The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-09-26
GOVERNOR HAMPTON.
HIs Speech at Greenvlllo.
csue,pandeuee Ne,p, und Courier.

Correspondence Netcs and Courier.
And in this connection I must enter
my most emphatic dissent to the views
expressed by Gen. Gary at the recent
meeting here, and in his card in reply
to Gen. Gray. These views believe to
be inconsistent with the true policy of
the Democratic party. say they do
not represent the opinions fyour stand
ard-bearers, nor of the Democratic party
of South Carolina, and that he was not
authorized to speak for your nominees.
+ believe that it Was the conservative
character OF the last campaign, as con-
tradistinguished from what he calls an
aggressive" one, that enabled US to
carry the State. I believe that the ap-
peals made to the colored citizens by
men in whom they had confidence
brought thousands to our support, and
the evidence Of this is found in the fact
that many more thousands will 60 with
us in the coming election. They realize
that they have been honestly dealt with.
They recognize that all their rights have
been unimpairsd, and they appreciate
the blessing, of peace and increased pros.
perity which have followed the inaugu-
ration of Democratic rule.
Gen. Gary speaks of the mode in
which he desired to conduct the canvass
as "the Mississippi plan." Now there
are grave misapprehensions in regard to
the plan by which the gallant Mis,issip-
plans carried their State, and by slan-
der propagated by some unprincipled
partisan papers this plan has most falsely
been called "the shotgun policy" No
greater injustice could have been done to
q brave and patriotic people than the
effort thus made to stiglnatize their heroic
efforts to save their State. In one sense
their canvass was aggressive as ours was.
They met the plunderers of their State at
every point 20 denounce their corruption
before the people. They devoted them
selves, as did our people, heart and mind,
to the greas work Of saving their State,
and they appealed to all honest voters to
aid them in their patriotic undertaking.
In the District represented in Congress
by the distinguished gentleman, Gen.
Chalmers, there is much larger colored
majority than in any District of this
State, and ylt he overcame that majority
by close and Jealous canvass, appealing
to the colored men in earnest, c0nserva-
tive and effective addresses. And what
has been the result! Only q few days
ago saw the report Of an interview had
with him, in which the question was
asked: What he would do if the Repub-
licans sent speakers to his District to
oppose his re-electionf He did not
threaten to Ku-Klux them or to intiuai-
date them he did not say that he would
resort to the Shotgun policy" but he
said that he would give those visitors a
cordial welcome; that he would offer
them every facility to meet his constitu-
ents, and that he would have them met
everywhere by colored Democratic
speakers.
This il tho best commentary on the
Mississippi plan, and that plan I am
willing to adopt. If carried out honestly
its results will be as beneficial here as
they have have been in our sister State
of Mississippi; but in the name of our
civilization snd of all that has been hon
orable in South Carolina, in the name
of our State and of our God, protest
against any resort to violence, or wrong,
CT any adoption of the Shotgun policy W
We cannot do evil that good may come
oft. Had we been 80 short-sighted as
to have endeavored to carry the State at
the last election by force or violence,
martial law would have been proclaimed,
and ne should now be under the hateful
rule of our oppressors. Such, at least, is
my deliberate judgment, and whatever
might have been the result of my mode
of canyassing it could scarcely have been
more auspicious for our people than that
wrought by the conservative plan we
pursued. Let US be satisfied and thank
full, and above all, let US not now forsake
the road which led us to victory in '76,
and which: if followed, will lead us to q
still greater victory in rs.
I take issue with the Senator from
Edgefeld on another point. In his card
to which reference has been made he
spoke in terms which seemed disparag-
ing to "the Hampton Democracy" I
have never assumed to myself the honor
of founding or attempting to found a
school of Democracy. am but simple
disciple of the great creed taught by
Jefferson, and illustrated by the highest
intellects and the purest patriots that the
country has produced.
have been and am content to follow
where the have led, without indulging
for moment in the presumption of try
ing to engrsft one article of faith on the
creed promulgated by the fathers-thst
creed which has given the brightest pages
to the history Of the country, and the
success of which can alone bring back
permanent peace, harmony and pros
perity to that country. Unjust, therefore,
disclaim the honor of giving my name to
any system Of Democracy, and l notice
this matter only on account OF the man.
ner in which General Gary speaks of the
champion Democracy"
If he means by the language he has
used to insiauate that the proud banner
of our party has boen lowered in my
hands; or If he intended to reflect upon
myself personally or officially, / pro-
nounce the imputation as unfounded as
it is impertient. 1t has never been my
custom to t3uch upon personal matters
in addressing my fellow-citizens. 1 have
left my justification against adverse criti-
cism to the results which have been ac-
complished, feeling assured that my con-
stituents, appreciating the difficulties
which have surrounded me, would al
ways give me- credit at least for an honest
purpose to promote the best interests of
the State.
1 do not know that there Is any other
point on which I should detain you, and
+ find the fatigue of speaking is much
greater than I expected. will, however,
say one word upon the dangers which are
threatening our party. The greatest of
these, in my apprehension, is that of an
Independent movement. He who sets
up his own judgment as rule Of action,
and refuses to act in full and perfect