Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1876-12-15
HAMPTON.
Inaugurated Governor Of South Carolina
Under Circumstances OF Great Eclat,
and In Presence OF an Immense
Thr0ng.
The Inaugural Address-Fair and Candid
Review OF the Situation ConserF-
alive Advice to the People
Solemn Promises.

CoLUHBIA. S. c., December l4.-The in
augurahon Of General Hampton took place IN
front OF Carolina hal tins evening. The square
in front of the hall was densely packed with
persons Of both races, and the housetOps were
covered with spectators. At haf-past three
Governor Hampton was escorted to the stand
amid demonstrations of great enthusiasm.
The members Of the general assembly Occu-
pied 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 Of Representa-
1t Is with feelings Of the profOundest sollcitude
that assume the arduOus duties and grave reSpon-
sibillty Of the high position 10 which the people OF
-Ogth Carolina haze called Inc. IL IS amid events
unprecedented In tue republic that take the chair
uf chief magistrate uf This state. In time OF pro
touud peace when no lea officer had been resisted
in the prOper dl-char.e Of his functiO s, We have
Witnessed a spectacle abhOreBt 20 every patriotic
heart and fatal 20 republican iasttuti0ns-Federdl
troops used b promote the success OF political
yarty. Indismayed, though shocked by this gross
violation OF the constitution Of country, our peO
pie, with determination that no force could sub
due, no fraud could defeat, kel peacefully IN tne
path OF Cuy, resolved 20 assert their rights as Amer
lean freenen at the ballot box. that great court Oi
Hnal resort before which must be tried the grave
questions OF the supremacy OF the constitution and
tne stability Of our Institutions. what
the verdict OF the people Of South Carolina has been
YOU Ff0t De kNiQ. II mas ItNtIUCfdltu
tt the state, ana is echoes come back to Us frUm
every land where liberty IS yenerated, declaring In
tones that caunOi be mistaken that. standing on the
Constitution Of our country propose 70 obey its
laws 10 preserve as far In US lies its peace ana
lOnoT aud to carry out In good faith every pledge
made by rs for reform and honest government. We
Intend 70 prove 10 the world the sincerity of our
declaration that the sole motive which Inspired the
grand contest we have 50 successfully made was net
paltTy ambition for party supremacy, but the sacred
hOpe Of redeeming our state. But 1t was sought to
wTsst the fruits OF this victory from us by gigantic
fraud and base conspiracy When the
members elect Of the general a SEM
BIZ repaired to the capitol to take their seats,
armed soldiers Of the Federal government confronted
tnem and their certificates OF elec i0nTere examined
and passed upon by corporal Of guards. lt was
lmid these appalling scenes that the members OF
tle general assembly were called on to assume
,arir duties as the representa- Ives OF a free
state, aud that State one Of The original thirteen
vhO won our Independence and framed our cOnsti-
tuition, debaUed the free exercise OF their
ights by tls presence OF an armed lOrce.
.egal quorum Of the lower house, after placing on
record our protest. quietly withdraw from the capt.
e1l ana proceed TO organize rnat branch Il the gen
sral assembly You have seen majority Of the
Ouse u5urp the powers OF the whole body. You
have seen "A majority expelled from the hall by
threats OF loree iOl Alse seen PeIS9ils .dSlLLs ~
shadow Of claim as members admitted 10 seats as
apTesel tatYes by the votes OF men who themselves
we're acting in direct violation OF the constitution
and you have seen the last cTOWnlng act
N infamv by which Il candidate iOr the
Olice OF governor, defeated BY the popular vote
mad himself declared elected by his c0c0nSplfators
commonwealth to place on record my solemn and
Indignant protest against acts which consider as
subyersye OF civil liberty and destructive OF cur orm
Of government gr5;t task Is before the ConserE-
atiye party OF this state. They entered on this
contest with platform broad, so strong so iib-
aT;il that every honest citizen could stand upon IT,
they recognized and accepted the amendments to
the constitution IN good faith; they pledged them
selves 10 work reform and 70 establish good govern
fnent they promised 70 keep up an efficient sys-
tenn OF public educatlon; and they declared
solemniy that all citizens OF South
Carolina, Of both races and Of both par
tlfs, should be regarded as equal IN the eye
Of all law and all 10 ne fully protected In the enjoy
lnent Of every political right NOW possessed oy them
to tie faithful observance Of these pledges We
tod cor, T1itfad ! as tba representative of the
Conservative party, hold myself bound by every dlc-
tate OF honor and good faith, TO use
redeemed fully and honestly. Let rs 10 show all OF
tneIn that the true interest of both races Will best DO
secured by cultiYatinS peace and promoting pros
1erity among all classes OF our iellOW-citizens.
rely confidently on the support OF the members OF
the general assembly In my effort TO attain these
laudabe ends, ard trust that all branches OF the
government Will unite cordially in this patriotic
.gOIk If so united, and working with a TeSolute
gil. and earnest determination, We may hope soon
to see the dawn OF brighter day ior our stage.
God in his Infinite mercy grant u may come speedlly
md NAV he shower the brightest blessings OF peace
nd happiness on our whole people.
At the close of the address the oath of Of
fee was administered BY trial Justice E. Mar
,hal. to Hampton a. governor, and to w. ID.
simpson. as lieutenant governor, the crowd
standing uncovered while the ceremony was
being performed. The chair on which Mr..
Hampton was seated had been wrapt in the
national colors, and was borne on the shoul-
lers of a dozen r.en to his hotel aud escorted
~ the entire crowd. Several prominent gen
tlemen addressed the multitude from the
'front.' Of the hotel. The congressional com
mittee Upre occupying 4 prOminet position
on one Of the balconies, after which the crowd
quietly dispessed.