The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-04-13
GOV. HAMrroN's ssErUnN /,
HIS RECEPTION AYcoLUMBIAi
IIi- Patriotic speech |!

In October last, the grandest public demon
stration ever made ii honor Of any man in South
Carolina was fsNio by the people of Richland
and tho adjoining Districts, In honor Of Wade
Hampton, the stnndarFbcarcr OF The people, who
was about to return to- tho county OF his nativi-
", nfter brave civic struggle In behalf OF the
people. lie came not as conquerng hero,
but as the champion Of the right and Of the pco-
pies dearest hopes and while he was received
with such great demonstrations by the populace,
and the greatest outward show Of appreciation
OF his labors, there were thousands who feared
thcn-whic they felt that they had done aud
were willing TO do all that honest men could be
expected to do--thc battle might be decided
against them. With fear and tremh Ing, and
nothing left them but hope in the strength o.
Him who docs all thing wisely and we'll they
greeted him with great demonstrations OF JOY,
and every tongue murmured n heartfelt prayer
for his success the coming morrow. On yes
terday the feelings of the people were exhiblted
10 another way. While there was an abundant
display of bunting Of evergreens and OF now
crs, and the ladies, rs usual, arranged every.
thing witt tasto and beauty, the reception OF
Governor Hampton was marked by hearty
feeling of ..well done, thou good and faithful SER
want" upon The part Of the citizens, which we
have never seen equallcd.
Al an early hour in the morning tho streets
were filled with people. Every man, to use
the language Of u United States army officer
stationed here, seemed to feel that the salvation
of South Carolina had already cen achieved:
The executive office and the building in which
il is located had been profusely decorated 10y the
ladies assigned for that purpose-Mrs. Hugh >.
Thomson, Mrs. Gambri, Miss Ida Marshall
and Miss Goodwin, being the principal directors
in the decoration.
Carolina Hall and tho platform in front of it
from which Governor Hampton was to receive
the congratulations Of the people was beautiful
ly decorated with flags, flowers, evergreens and
pictures. We regret that want of space torbids
our giving this particular work its due need OF
praise. 1t was bcautifed by the taste aud sh'li
of Mrs. Norton, Mrs. Louis Ii. Wood Mrs. Df.
Boozcr and Miss McCnnts.
Precisely At . clock the procession was form
cd on Richardson street, Capt. Hugh S. Thomp-
1ne ,ie .qAargs Of the military portion Of the
Taylor street.
The cavalcade moved up Richardson street to
Blanding, thence to the Charlotte, Columbia and
Augusta Railroad, where they awaited the arri
val Of the Governor.
At every cross street the procession was met
by vehicles and citizens foot, who joined in
and swelled the immense procession which
amounted, by the time it reached the depot, to at
least 900 people.
Precisely at q clock tho train arrived at the
depot, and amidst the booming of cannon the
waving of handkerchiefs and hats, tie widest
shouts Of the people, and the tears Of joy from
the eyes of pure women, Governor Hampton
alightcd upon the plat FORM and was escorted to
ms carriage which had, under the supervision
of Mrs. DR.. Trczevau, Mrs. Col. Bacon, Mrs.
Stark and a score of young ladies, been beauti-
fully decorated with flowers and cvcrgrcens-
Upon entering his carriage, which drawn by
four fine bays, bouquets were showcrcd upon
him in the greatest profusion. One little fair
haired beauty. whose name did not learn,
but who could not have been more than iiv years
of age, borne i'll the arms Of q colo rcd man, ap-
proaehed the Governors carriage and handed
him most exquisite bouquet. Turning away
from all other proifcrs of floral tributes, the
Governor leaned over and carcssed the little
chcrub, upon witnessing which the multitude of
people 1Skrrounding his coach rent the air with
tho widest huzzas of approval
The procession then :,y:Acd the first carriage
containing Gov Hampton, accompanied by Mr..
Southern, Captain Stanley, Col. McAlastcr and
Master Willie X. Cathcart. Following the Gov
e r)rs coach w"s one bearing the committee of
lalies who had in charge the decorations at the
executive Office and Carolina Hall. The ladies'
were Mrs. Norton, Nus VI. G. Butler, Mrs. L.
&. Wood, Mrs. Bacon AMI Minnie Cathcart.-
Then followed coaches bearing many distin
Euishcd gentlemen. among whom We noticed
Justice Willard of the supreme Court, Major f.
". Noise, Col Z. NJ Sims AMI others.
The proccssien returned by the way of Bland
ing street to Carolina Hall.
Accompanying Governor Hampton the
Nraln from Charlotte, as 4 guard of honor,
amagnihcent body of men, commandcd;by Capt.
). ). Pegram, beautifully uniformed in green
and gold, known at home as the "liornet Nest
or in the column, and were entertained at the
Richland Rifle Club armory by the members OF
that corps after the parade dismissed. The
visit OF these gentlemen from the old North state.
and the motive which r"'mptcd them TO come
among us, was highly appreciated by everybody.
The Chester Rifles. under command of Mno
Hamilton, the Rock Hill and Fort Mill Hook and
Ladder Companies also accompanied the Cover
nor to Columbia.
AS the procession moved along the streets tow
ards Carolina Hail. every window, portco and
verandah was crowded with ladies, who waved
their nnlkerchieCs end gave other dcmonstra-
tions Of delight.
Arriving in front Of Carolina Hall, Governor
Hampton. accompanied 10y some fifteen or twenty
citizens. took position on the beautifully decora-
ted stand, and was welcome upon his return
TO Carolina by Captain Stanley in the following
words:
Torern0r Hampton On behalf of the citizens
Of Columbia, | thank Go,l for the privilege that
now crowns them of extending to you the hand
OF joyful welcome to the capitol Of your State
and Of assuring you that you received alike
in the arms and hearts of our people. The Ian
guage Of Truth cannot be confounded with the
language Of aIulation, can Just panegyric
be offensive either to modesty or taste
The brave, the beautiful, the aged and the
young, all hands, all voices, all hearts join to
make you welr'me to the capitol of South Caro-
lima. Her emblematc tree freshensin its foliage
at your approach
Again, say welcome, welcome, thrice well
come be the Governor Of our pride affection and
yenoration.
Governor HAMPTON responded in substance as
follows
VIZ. Chairman, .Wy IoKnfyyirom,n ANIL Coys- !