The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-06-12
HAMPTON IN THE SENATE.
Words of Peace from the Carolina States
nHIl.
WAsHINGroN, June 5.

~, took up the bill reported yesterday
by Senator Bayard, from the judiciary
committee, relating TO juries and to the
repeal of Sections sol, $40 and S2l of
the Revised Statutes.
Senator Hampton, of South Carolina,
after briefly supporting this bill, pro-
ceeded TO speak upon the general polili-
cal issues of the session. He could not
claim to speak as the leader of his party,
nor would he try to shield himself from
the consequences of his actions behind
any party. If the policy supported by
him was revolutionary and reasonable,
he was reyolutionist and traitor. But
what policy is bcforo congress worthy of
such charge
Continuing, Senator Hampton laid {:
l3y no vote of mine will the appropra-
tions necessary for the efficient main
tenance Of the army be refused. 1t is
competent for Congress to declare under
what limitations and conditions appro-
priations shall be made. The form in
which this is done regard immaterial.
In my judgment it would have been best
to adhere to the general form, but to Sc
cure unanimity shall acquiesce in the
decisions of the majority but in no
event can l consent to aid in disbanding
the army or impaiTing its efficiency 1t
is the army of the South as we'll as of
the North. 1t is the army of the 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 OH many bloody
fields tested its valor, and no word or
act OF mine shall depreciate its yalor and
lessen its usefulness: but because / SO
regard it no act of mino snail tend to
degrade 1t. l will not SO legsate that
against its own honorable instincts and
traditions it shal. be an instrument of
tyranny in the hands Of any factious
party, o. ahy INSCRIPTIONS Executive
who may desire it. Nor shall assent.
because of any difference of opinion be-
tween the minority and majority, to
close the courts of justice or emba,rass
the life of the Government The Con-
stitution has provided means by which
an appeal to the country can be had, and
1t is for the people to decide whether the
Presidential veto has been wisely used
to defeat the will OF Congress, which
represents tho majority OF the people.
Senator Hampton proceeded to say
that he had no intention to embarrass
the Administration, and, although he
considered the provisions of the bill lust,
he recognized the difficult position in
which the Executive found himself. He
said that his people remembered that in
critical period of their history, when
any injudicous action would have been
fatal, the President by conscientious
construction of his duty removed United
States troops from Louisiana and South
Carolina, and thus enabled the people
to restore their local government TO those
who represented 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 Presi-
dent was the representative, that opposi-
ton would not be captious nor such rs
to drive the President into coalition with
those who would madly trampie on the
rights OF the people in their struggle to
retain power.
Senator Hampton said that his party
was denounced for wishing to restrict
Federal use of the troops, but men high
in the Republican party, whose words
he quoted, had also pointed out and de-
nounced 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 legislation giving the General Gov
ernment power to interfere in any way
with elections. Better have turbulence
in one or two great cities than military
despotisnn in the whole country. Ii has
been complained that Confederate Off
GERS were sent here as Legislators. Nearly
evcry man in the South bore arms, and
she could hardly be blamed for trusting
her interests III peace TO those who riskeG
their lives and fortunes for her in war.
de thought that if the North had hon.
ored in like manner those who fought
her battles, the legislation of the coun-
try would not be embittered by the re-
vival of sectional hate. If the North
was sincere in inviting the Southern
States to return to the Union, she 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 have stricken from the statute
books laws which are the product of dis
trust as much as were the armies and
navies. If you asked us, said he, to
come back as States, treat us as States.
Join hands with us TO establish National
liberty as understood by our fathers.
Senator liampton's address aroused
frequent applause in the galleries.
THE SPEECH OF SENATOR BAYARD.
Senator Bayard then spoke at length
in support of the bill. He condemned
the action of the President in criticising.
as he had done in his veto message. the
methods and practices of Congress, and
said it was not incumbent upon the
President to interest himself in parlia.
mcntary reforms. He then referred to
the Federal jury laws, explained their
working. and pointed on. The absurditv
OF allowing ex-Confederates to hold the
highest Office under the government and
at the same time excluding them from
the jury box. The present bill, he said,
was framed to secure perfect impartiality
in the formation of juries TO try political
cases, where such impartiality is of the
greatest Importance. He said that the
veto power was given to the President to
prevent the passage of bad bills through
lnadyertence or design. Such was not
the case with the present bills. They
represent the sober second thought OF
the American people, and the people
will finally be called to pass Judgment
upon the issues nov raised. Ia the
meantime the first duty of the majority
is to supply everything needed for the
support of the government, but our duty
is not to be taught us by harrassing.
obstructive Executive. 1t is an obliga-
ton resting on us by virtue of our oaths.
Senate. Bayard then said that the eff
fort to misrepresent the Democratic party