New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-12-15
POLITICAL NEWS.
WADE HAMPToNs "INAUGURATIoN.D

HE DENoUNCRs THE USE OF TROOPS, ASSUMES THE
ARDUOUs DUTIES OF GOVERNOR AND IS BORNE
ALoFr BY THE CROWD TO HIS HOTEL
COLUMBIA, s. c., Dec. 14.-The Inauguration of
Wade Hampton by the Democratic House took place
in front Of Carolina Hall this afternoon The square
in front Of the hall densey packed with persons
of both races, and the housetops covered with
spectators. At $3.50 p. m. Gen. Hampton was es-
corted 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. Gen. Hampton
then read his inaugural address, of which the fol
lowing is an abstract:
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE REPRE-
sESTATvEs 1t is with feelings OF the proioundes solicit
sibtes OF the high position to which the people OF
South Carolina have called me. IL amid events nnpre
cedened In the history Of the Republic that take the
chair as Chief Magistrate OF this State 10 time OF pro
found peace, when no legal officer had been resisted In
the proper discharge Of his functions, we witnessed
spectacle abhOrent to every patriotic heart and fatal TO
republican Northumberland troops used 10 promote
the success OF political party. Undismayed though
shocked by this violation Ot the Constitution OF the
country our people with determination that no force nTd
peacefully in the path OF duty resolved to assert their
great OF final before which be tried the
grave questions OF the supremacy OF the constitution ana
the stability Of our institutions What the verdict OF the
people OF South Carolina has been You need not be told
II has reverberated throughout the state and lis echoes
back 10 from every land where liberty Is vener
ated declaring in tones that cannot be mistaken that
standing the Constitution OF our country, we propose
10 obey ts laws to preserve as far lies It's peace
and honor and to carry ont in good faith every pledge
made by for reform and honest government we III
tend 10 prove 10 the world the sincerity OF declara
tOns that the sole motive which inspired the grand
test have successfully made was not the paIry
ambition for party supremacy but the sacred hope OIL re-
But il was sought wrest the fruits Of this victory by
a gigantic fraud aud base conspiracy. When the mem
berseleet Of the General Assembly repaired TO the Capt.
take their seats armed soldiers OF the Federal Gov
eminent confronted them, aud their certificates OF cleo
ton examined and passed upon by corporal OF the
guard. 1t was amid these appalling scenes that
upon 10 assume their duties as representatives.
OF free State, and that State one OF inc
original thirteen who our independence and framed
our Constitution, dehaTed the free exercise OF their
rights by the presence Of armed force legal quorum
oaetly Withdrew from the Capitol aud proceeded to
eauize that branch OF the General Assembly You nave
seen minority Of the House usurp the powers Oi tue
whole body. You have seen the majority expelled from
their hall by threats OF force You nave seun
hers admitted 10 seats ms representatives
by the votes who themselves were acting IN III
rect yioatl Of the Constitution; and you have seen the
last c-ownlnG act OF infamy by which candidate for
the office OF Governor, who had been defeated py tne
popular vote had himself declared elected Dy Ms coz
conspraors II Is due ia my position as the ChieI MAY
istrate of the Commonwealth TO place on regoI" Wy
solemn and indignant protest against acts when con-
slider subyesye Of civil liberty and destructive Oh our
great task ia before the Conservative party OF this
State They entered this contest with platform ~
broad 50 strong, so liberal, that every hOhest e.
could stand upon II. They recognized and cv
amendments OF the Constitution IN g0Ud ihth. my
nedpcd Themselves work reform and 10 cstaDsh BOou
ruyCTnmeut. They promised to keep up an Grhcleht ~
fem Of public educ lUn, and they declared sOclhh .i
a citizens OF South Carolina, Of both races ana ootn
parties should be regarded as equii9g t ~ an.
Eve of the law; all be fully protected IN the eIu
poyuent OF every political right now possessed 10y te
10 the faithful observance Of these pledges we sla
committed and l. the representative OF thc OolsLla
tive party hold myself bound by every dictate on onoi
and good faith every effort To have the Ieuges H
deemed fully and honestly. Let us show Ia All OF helh
,hot e rig both can best De Secucu
by nfomnting prosperity among all classes Oh gu.
feunw cItizrns | rely confidently on Inc huPpoIt
AT rho tncmbcrs OF the General Assembly ~ ny ny
forts Ia attain these audablc ends and trust that an
branches Of the Government viii unite cOa,S W ~,
uatiotc work II united and working Win Iesolu.e
i ana earnest determination, we may hope soon 10 zee
the dawn Of brighter day for our state. Sod III is
finite mercy grant that II may come speedily anu nay
He shower his richest blessings oil peace ana hApp''
on our whole people.
Al the close of the address the oath of once was
administered by Trial-Justicc Marshall to Gen.
HAMPTON "A Governor, aud to W. d. Simpson ~
Lieutenant-Goycrnor, the crowd standing uhco'-
cred while the ceremony was being performed inc
chair in which Gen. Hampton was seated was then
wropped in the national cOors, aud he was borhe OH
the shoulders of doz men to his hotel escorted
nv fine entire crowd. Several prominent gentlemen
addressed the multitude from the front OF the ho'el'
the Congressional Committee occupying prolil-
mont nosition ON one of the balconies after winch
the crowd quietly dispersed.