Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-12-22

INAUGURATION or WADE Haxrrov-urs ryArcu-
RAJ ADDRESS.

""'" am lNAIGI-
RIAL ADDRESS
COLUMBIA, Dec. 1.-THE inaucnration ot
Hampton took place in front Of Carolina
Hall, this afternoon. The SQUARE in front
OF the hall was densely packed with persons
OF both sexes, and the hOuse-tops were
crowded with spectators. At $3.50 n. m
Hampton vas escorted TO the stand amid
demonstrations Of grea: enthusiasm Mem
Ders OF the general assembly occupied the
space immediately confronting the stand,
with the crowd IN the rear. Gen. Hampton
then read his inaugural address. He
saio ne assumed the responsibilities of the
high position TO which the people had cali
ed him with feelings Of the profoundest
solicitude. He took the chief msgistracy
IN a.tlme of profound peace. when no legal
ofhcer had been resisted in the proper dis
charge of his duties He said the peopIe
had witnessed spectacle abhOrrent to
every patriotic heart, al federal troops used
to promote the success of a political party.
Alter asserting the success of his party
at the polls, General Hampton went on to
state that 1t was sought To wrest the fruits
oil his victory ny Il gigantic fraud and base
conspiracy, and then proceeded to detail
the meeting Of the general assembly. stat
ing that the memters thereof were confront
ment, their certificates passed. UPON by a
corporal of the guard, and they debarred
the free exercise of their rights by the
presence OF an armed force. SAID be, ''you
have seen 3 minority of the houss usGrp
the poweIs OF the whole body, you
have seen majority expelled i:om
their hall by threats Of force
you have seen person. having no shadow
of claim a. members admitted o.
seats as Representatives by votes Of men
Tho themselves were acting in dlrec. viola-
tiOn of the Constitution. and YOU nave seen
the last crowning act ui Iniany by which "a
candidate for the Ctiicr oi governor .deleased
by the popular vote, has had himself declared
elected by his c0-con>piTatorS - He entered
solemn protest against the sets vhica hs
considered subversIve of evil liberty.
and destructive of our form OF government.
The platform of the conservative party Wa
such that every citizen could stand upon
1t. and he, a. the represt NATIVE tt that
party. was bound 10 honor tD carry 1t out
honestly. Let Us. said be. ''-how TO all
of them that the true interest of both races
can best be secured by eultivating peace
ana promoting prosperity among all classes
of our fellow citizens. | rely eonhttnliy on
the support of the members of the general
able ends, and | trust that all branches Of
the government will unite cordially IL this
patriotic work. If ~ united and working
with G resolute will and earnest Getermina-
tion, We may hope SION 10 see the dawn
of q brighter day for our state God
in His infinite mercy grant that IL
may come speedily, and may lie shower the
richest blessings of peace and htppIaess
upon our whole people"
At the close of the address the oath of Of
fee was administered by trisl-jgstice Mar
shal. to Hampton as governor, ant to W.
D. Simpson as lieutenant-governor. the
crowd standing uncovered while the eere-
mony was being performed. The chair in
which Gen. Hampton sat was then wrapped in
the national colors. and he was borne on the
shoulders OF dozen men to his hotel,
escorted by the entire crowd. Several prom
iuens gentlemen addressed the multitude
from the front of the hotel. the congressiOn-
al committee occupying a prominent posi-
ton on one OF the balconies.