The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-06-26
GOV. HAMpT0N,s SPEECH.
Full Text of the Able and Conservativ
Remarks Of the South Carolina Senator.

of the Revised Statutes of the United
States, relative to jurors in the United
States Courts being under consideration,
MIR. Hampton said:
Mr.. PRESIDENT: beg TO acknowl-
edge my obligations to the Senator from
Delaware Mr.. Bayard for the courtesy
which enables me to submit few re-
marks to the Senate; and in taking up
the bill which he has laid before the
Senate, l do not propose to discuss it
specially. l rather prefer to make gen.
eral remarks upon the subjects which
have been under discussion during this
session.
The main reason why I do not desire
10 speak particularly to this 5ill is that
can hardly suppose that there is a SEN
ator on this floor who will object tc its
passage. for it strikes from the statute
book one of the most infamous laws
which have ever disgraced legislation. It
is simply to strike off law which was
placed there, if not by mistake, by fraud,
and therefore do not feel that it is nee.
essary for me to enter into the discussion
further than simply to give an ilustra-
tion of how the present law can be used
to tyrannlze over the people of the coun-
try.
In the recent trials in the United
States circuit Court at Charleston, a
short time ago, jury was summoned.
One of the judges who was on the bench
could not take the test oath. The dis
trict attorney had been in the Confederate
army; the assistant attorney had like
wise been in that army. They of course
could not take the test oath. And vet
when the jurors were brought up every
democrat had that oath applied to him,
while all men who were not Demo-
Gratis, men who had served through the
whole war, if they were republicans,
were allowed to take their places upon
that jury without having the oath ad-
ministered to them. I think it is not
necessary to say anything more to show
the impropriety, to say the least, of al
lowing law of that sort to stand.
There are many reasons which make
ane reluctant to obtrude my views on the
Senate at this time. recognize fully
the propriety of that unwritten rule of
the Senate which imposes silence upon
the new and inexperienced members of
this body until they have become famil-
lar, by association, with the experience
Of their older !: sna s: :sise: colleagues. The
physical disability under which I labor
not only makes all exertion painful to
me, but units me to do justice either to
the grea. questions now pending or to
myself, and l cannot, therefore, address
the Senate at length. Nor is it necessary
to do,so. Argument, rhetoric, invective,
and denunciation have been exhausted
by our opponents, and l Can scarcely
hope that any utterances of mine will
allay the prejudices which have been
aroused, or carry conviction to the minds
of the people.
These are potent reasons to enforce nv
silence, and under ordinary circumstances
should have adhered to my determina-
ton to take NO part in the debates of
this session. But the subjects which
have engaged the attention of Congress
and of the country during the present
session are not of ordinary Importance,
and the tone and temper of the debate,
which has been prolonged through weeks
of vehement and angry denunciation,
impose upon the representatives of the
South at least The duty OF honest protest.
Against my wishes, therefore, and under
every disadvantage imposed upon me by
my physical condition, must, as one of
those representatives, ask the indulgence
OF the Senate while place upon record
my earnest protest against the unfairness
with which we have been treated.
The PRESIDENT pro tempore. The
Chair would state to the Senator from
South Carolina thatif at any time twould
be more convenient to him to speak sit
ting, be is at perfect liberty to do so.
Mr.. HAMPTON. thank you, sir.
Day after day we have listened while
Senators OF great reputation, high abili-
ty, and whose words are the creed of
thousands of conscientious and patriotic
citizens, have denounced the opinions
and the actions of southern men as rev.
olutionary and reasonable. 1t has been
declared that the Southern members rule
Q caucus, debating the policy to be
pursued. The able any distinguished
Senator from Ohio (Mr. Thurman) with
equal truth, justice, and candor has, it is
true, met and refuted that charge by as
suming for the northern and western
democracy the responsibility of the pres
ent political situation. But in spite of
this generous assuml On of rcsponsibili-
ty on his part, the truth still remains that
we of the South do make the democratic
maj .ty in this Chamber, and we are
thu, as responsible for what We approve
and support as for what we suggest. have
not the presumption to make any claim
to leadership here, but while not at
tempting to lead, it is my duty to
know where and whom follow, and for
any vote which may cast here I shall
never endeavor to shield myself from
responsibility behind any man or any
party. If the policy support is revolu.
tionary, l am the revoiutionist; if there
il treason in my vote, am the traitor.
But, sir, ask in all seriousness what
are the issues before the Senate to which
such language is appropriated I might
demand of Senators ON the other side
the proof that any action of ours was
revolutionary. / might open the Con.
stitution and reading its precise and EN-.
phatic definition CT treason, ask VINO OF
us is "levying war against the United
States or giving aid and comfort to their
enemies" or what overt act of violence
we are proposing to commit? But dc
not desire to make q mere technical ar.
gnment. desire to meet the accusation
in its spirit as we'll as in its letter What
are the issues before us? e, us under.
stand them distinctly. But irst let me
say what are not the issues we are dis
cussing. To me there is no question
there can be none, as to the propriety OF
making the appropriations necessary for
the support of the Government in all its
departments. Upon this point there
shall be no misapprehension of my posi-.
ton. BY no vote Of mine will the ap-
preparations necessary for the efficient
maintenance of the Army be refused. II
is competent for Congress to. declare un-
der what limitations and upon what con-