The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-12-20
Hampton'S Inaugural.

GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,: 1t il
with feelings nf the prOiOuideS, solic-
itude that l the artluous uu-
Lies and grave le>lmnsihililie. of The
high position 10 which the people OF
South Caioli!a have CALI d me II il
amid events unprecedented in this re-
public, that | lake the chair H. Chief
Magistrate of this State. After Year,
of mi,rule, corruption and anarchy,
brought upon us 10y veiaE and unpril-
cipled political adventures, the hon
est people of the State. without regard
To party or race, with one vuice de-
nlanded refoim and with one purpose
devoted themselves earnestly and sol
enlnly to the attainment of this end.
With 4 lofty patriotism v suilIuss-
ell. with Il patience never equalled
with Il courage never excelled, ard q
sublime sense of duty, which finds
scarce parallel in the history OF The
world, they subordinated every lersn-
nal feeling to The public veal and coi-
secraicd themselves 10 the sacred orb
of ~rederning their prostate State.
To the accomplishment of this task
| ivy 'NhS htSu (IIVtiISSINSS WIN utlltAi-
tcring confidence and with mistaken
faith, trusting alnne to the justice of
their cuuse and commencing lila.
cause reverently to the protection "i
Almighty. When the corrupt party
which for eight Years has held sway
lii this Slate, bringing lis civilization
itt1 disgrace and making it's govern
ment II public scandal, raw thar tliede-
maud for reform found u responsive
fecho-in the popular lieait, and that
The veIdict ui the people would be
pronounced against iliUse who have
| degraded the Stale. they appealed To
Federal Intervention, aud Ivy a libel
on our whole people rs lalse as II Was
base. called the s0ldiery of tho United
States amy 10 act us supervisors of our
election.
III u time OF profound peace when
no legal officer had been resisted in
tlle proper discharge of his functions
We have i messed h spectacle allior-
tent o every ratli"tic heait aud iulai
To Republican institutions Federal
lroo,s used 10 promote the SUCCESS of Il
political party. U%ndismayed, though
shocked hy this gross violation of The
Constitution OF The county, peo.
pie. with Il determination that no force
could suhdue, no fraud could defeat,
kept steadily and peacefully IN the
Path OF duly, resolved to u>sert their
rights as American freeman at The bal
l"t-tox that great cour of final re-
sort before which must be tried the
viave questions Of the supremacy 0i
the Constitution and HE stability of
our institutions. Nlat The verdict of
the people Of South Carolina has been
yau need not he told. Ii has Ieverbe-
rated throughout the Stale, and its
echoes COME hack to us fro n, every
land where Liberty II veneiated, de-
Glazing in tunes TINT cannon he misia.
Ken that, standing OH The Constitution
Of our country. We pI"l ore to obey it,
laws, to preserve. US fal as in us lies.
ifs peace aud honor, and 10 carry Oul
in good faith every pledge MADE Ivy us
for reform AMI honest government.
We-intend 10 prove to the world the
sincerity of our declaration that. the
motive which inspired the grand coll
test we have so successfully made Wal
not the pallry ambition for patty STU
premacy, but the sacred hope Of ie.
deeming our State. 1t was this hol'e
that led our people to u victory which
was. grautfer in its proportions, greuler
in its success. notler in 'its achieve
ment and brighter in its PR mise oi
prosperity, than Amy other eyer wagth
this continent. But 1t was souy ut
- wrsss 49, truths vt Has aAenitnSL1