Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-04-12

ton by which he passed, from Columbia tothe
National Capitol, so was his return, by diff
ferent route, marked by the same degree Of
enthusiasm among the people, who focked in
crowds to the different stations to pay homage
to the noble chieftain and to welcome him on
the successful termination of his visit to the
President.
Awaiting himself of the opportunity to visit
sister in Charlottesville, Virginia, the Gov
ernor returned by way of Dahville and Char
lotte, arriving in Charlotte about half past 8
o'clock last Thursday night. In Charlotte he
WIS met by the committee Of sixty citizens
from Columbia, whose duty it was to form his
special escort from Charlotte to the State
Capital. The train, bearing the Governor,
moved up to the platform of the Charlotte de-
pot amid deafening cheers Of the throng, as.
sembled to the number Of several thousands.
Nostay was made at this point, however, and
Gov. Hampton, seated in an open carriage,
with Mayor Johnston, of Charlotte, and Capt,
Stanley, Of Columbia, proceeded to the ecu.
trail Hotel, escorted by the handsomely uni
formed Hornets Nest Rifles the cadets of the
Carolina Military Institute, aud the city fire
brigade, also in uniform. The procession was
headed by a band of music, and followed by
an enthusiastic multitude cheering at every
step. Upon its arrival at the hotel, the military
presented arms, and the carriage passing down
the liue Governor Hampton alighted and was
shown to the parlor, where for the next half
hour he was subjected to an ordeal as trying
as flattering, all the citizens who could obtain
access to the room crowding in to greet him
and shake his hand. Many ladies also claim
ed the same privilege, and we're introduced to
the Governor. His hands were burdened
with beautiful boquets, the tributes of these
fair friends In the midst Of the reception,
the immense crowd outside commenced the
old cry of champion "Hampton! and as
nothing but Hamptons presence would satisfy
them, he stepped through an open window to
the balcony, and after an introduction by
Mayor Johnston, the Governor spoke as fol-
lows:
My Friends and Fsllo,o Citizens Of North
Carolina 1t would be useless for me to at.
tempt to express the qualification | feel at
this demonstration. Words would fail were
| to attempt to do 50, and my voice is too
much affected to allow me to make such an
attempt. If you could understand my feel.
ings, in view of the manifestation Of your
kindness through the whole length and
breadth of the State, you would know how l
appreciate the evidences Of your goodwill
not as to myself personally, but as showing
that the people of the Old North State are
now sending their congratulations back TO the
South State through its Governor. Standing
ON the threshold of the State whose princi.
Piles first gave life to the Meckleuburg Dec.
laration Of Independence, [applause,] l feel
that for the first time in ten years | can say |
am your fellow-citizen. [Cheers.] For the
past ten years your sister State has been ly-
ing PROSTATE, and it seemed to US that hope
itself had forsaken US but, thanks be to
God, there was deep in their hearts an abb
ding faith, and they determined never to des-
pond. They tried compromises tried
the best men of both parties-but all failed ;
and then We swore the State should be re-
deemed, and redeemed it has been. Ap.
plause But, fellow-citizens, we redeemed it
not by prescription or violence, but by the
adoption of platform so broad, wide and
strong that all South Caroinians, of all par
ties, races and colors could stand upon it. /
feel special qualification in knowing that but
for the votes of the honest colored men, l
should not now be here as Governor of South
Carolina. [Applause.] We are bound to
carry out, in good faith, the pledges we made
them, that every citizen, regardless Of color,
shall be equal in the light of the law. l am
pledged to see those promises redeemed. and,
so help ME God, redeemed they shall be.
Tremendous cheering.] Now let me say 10
you, and say it as Democrat speaking to
Democrats, that went to Washington, with
some Of the prejudices of my party. I went
determined to make no compromises, to insist
that we should have the rights we were enti-
tied to- We wanted nothing more, and would
be satisfied with nothing less. l was gratified
to find the President had respect enough for
his country, for the Constitution, for South
Carolina, for himself and for me, may be
allowed to say, not to even speak of compro-
misses: but he came forward in manly and
independent way, and ordered the removal of
the troops from the State House at Columbia.
left him with the honest conviction that he
was earnest and raightforward, and that he
will do all in his power to restore harmony
throughout the whole country, and that he
will fulfill the promises made by him in his
inaugural. [Great cheering.] My friends, I
thank you most heartily for this greeting. [
will 60 back and tell the South Carolinians
that the great heart of this people is beating
for US in kindred sympathy, and [ trust in
God, that before long your old sister State,
rising up. proud, brave, happy and prosper
Gus, holding her arms over her children, shall
send greeting to North Carolina, and say /:
awe take our place once more by your side,
as the peer, the equal of any State in this
grand Union Great and long continued
cheering.]
The speech was received with wild enthusi-
asm. At its conclusion, Col. McMaster was
also called out. lie made brief address.
Governor Vance was invited to meet Hamp-
ton at Charlotte, but business prevented his
attendance.
The special train left Charlotte prompt at
8 o'clock Friday morning. For two hours
before that time, crowd of anxious admirers
filled the street in front of the hotel waiting
in the vain hope of catching glimpse of him
or entrapping him into another speech before
his departure. A few minutes before 9 the
Cadet Corps and Hornets Nest Rifles march
ed up and formed in line. A carriage drove
up to the door, Governor Hampton appeared
and took his seat, and the procession filed off
to the depot, escorted by half the population
of the city. The other half, it appeared, had
gone ahead, and were waiting at the depot for
his arrival, which was the signal for the usual
demonstrations. The entire train had been
profusedly decorated with evergreens and
notices, and streamers and flags of brightest
colors. The smoke stack, wheels, driving rods
and cowcatcher of the engine we're almost hid