The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-06-13
Hampton in tho Senate.

Hampton in the Senate. r- Z.
WAsu,Soros, June 5.--The Senate, by vote
Of yeas 20 nays 19, took up the bill reported
yesterday by Senator Bayard, from the Judici-
AIRY committee, relating to juries and 10 the re,
peal of Sections 8Ol, $40 and S2l Of the Revised
Statutes. p h-
Senator Hampton, OF South Carolina, after
briefly supporting this bill, proceeded to speak
upon the general political issues of the session.
lie could not Claim tospoak as the leader OF his
party, nor would he try TO shield himself from
the consequences of his actions behind any par
ty. If the policy supported by him was revo-
lutionary and reasonable, he was revolution
list and traitor. But what policy is before Con-
gress worthy Of such charger
Continuing, Senator Hampton said by no
vote Of mine will the appropriations necessary
for the efficient maintenance OF the army De re.
fused. II is competent for Congress to declare
under what limitations and conditions approprt-
ations shall be made. The form in which TINS
il done regard immstcrial. In my Judgment
IL would have been best TO adhere to the general
form, but to secure unsnimity l shall acquiesce
in the decisions of the majority but in no event
can consent to aid in disbanding the army or
impairiug its efficiency. 1t is the army OF the
South as we'll as Of the North. 1t is the army
of whole country. In its history from the days
of the Revolution have some reason, by right
of my birth and blood, to be proud. In the late
civil contest on many bloody fields tested its
yalor, and no word or net Of mine shall depreci-
nte its valor' and lesson its usefulness; but be-
cause so regard il no net of mine shall tend to
degrade it. 1 will not so legislate thai against
its own honorable instincts and traditions 1t
shall be an instrument of tyranny in the hands
of any factious party, or any unscrupulous Elk
ecutive who may desire it. Nor shall assent,
because of any difference of opinion between
the minority and majority, to close the courts OF
Justice or embarrass the life of the Government.
The Constitution has provided means by which
an appeal to the country can be had, and 1t Is
for the people to decide whether the Presiden-
tial veto has been wisely used to defeat the VIII
of Congress, which represents the majority OF
the people.
Senator Hampton proceeded to say that he
had no intention to embarrass the Admlnistra-
tion and, although he considered the provisions
Of the bill lust, he recognized the difficult posi-
ton in which the Executive found himself. He
said that his people remembered that in II criti'
cal period Of their history, when any lnJNAl:
cious action wnvL5 CONSTRUCTION Of his duty re.
moved United States troops from Louisiana and
South Carolina, and thus enabled the people to
restore their local government to those who rep
resented the popular will For this wise and
patriotic action he was grateful, and while it
would be his duty to oppose the policy of which
the President was the representative, that oppo.
stion would not be captious nor such as to drive
the President into coalition with those who
pie in their struggle to retain power.
Senator Hampton said that his party was de-
nounced for wishing to restrict Federal use Of
the troops, but men high in the Republican par
ty, whose words he quoted, had also pointed
out and denounced the danger and abuses of
such use. 1t was not the immediate action of
the army that he feared, but the ultimate effect
of its misuse, and he would oppose any legisa-
iion giving the General Government power to in
terferc in any way with elections. Better have
turbulence in one or two great cities than milli-
tary despotism in the whole country. 1t has
been complained that Confederate officers were
sent here as legislators. Nearly every man in
the South bore arms, and she could hardly be
blamed for trusting her interest in peace to
those who riskcd their lives and fortunes for her
in war. lie thought that if the North had hon
ored in like manner those who fought her bat
Ties the legislation of the country would not be
cmbttered by the revival of sectional hate. If
the North was sincere in inviting the Southern
States to return to the Union, sue should be
glad they sent their best and most honored men
TO represent them. The South had no apology
TO make for the past, and to recall that past now
is not in the interest of that harmony for which
the whole country longs. The South asks to
Nave stricken from the statute books laws which
are the product of distrust much as were the
armies and natives. If you asked, us, said he,
to ceme back as States, treat us as States. Join
hands with us to establish National liberty as un
1crstood by our fathers.
senator Hamptoa's address aroused frequent
applause in the galleries.
TIE BEHAVIOR OF THE RADICAL LEADERS WHILE
lie SPOKE.
WAsuINGToN, June 5.-Thc event of to-day at
the Capitol was Governor Ilanptons speech
upon the political issues of the session. As he
has just delivered it, l have had no opportunity
of hearing more than casual expressions of
opinion in regard TO it. All Of these, however,
have been of the most complimentary character
the wisdom, moderation and Justice of the