The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-06-20
Vol, New SERl1lEs.,
. y. UNION Hs SOUTH caRoEfs3 3.5uNr 2o s7a
HAMPToN,s GREAT SPEECH.

~ MIR. Hampton Mr.. President. I beg TO
acknowledge my obligation to che sonator
from Delaware (Mr, Bayard0 for the ,cour-
tesy which enables me. to submit a few re.
marks to the Senate and in taking up the
bill which he has laid before the Senate. I
do not propose to discuuss it specially:
rather prefer to make general remarks nm.
on the subjects which lave been under dis.
cussion during this session. ~E' e5'a
The main reason why T 10 not desire to
speak particularly to this bill is that I q can /
iaerdly suppose there is o senator on this
! 11ns t6 - vpaesagas, sfs 81
stsik ikse1 o. the eistqte b6ok ono sof ths
most Infamous laws which have ever dis.
graced legislation. 1t is simply to strike
on law which was placed there, if not by
mistake, by fraud, aud therefore do not
:eei that it is necessary for me to enter into
the discussion further than simply to give
an illustration of how the present law can
be used to tyraunize over the people of the
country.
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 district attorney had
been in the Confederate Army the assis-
tant attorney had likewise been in that
army. They Of course could not take the
test oath. Aud yet when the jurors were
brought up every Democrat had that oath
applied to him; while all men who were
not Democrats, men who had served through
the whole war, if they we're Republicans,
were allowed to take their places upon that
jury without having the oath administered
to them. l think it is not necessary to
say anything more to show the impropriety,
TO say the least, of allowing law of that
sort to stand.
There are many reasons which make me
reluctant to obtrude my views on the Senate
at this time. recognize fully the propri-
ETY. Of that unwritten rule of the Senate
which imposes silence upon the new and
inexperienced members of this body until
they have become familiar by association
with the experience oftheir older and wiser
colleagues. The physical disability under
which labor not only makes all exertion
painful to me, but units me to do Justice
either to the great questions now pending
or to myself, aud I cannot, therefore, ad-
dress, the Senate at length Nor is is NO.
ccssary to do so. Argument, rhetoric, in
vective and denunciation have been ex-
hausted byour opponents, and 1 can scarcely
hope that any utteranccs of mine will allay
the prejudices which have been aroused or
carry conviction to the minds of the peo-
pie.
These are potent reasons to enforce nv
silence, and under ordinary circumstances
1 should have adhered to my determination
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 ordi.
nary importance, aud the toae and temper
of the debate, which has been prolonged
through weeks of vehement and angry de-
nunoiation, 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 I place upon record my
earnest protest against the injustice and the
unfairness with which wo have been
treated.
The Presid int pro tempore: The Chair
would state to the Senator from South Car.
olina that if at any time it would be more
convenient for him to speak sitting he is at
perfect liberty to do so.
Mr.. Hampton thank you, sir.
Day after day have we listened while
senators Of great reputation, high ability,
and whose words are the creed Of thousands
Of conscientious and patriotic citizens have
denounced the opinions and actiops of
Southern men as revolutionary aud treason
able. 1t has been declared that the Dem.
ocratic caucus rules the Senate, and that
the Southern members rule the caucus, die.
tating the policy to be pursued. The able
and distinguished senator from Ohio (Mr.
Thurmau) with equal truth, justice and
candor has, it is true, met and refuted that
Charge by assuming for the Northern and
Western Democracy the responsibility Of
the present political situation. But in spite
of this generous assumption of responsible
ity on his part, the truth still remains that
We Of the South do make the Democratic
majority in this Chamber, and we are thus
as responsible for what we approve and sup
port as for what we suggest. have not
the presumption to make any claim to lead.
ership here, but while not attempting to
lead it is my duty TO know where aud whom
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