New-York tribune., 1876-12-08
VIGOROUS INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
COURAGEOUS DENUNCIATIoN OF MEN WHO HAVE
THREATENED HIS LIFE-NoRTHERN GOODNESS
TOWARD THE COLORRD MAN.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

A COURAGEOUS DENUNCIATION OF MEN WHO HAVE
THREATENED HIS LIFE-NoRTHERN GOODNESS
TOWARD THE CoLoRRD MAN.
lBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
COLUMBIA, S. c., Dec. 7-Gov. Chamberlain was
sworn into Office at o'clock to-day by Judge Boon,
the Chief-Justice declining to administer the OATH
Upon entering the Joint Assembly all the Demo
Gratis being absent, Mr. Chamberlain was received
with great enthusiasm. He appeared sad and care
worn, but deeply moved. He read his address with
much feeling. At its conclusion the Assembly
broke into shouts of applause. Several of the col
Ored members were in tears and all gathered about
the Governor eager to take his hand. The follow
ing is his address:
GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRE-
sEsTATEs accept the Office which, by the voice Of
majority Of the people of this State have second
time been called with full knowledge OF the grave re-
sponsbities and difficulties by which it is attended
No considerations except the ceares conviction OF duty
would be sufficient induce TO accept this great trust
under the circumstances which surround u.s. re-
gard the present hour in South Carolina as crisis IN
which no patriotic citizen should shrink from any part
10 which the public may call him. In my sober
Judgment present struggle is in defense Of the foun-
daons of our Government and institutions II we fail
now our government-the Government of South Caro-
na-w no longer rest the consent OF the governed
expressed by free vote OF majority OF our people II
our opponents triumph. not under what guise OF
eminent in State. My chief personal anxiety Is
that may have the firmness and wisdom to act in a
manner worthy Of the great interests 80 largely COM
mitted to my keeping. My chief public care shall be TO
contribute my utmost efforts TO defend the rights to
guard the peace and promote the welfare OF all the
people of our State.
The constant occupation Of my time with other duties
which could not postpone has prevented me from pre-
pairing the usual statements and recommendations re-
specting our public affairs At the earliest practicable
day will discharge this duty Our greatest interest our
most commanding duty, is TO stand firmly each In
his appointed place against the aggression and allure
of our political opponents Our position up TO the
time has been within the clear limits of our Con-
stiution and laws. Nothing except the cowardice or
weakness or treachery Of friends rob us Of
The victory
state what facts show, what overwhelming evidence
proves when say that If we yield we shall witness
the contamination Of deliberate ard cruel conspiracy
on the part the Democratic party OF TINS state 10 over
by brute force the will Of majority OF 1000 OF the
lawful voters Of this State have incurred over public
abuses which have heretofore arisen here. have, ac
eording TO the of my ability, labored to make
tAe conduct Of public affairs honest and honorable
But stand appalled, at the crimes against freedom
against public order against good government, nay
against government itself, which recent political
pelenee here has presented; and the appalled,
when zee the North that portion OF country which
is secure in It's freedom and civil order and the great
political party which has controlled the Republic for
sixteen years. divided in its sympahies and judgment
upon such questions Ii Is written in blood the pages
our recent national history that government rest
with safety upon the enforced slavery degradation OF
the full blaze Of the great example of ret
butve Justice which swept away half million Of the best
lives Of our country we the American people divided
BY party lines upon the question Of the disfrauchscment
and degradation Of the race whose physical
freedom was purchased at such a cost And what's
more astonishing there are Republicans who permit the
errors which have attended the first efforts Of this
In seIfgoyernment 10 chill their sympathy TO such an
extent that they stand cOdy by and practically say that
We peace OF political servitude is better than the abuse
s1d dsQuiet which newlyacquired freedom has brought
Idenounce the conduct of the recent election on the
part Of political opponents in this State as vast OUT
rage. Fraud, prescription intimidation In all iorns
violence ranging through all its degrees up TO wantoh
murder. were its effective methods The circumstances
under which we have assembled to-day show us now
eearly successful has been this great conspiracy It's
M in the face Of s dangers in the face OF false or
nnd friends IN the face of open enemies, to show that
understand the Ia which we are engaged, and
NAT earthly sacrifice is too great secure its triumph
The gentleman who my opponent for this office In
NE late election has recently declared as crediby
informed that he holds only Of this city and
sa1e bat my life in his hand do not doubt the truth
" Die statement Neither the public peace nor the life
y any who now opposes the contamination OF This
policy Of fraud and violence s safe from the assaults Of
nose who have enforced that policy Ny life easily
taken have held It, In the Judgment OF my friends
aer By frai tenure for the last three months But
@ere one thing no man In South Carolina can do, how