Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-04-04


/ cannot hope to reach the ears of all, but l
have come at the call of the people of Ander'
son., MOTTO inaugurate political campaign /;
not to speak on political issues; not to indl-
cate to you who should be candidates in the
next election; but come to thank you for
the past and to renew here the pledges made
two years ago. The Governor reviewed at
some length the history of the campaign, the
occupation of the State House, and the dan
gers which at one time threatened to involve
the country in common ruin he recalled
the facts connected with itfe history of the
lew and collection of the voluntary ten per
cent. tax, and declared that the people res.
bonded 80 literally that he was. compelled to
stop the collection, because he received more
money than was needed-S142,000 in all.
"When the Legislature adjourned | was LETT
without single State officer of our ticket in
stalled in Office. The State House was in
the possession of United States troops, and
Chamberlain was in the Executive Chamber
guarded by their bayonets, and with every
one of his officers in their respective depart
ments.H n Twas left alone, ilike aGnariner in
an unknown sea, without chart, compass or
experience had nothing to guide me but
nv hope for Sonth Carolina and my reliance
in the Justice of Almighty God! l knew that
one single false step would make us lose all
we had fought for; that five committed mis-
takes then, the evil results would be irrepara-
BILE. I had not the Legislature or State Of
fcers to help me, and had to rely on my own
Judgment as to what was right If made
mistakes, bear in mind that [ was working
for the sole purpose of trying to redeem South
Carolina. and had no aid. After l called to
my assistance those whom you elected with
me. say to you that if made any mistake,
Simpson and Connor, and Youmans and Ha-
good. and Noise and Leaphart made mis-
takes too. From the day of the election un-
til this present time, there has been DO single
question or pledge involving the shadow OF
difference between US. If mistakes were made
we all shared in them, and know that the
people are willing in their abundant charity
to forget the errors in the effort to DO good
for South Carolina" [Applause. Nov,
he continued, "there is another point wish
to speak to you about, because there have
been mutteriugs all over the North indicating
that we had made some kind of bargain by
which we went into Office. Itell you inreply,
and tell you the solemn truth, there was not
shadow of bargain, compromise or under
standing even, with any one on the face of
this earth looking to compromise OF the
rights of the people of South Carolina"
The Governor next recounted the circum.
stances of his visit to Washington, and his
interview with President Hayes On this lat
ter point he was equally plain in regard to
charges of compromise. II went to Wash
inston,' he said, "when invited there by the
President, and after having first written to
him that had nothing to ask. went out
of proper respect for him and his high posi-:
tion. When I met him | repeated to him, L
have nothing to ask of you except to remove
those troops out of the State House because 1t
is in direct violation of the Constitution that
they profane that place. ask you to re-
move them, and if my government is not
strong enough to stand, let it fall do Mr..
Hayes the justice to say that he had too much
respect for himself, the people of South Car
oina and me, to propose even compromise
or ANYTHING like it. And as there was no
compromise with the President, there Was
none with our predecessors in office. have
never spoken to Mr.. Chamberlain but once.
and never expect to speak to him again; and
I tell you now that, if that committee had
been able to find the evidence duplicating
him with those frauds, he would have been
sent for to stand his trial, and all the leaders
of that party who may be proved guilty shall
have to come here and stand their trials be-
fore the people of South Carolina. that we
NAV show to the world the evidence of their
actions. l shall have them tried even if they
are pardoned an hour after conviction, for it
is right that they should be tried. But while
I think the leaders, those who so msled and
corrupted our colored people, should he pun
ished, | confess that think now that the
wisest craftsmanship is in the largest amnesty.
We want peace; we want it here, and We
want the United States to stop the indict-
ments against our people; and I believe, if
we can give general amnesty, except to the
leaders here. it will be reciprocated by the
President, and we shall have like amnesty for
our own people, who stand charged with riot
and violating the revenue laws. | want the
men who have been drawn from our State to
come back and the carpet-baggers to stay
away forever. [Applause.l
"And while I am on that subject, it may
not be improper for me to touch on the ma.
tional politics of the country. do not think
it is just or right. or manly, to be deuouncing
President Hayes as fraud. voted against
him, did all could against him, and told
him 80 in his presence, when I addressed thou
sands of people on that Western trip. There
was fraud in that election, but President
Hayes was not implicated in that fraud, and
he did what any other man in America would
have done in his position. He had no pur-
pose in the Electoral Commission. The
Democrats proposed it. And, while speak
for Mr.. HAYES, I desire to say for myself now,
that when that commission was first formed,
was the only man in South Carolina who
declared that we would be cheated out Of our
election. Hayes and Tilden's claims were
submitted to that commission, which decided
bv strict party vote-eight to seven-that
Hayes was elected Mr.. Hayes could do
nothing else but take his place, and if he had
not taken it, Wheeler and Ferry would have
done so. and each one would have been worse
than the other. And since Mr. Hayes has
taken that place, he has shown himself a man
willing to rise above party, and, Democrat as
am, l will sustain him as long as he walks on
that line. They may proclaim that | am not
a Democrat; but will support him as long
as he continues to observe the Constitution
because he is the first president of the United
States who has done so since the war"
The Governor next commended Anderson
county for setting good example in the
matter Of primary elections, and then said in
reference to independent candidates: "Let
your men 60 into these primary elections and
choose the best men you can find, whether
they want to be candidates or not. Make