The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-29

distance gladly tested the quality OF the Gov
ernor'sgrip. The congratulations poured
in thick and fast. "Governor, we're with
you," General, hold the fort" were some
of the reassurinS words spoken to the gal
liant son of South Carolina. Finally, when
partial silence was secured, ex-Mayor Kei-
ley said: Ergty9, sH
Hon.rA. M. Keilcy's Address OF
Welcome.
Governor Hampton,-The citizens OF Rich
mond, unwilling to forego any opportu-
nifty Of testiiying their respect for your
self and their appreciation OF the gallant
and triumphant canvass you have recently
made for constitutional liberty and honest
administration on the field OF most despe-
rate promise for both, have assembled spon-
tancously this evening to say, as, unhappily.
they must do in the same sentence, Hail and
farewell! Welcome and God-speed!
When it was known that you had accept
ed the nomination of the Conservatives OF
your native State rs their standard-bearer
in campaign against incompetencY, cor
ruption, intolerable oppression, and hypo--
critical liberalism, thrill OF Joy passed
through this Commonwealth, for we felt
that all that hereditary courage, a lofty line
age, the stimulus Of memorable traditions,
and the consuming fire Of patriotism could
lend to the strengthening of noble ambi-
tion would be found enlisted in the cause
Of South Carolina-and enlisted " for the
war"
Every step, therefore, OF your dramatic
canvass was watched in Virginia with an
interest hardly second to that OF your own
fellow-citizens, and in the brilliant issue OF
the brave fight our Joy was only less than
theirs.
And now, sir, that fraud essays to finish
the abandoned task of force. we look again,
as South Carolina looks.as the South
looks-as we~would fain hope every lover
OF liberty everywhere looks-to the same
clear-eyed courage, the same fortitude and
tried capacity, to gather the fruit Of the
tree they planted, and gather it with no
wayering hand.
You have pointed out to the country as
"obvious and simple' the solution OF the
difficulties supposed to environ the situa-
tion in South Carolina-the one solution Of
despotism: "Let the people rule"
In the spirit OF that memorable formula
OF freedom your ancestor, hundred years
ago, drew his sword for Massachusetts
rights on Virginia's soil. In the same
spirit and with like gallantry his grandson
Virginians with the name and deeds OF
Wade Hampton.
On behalf OF those Virginia people, who
would rejoice to be here tonight, we have
met to make this scant welcome and to
mingle with our applause and heartfelt
wishes the needless invocation to you to re-
member that the prosperity OF q Common
wealth and the liberties of all her people
may stand or fall as you discharge the pre-
sent duty.
Honors may, and, we hope, will, be the
familiar attendant of all your years to
come; but the brightest will be withered
leaves compared with the consummate
glory OF bearing in your hands to the
brave, generous, and long-suffering people
OF South Carolina the inestimable jewel OF
Liberty-the priceless heritage of selt-gov-
ernment.
There may be question whom you will
recognize, but South Carolina has rccog-
niZed you, and she alone has the lawful
authority. Happily, your duty to her is
also your duty to yourself, to the whole
country, to freedom, to posterity. The be-
lief that you will discharge that duty ex-
plains this presence and the enthusiastic
heartiness which marks it.
Governor Hampton's Response.
Mr.. Mayor and my Fellow Citizens OF
Virginia,-I need not say to you that I am
proud OF this generous demonstration Of
welcome. Ifeel that the compliment, how
ever, does not belong to me. II is evidence
Of the high regard that you feel for the
cause represent-the cause OF good gov
ernment, home-rule, and reform. [Cheers.]
A consciousness that we had right and JUS
tice on our side-that and that alone
fo. OF rorOrln in,
South Carolina; and in the battle in
indeed enlisted for the war. We have
tried other means of redress without avail.
We have essayed compromises, and in those
measures we have been disappointed, and
perhaps may say deceived. But, after all
these failures, the true men of South Caro-
lima planted their feet firmly on the Consti-
tuition, and there they resolved to make
stand for the rights they believed it guaan-
teed. They remembered that South Caro-
lima was
and they appealed to our strong men and
noble womenIto sacrifice everything to win
this fight! [Cheering. AVoice: eyes,
and you did win it!''] Yes, my friend, we
did win it. Men of Virginia, you cannot
imagine what those people had to bear to
gain that victory; but III tell you how we
won it. 1t was by preserving the laws, by
holding to the equality Of all, white and
colored, before tine law. We gladly con-
ceded every lawful and constitutional claim
to others, but we claimed some rights for
ourselves. In beginning the fight we ap-
pealed to the conservative element in our
State, regardless Of race, regardless OF past
political action, and ut least twenty thou
sand colored men sustained the cause OF
which I was the standard-bearer. ZAP
plause.l And to-day thousands and
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CoL0RFD MEN
are paying taxes to my government.
Throughout the whole State of South Caro-
lima my authority is respected, save in one
spot-the State-House OF our State. There
tor upwards OF four months Federal
troops have been camping. Now, it
has been asked what claim l shall
make on my arrival in Washington. I
reply only this: / claim the enforce
ment OF law, and I demand the continued
preservation of order in South Carolina. /
propose to ask the President to permit us to
enjoy our God-given and constitutional
rights. We have gained clear title to
them; they belong to us. I do not propose
to lay my claims before any tribunal. PRO
longed cheering.] I propose to say to the
President. "Take your troops out Of that
State House. Let them take up their quar-
ters in the barracks, where they belong.
Then leave the government Of. that State in
the hands Of
MEN WHO ARE STRONG ENOUGH 70 MAINTAIN IT.
Respect the officers who have been called
to positions OF honor and trust by q ma
iority OF the voters OF that State" This is
what shall say andwhat shall claim when
ranch WASHINGTON Our goYernmcnt has