The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-04-09
Hampton at Anderson.

quire Of US TO apology for laying before
them the speech made by Gov, Hamp>
ton at Anderson on the 9th ultimo. 1t
sounds the keynote Of the next cam
paign. and every patriotic citizen will
read i, and inculcatc the lesson it teach
es:
Nv friends of AnderSon--lf my voice
could reach this vast crowd, and give
ptterance to The emotion that fil my
breast, could not thank you adequate
ly for this hearty welcome and great
demonstration | came not 10 inaugu-
rate the political campaign; came not
to dictate to yor who should be your
candidates for Office in the coming cam.
paicn. 1 come to meet the people OF
Anderson and to express to them my
thanks for the unanimous support rem
dered me in the campaign inaugurated
at this place, to remind them of the
pledges made two years ago. The flag
they then placed in NY hands on that
bright September day was carrie d sue
cessfully and peacefully throughout tn"
State, and was placed vic'oriously upon
the capitol at Columbia. 1t was the
most startling campaign in the history
Of this country. 1t was because you.
the people of Anderson, came out then
in your determination 10 succeed that
victory crowned our efforts. When |
saw stalwart men who stood By me on
the battle field enlis,ing in that cause;
when l heard men. women and children
shouting the battle cry Of freedom,
said that we would be successful. then
determined to be true to the people who
inauguratcd this grand movement. You
know the result. and all that followed;
and that though We passed through the
whole State, and through every county
Of the State, there was no blood>hed, no
riot no disturbance; no, not even hSt
fight. The people dedicated themselves
to the service as they would to the SER
vice of their God. When on the 7th OF
November the news was flashed across
the wires that we had been successful
in our efforts to redeem South Carolina,
when we knew that peaceful victory
was perched upon our banner, we looked
about us and found armed troops taking
possession of tho capitol building; the
legislative halls were filled with United
States troops; the legal House of Rep
resentatives were kept out Of their place
of meeting at the point Of the bayonet,
and the Office of Governor was occupied
by man who had not been elected. 1t
looked then as if the country would be
deluccd in blood, and revolution inau-
gurated, for the people were determined
not to be cheated out Of their rights l
knew that we hal won the victory, aud
said that we should secure the fruits OF
it. or have a military government. Ii
but single shot had been fired in CO.
lumbia civil war would have begun, and
would have spread not only over this
State. but over all the country. Blood
would have flowed like water. l knew
that if a revolution was begun that re-
publican government would 90 down to
bloody grave, and our hopes as ireem"n
forever destroyed. At this critical time
I appealed to a people who had been
faithful to me SO long to trust me little
longer. And they did trust me. and
whatever may befall inc hereafter, | am
amply compensated for all that | have
had to endure. om not able to tell Ill
that tranepired during that time. The
lower House Of the Legislature was not
allowed to take possession Of their hall,
ard therefore could pass no laws We
determined to call for Il contribution OF
ten pcr cent. Of the Tax paid the year
previous. now tell you for the first
time that [ have ever told it in public
that we expected about sl30, 900, but
we received S142, 600. The people paid
more than their quota, and had to stop
the collection. We had more money
than We wanted, as it was used only for
State purposes, and the State officers
did not propose to steal II.
was left alone at the adjournment oI
the Legislature. without an officer IN his
position. while Chamberlain and his sub.
ordinatcs were in possession of the gov
ernmcrt upheld and supported by the
United States army. | was left like Il
mariner sailing ia the dark on an un-
Laamn CO., NTH nnthinn IN rnida ING