The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1877-11-20

tion aud the laws, for this sublime and
practical conception of our government
and the genius of our institutions Pres
dent Hayes has forever endeared him.
self to the hearts of the Southern pco-
pie, arrested the current Of feeling
which was running back upon the gen.
eral government, aud filed the breach
made by revolution and blood. Let him
bclo.g to whatever party he may, he
has by this act alone rendered u service
to the republic almost unparalleled in
its annals. and worthy the men who sat
in counsel with Adams and Jefferson,
Washington and Monroe.
But while these great events were
transporting upon the arena Of the ma
ton, there was being worked out within
the borders of our own State, under the
leadership of our noble Hampton. incl
dents no less thrilling and important
aud which helped to pave the way for
this national jubilee. The Democratic
Convention which met in Columbia in
its wisdom saw fit to select as their can
didatc for Governor, General Wade
Hampton, favorite son Of South Caro-
lima. The Republican party, amidst
the upheaval of its destructive aud dis
ordered clements, brought forward that
royal carpet Dagger, d. II. Chamberlain,
Hyperion to satyr." The one the
flag bearer of the intelligence, honesty
refinement, patriotism aud property of
the State. The other dragging darkly
along the way the chains heated 10 the
fiery furnace of passion, prejudice and
the direst hate. The one with the brow
Of Apollo, frank, open aud beaolins
with patriotism the other with the
irowu of Cain, whose offerings at the
altar of his country we're rejected by
genius of her civilization The one
who By his manly bearing, liberal SEN
timents and love Of country broke the
dark clouds of prejudice and passion
by which be was surrounded, and drew
upon himself the admiring gaze of the
nation; the other at the forge Of Vul-
can was welding instruments for his
coun,ry's ruin.
My fellow citizens, shall attempt to
draw a picture to you Of the condition
of our poor State at the opening Of this
campaign? Our people discouraged
and impoverished under long course of
oppression a1d wrong. Upon their
faces could be traced lines which, as an
inslcx to their hearts, showed that their
spirits were broken, and that they felt
they were standing upon the brink of q
fearful catastrophe. In the imperiled
state Of affairs they had lost confidence
in each other. 1t was almost im-
possible to collect together corporals
guard at any place of meeting, so tho
roughly dispirited had they become.
Such is but faint and imperfect out
line of the condition of affairs when
Gen. Hampton began his campaign.
Wiki the firm, unquiveriog nerve Of
the veteran and the warrior; with the
clear and far seeing perception OF the
statesman; with his great heart full to
OVERLOOKING over the wrongs Of his ma
tive State, big with patriotic emotions
and love Of country. ho resolved upon
her redemption. Hc gathered up the
smoulderiug ashes of her former self,
aud raised FIRE upon her affairs again
He re-dedicated her fanes and her tenn
pies. and invited her citizens to wor-
Ship again as they were wont to do. He
appealed to the memorie, OF her great
sons. whose deeds knew no death. He
claimed the battles they fought and
Won. lie pointed to the forums their 0io-
ouence had taken. With Carolina,
dear Carolina, his song begun. With
Carolina. dear Carolina, his theme did
eud. Ho aroused our people from
mountain 10 seatoard. The wells of
patriotism which he opened in the
mountains dashed against the hills,
overfowed the plains and expended
themselves at the seaboard. Old ocean
herself, in her deep-soundins murmurs
caught the inspiration of his theme.
With Damascus blade he entered the
densIofiniquity. and he broke the rings of
the robbers. My fellow citizens, our
State is redeemed and you are safe.
What need af gratitude Gun We offer to
our great dcliverer? | am no worship
er of heroes, but l can love a soul SO
great, SO grand, 80 true.
But in the midst Of this exultatlon,
it behoovcs you to guard carefully the
future. Remember that "the price OF
liberty is eternal vigilance" In these
organizations your safety depends; not
for oppression, but for protection. Re-
member that you are in the midst Of
a race; by nature different, towards
whom you should cultivate and exer-
cisc tho most liberal sentiments. But
remember that you must care for those
rights and those liberties which have
been so carefully handed down to you.
The chalice that holds them is sacred.
Remember through what seas you have
passed to reach the heaven where you
rest All is not done! You must
hand down to posterity a FURNISHED
escutcheon. upon which is eDgraven the
constitution your country, set therein,
'like apples Of gold in pictures ofsilver
Like the vestal virgins, you must keep
the fires upon your alters porpetually
burning, for Hampton may not be
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