the
way of providing convenient method OF swearing the
Governor by dispensing with the constitutional pro-
vision requiring the Chief Justice 10 perform that
duty, the seventeen republican members OF the
senate solemnIy marched across tho State House to
the hall OF the House OF Representatives This body,
headed by the colorcd Lieutenant Governor filed
through the two lines of negro special deputy
sergeanls-at-Arms into tho hall of the House
ana took seats the floor, the Lieutenant
Governor ascending to tho Speakers stand and taking
u seat Speaker Mackey. In few moments after
ward Governor d. II. Chamberlain entered the door
and escorted up the aisle to the Speakers stand
by Probate Judge b. J. Boono.
The Governor stood behind tho Speakers desk and
seemed to take notice Of the feeble applause
by the cappng and stamping ofthc dusky assemblage
the floor The coored Lieutenant Governor then
came forward and requested the best order DO pre-
served, which, TO the least OF it, was unnecessary
WHO WE'RE PRESENT.
Al this time there the hall 81 negro visitors
principally special constablcs and deputy sergcansa
arlns fourteen coored and three white Senators,
forty.nine coored and four white Representatives;
ckcv of rlexton and fha
Governors private secretary. The doors were locked
barred and closely guarded, Notwithstanding the 27th
section OF article 2 Of the Constitution,
which says that "al legislative business shall
be transacted with open doors " There only fifty
three members Of tho House present, ten less than
constitutional quorum and SIX less than the quorum
with which the Mackey House organized. or these
nltythre eight members Illegally seated. Down
stairs companies OF United States troops stood at
case behind their stacked arms. and all the doors and
entrances to the State House strongly guarded by
special constabuary, consisting altogether Of negroes
THE CEREMONY.
About half past O'Clock p. N. Governor Cham
bcra,n stood up with the Probate Judge, between
Lieutenant Governor Glcavcs, Speaker Mackey and
several leading coored republicans and amid profound
silence held up his right hand The oath was then
administered by Probate Judge Boone aud
during tho reading Of it the Gov
ernor's LETT hand ncrvously cuiched and
tugged at his cravat He was very pale, excited, un-
easy and looked like man engaged in a questionable
and dangerous enterprise. Altogether tho entire
scene. the black assembagc, tho few whites the
bolod and guarded doors the surroundings gener
ally bore the srecmblance Of plot or conspiracy the
like of which before witnessed in tho light
OF day IN the great American Republic
GovKRNoR CnAMBkRIAIy's ADDRESS
When the reading OF tho oath concluded tho
Governor stepped forward, and, In rcmulous tone OF
voice. read from manuscript the following inaugural
address,
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND House. OF REPRE-.
sESrArivRs-:
accept the ONCE to which, BY tho voice OF a major.
ity Of the people Of this State, have a second time
been called with full knowledge OF the grave rcspon-
sbilitics and difficulties by which II s attended.
No considerations, except the clearcst convictions OF
duty would be sufficient to induce me TO accept tins
great trust under the circumstances which now sur
round ! regard the present hour South Carolina
crisis At which no patriotic person should shrink
from any post TO which pablo duty may call him.
In my sober Judgment our present struggle is in de-
icnce or the foundations Of our governmen, and
INSTITUTIONS. II We fail our government.
the government Of South Caroliua, VIII longer
rest on the consent OF the governed expressed
by free vote OF majority of our people II op-
poncnts triumph care not under what gnisc OF legal
forms, We shall witness tho overthrow Of ircc govern
ment in our State. My chet personal anxiety is that
l may have the irmness and wisdom to act
in manner worthy OF the great interests
largely committed 10 my Keeping. Ny chief
pubic shall be to contribute my utmost efforts 10
defend the rights, TO guard the peace and TO promote
the welfare OF all the people OF State. The con-
stnnt occupation OF my time with other duties which
could not postpone has prevented from preparing
the usual statements and recommendations re-
spcctng our public AFFAIRS the carli-
est practicable day I will discharge this duty.
Our greatest interest. our most commanding duty,
now, IL 10 stan" hrmiy each in his appointed place.
against the agressons and auremcnts OF political
opponents Our position up TO the present time has
been within the clear limits OF our constitution and laws.
Nothing but The cowardce weakness trcacLcry
friends can rob US OF the victory. state what
facts show what overwhelming evidence proves when
I sny that u we yield now shall witness tho
summation of deliberate and cruel conspiracy on
part OF the democratic party OF this
come. by brute force, the political will OF majority
OF 20 000 OF the lawful voters OF this state have
mourncd over public abuses which have heretofore
arisen here; have, according TO the OF my
abinry, abored to mako the conduct OF pubic
affairs honest and honorablc but stand appalled,
the crimes against freedom, against public order,
against good government nay, against govern
meni ITSELF which recent political experience
here has presented, and am the more appalled, when
see The North, that portion OF our country which is
secure It's freedom ana civil order, the great
political party which has controlled the Republic for
upon such questions IL is wi.ttcn in blood
the pages OF recent national history that
government rest with safety upon the enforced
slavery and degradation OF race In the full blaze OF
the great example OF rcributyc justice, which swept
away 900 OF the best lives Of country,
the American people divided by party lines upon the
question OF the disfranchisement and dcgra-
dom was purchased ~ such . cost; and what