The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-04-12
Hampton Practically a Republican.


by some Republicans as concession Of
rights not warranted by the laws Of the
State or the Constitution. 1t is conceded by
most men that 1t ends strife and conflict,
and consequently the jeopardy OF the lives
of the colored people. From whatever cause
turmoil and collision occurred, it is known
that the result was nearly always summed
up in the announcement that so many ne
groes had been killed or wounded. 1t was
rare that any one was arrested for such
crimes, and there is no instance OH record
where the offenders have been punished by
process of law. There are laws upon the
statute book of that State for the punish
ment of murder, but there seemed to be no
power under Republican local administra :
ton to enforce them. Passion grasped the
reins of license in its hands, and defied stat
utes aud official batons. 1t reveled in its
own embittered and unchecked liberties,
disordered society, paralyzed government,
Frustrated industry, and heaped up desola-
ton. For all these, the Republicans we're
held responsible, because they were nomi-
nally in power. State credit disappeared,
the public schools were suspended, and rifle
clubs and white leagues gave the practical
law that subordinated legislative enact
ments and resolves. We may say briefly
that chronic anarchy afflicted the State.
Mr.. Hampton assumes control of that
Commonwealth, with tie promise to correct
these great grievances, which his own party
had mainly caused. He assumes it, too,
| with the assurance and pledge that all the
Republicans have ever contended for shall
be faithfully carried out. Whatever may
have been the venal practices of public Off
GERS before, the Republican party o: the
country had no sympathy with them. Re-
publicans believe now, that if Gov. Cham
berlain had been allowed to exercise the func-
| tons of the Executive office of that State,
and the people there would have CO operated
with him in instituting reform and good
government, he would have worked out the
salvation of South Carolina. Had they given
| him the same assistance that 1t is reasonable
to suppose they will give Hampton, there is
little doubt but benefcent results would
have been consummated. But this they
would not do.
Mr.. Hampton takes charge of public af-
fairs. He does so, with the promise to car
ry out the principles and policy of the Re-
publican party to the very letter of the law
to secure to the colored people all their
rights; to establish and foster the public
schools, and to cooperate with the Presi-
dent in the policy of Cancellation that he is
seeking to inaugurate. Gov. Hampton has
solemnly pledged himself and his people to
give practical effect to the 18th, 18th and
18th amendments to the Constitution to re-
spect every immunity of the citizen with
out regard to race, color, or previous condi-
ton, and direct his administration to the
elevation of the moral and intellectual stand
ard of the colored people.
1t cannot be doubted, by reasonable men,
that he will have it in his power to do more
for his State and people, sustained as he will be
by the wealth aud intelligence of the Com
monwealth, than Gov. Chamberlain could
possibly have done, with this following an
tagonizing him. If then, Mr.. Hampton is
true to his promises, (and we do not doubt
it, his administration will be simply an eff
cient aid to the President in giving rracti-
cal, active effect to the laws as they are and
the Constitution as it is. The administra-
ton abandons none of the distinctive princi-
Piles and obligations Of the Republican party.
1t only recognizes a new, and heretofore an
tagonizirg, instrumentality to carry them
out. Mr.. Chamberlain, the man, gives way
to Mr.. Hampton, the man, with the national
laws as his guide, and the assurance that he
will do more to give them practical effect
than Mr.. Chamberlain has heretofore been
able to do. He will protect the rights, the
property and the lives of the colored people
as well as the white. He will sec that not
one legal privilege is denied them-that stat
ute laws do not discriminate against them,
and that perfect freedom is guaranteed in
the exercise of every right that local and ma
tional laws secure.
Mr.. Hampton comes into power under
|
assumes all the responsibility that Gov.
Chamberlain relinquishes, and to all in:ents
and purposes is as much Republican Gov
ernor, as Chamberlain would have been.
Whatever nominalism he may prefer, if he is
true to his pledges, his administration must
be practically Republican-must enforce the
laws which are part and parcel of the Re-
publican creed.
With peace throughout that State, and the
administration of Hampton faithful to the
policy and principles he has voluntarily de-
clared, the rights of all will be secured,
crimes will be punished, and good govern
ment, based upon the principles of the Re.
publican party, prevail.
Hampton must be a Republican, whether
he recognizes the name or not, or he must
| be false to as solemn assurances as were
ever given by man.