Morning journal and courier., 1880-05-15
SENATOR HAMPTON's SPEECH.

Senator Wade Hampton's speech in answer | to Ben Hills attempt to persuade the Senate to go back on it's own decision and unssat Senator Kellogg is not the least among the notable speeches of the session. In this speech Senator Hampton reviewed the cir cumstances of Kellogg's election and admis- sion and then declared that the Senate's deci- sion, could not be reviewed without violating we'll settled legal principles and establishing the dangerous doctrine that the tenure of any Senator depended solely on the will of the majority. If this case could be reheard now, there was nothing to prevent it from being reheard at each session, or as often as a con testant asserted that he had discovered new evidence. There must be some end to the contest or there would be permanent chaos. The Senate was governed by the rules which govern other tribunals of last resort, and did not possess the lawful power to reverse de- cision of this kind. This is sound doctrine and it was ably set forth by Senator Hampton, and also by Senator Carpenter, who followed him.
 But the main importance and significance of the speech consists in the fact that it was made at all, and it is this fact, and Senator Hampton's explanation of his reasons for talk
 ing the course he did, that do him the most credit. Hill had devoted his argument espe- cially to the purpose of making it disagreeable and impossible for any Southern Democrat to oppose his project, and particularly ad- dressed himself to the South Carolina Senators, having good reason to suspect that they were not disposed to support his project. He plainly intimated that if they failed to stand by him they would be recreant to their State aud betrayers of its honor. Senator Hampton in opposition to this talk planted himself firmly upon his convictions of right and duty. He alluded to his relations with the people of Louisiana, and his consciousness that his course was contrary to what they would like to have him do in this matter. While all his personal and political sympathies were en- listed in thair behalf, he nevertheless could not justify himself in deciding such a matter as this on grounds of personal sentiment or political advantages, but must act as Sena- tor of the United States, bound to obey the Constitution and serve the right, leaving the conse quenees to Providence and to time, which would ultimately correct all wrongs. His l reference to Senator Hills attempt to instruct him what he ought to do to uphold the honor of South Carolina was a telling oue II | thank the Senator from Georgia" he said, fsfor his denunciation as islanders of ths whis- pers which seek to destroy the character of the most highly honored State in the Union in the days of the past. thank him for the deep solicitude be manifests for the honor of South Carolina and of her Senators. I assure him that the honor of my State is as dear to me as my own. It has been the earnest ef- 1 fort of my life to maintain it unsullied in peace and in war. have fought under her
 palmetto flag on bloody fields when that flag foated side by side with that of Georgia, | borne by the honorable Senator's | knishtIy colleague General Gordon), who stands before me with the scars of battle prominent on his face. In those dark days, when it was not my good | fortune to enjoy what I now do, the benefit of the precept and example of the Senator from Georgia (Hil did not go to war;, up- held as we'll as could the honor of my State, and trust shall not prove recreant to it now. The people of South Carolina can best judge how their honor is guarded here, and | should it ever be my misfortune to misrepre- sent or disappoint them in any way, having the courage to follow my convictions, they will at least say
 | He braved the shafts of cenmre and of shame"
 The revolt against the Bourbonism of some
 would be leaders of the Democratic party in- dicated by this speech is most encouraging sign of the times. It will be well for the
 party and the country if it continues until
 Hill and those who think and act with him are completely suppressed. And it would also be we'll if Senators on both sides were al-
 ways to be found doing their duty as brave
 ly as Senator Hampton did his in this case.