The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1882-12-15
THE INAUGURATION.
A cuAsrE AND IMpRE ssIvE cEnEMo,

CuaSrE AND IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY.
The Reception Of the Senate by the House
The Inaugural Observation-Disclosures
ing The OdM-A Happy Omen-Thc
Lieutenant Governor Takes the Oath
Profound Attention Oft Vast Assem-.
Jldge-The End
COLUMBIA, December 5-As the hour for
the inauguration of Governor Thompson
approached the utmost confusion prevailed
on the floor fthe House. A steady stream
of beautiful women and distinguished citi-
zens passed through the door of the hail.
occupying every foot ofspace on either side
of the. Speakers stand and crowdiug the
side aisles to their fullest capacity, wk;'o
outside the bar of the House solid mass of
humanity patiently awaited the imposing
Ceremonies Of the oecnsion. The galleries
were thronged with ladies and gentlemen
The arrangements had been admirably
ma lie, and at forty minutes past o'clock
at the rap ofthe Speakers ivory gavel the
House arose to receive the honorable Senate,
who occupied seats in tho middle aisle.
Five minutes later the sergeant alarms of
the Senate, bearing tho mace which had
been brightly FURNISHED for the occasion,
appeared at the bar Of the House, when Col.
Brown, the sergeant. at>arms of the House,
announced in clear, ringing voice, "His
Excellcncy the Governor lect and his es.
cort." The speaker said: "Let the Gov~
ernor elect and his escort be admitted"
the joint Assembly rising and receiving
them standing
First came the sergeants>at. arms of the
two houses, who were followed ty the com-
mittee of arrangements, Senators Howell
and Henderson, and Representatives Liv.
ingston, Simonton and Mauldiu. Then fol.
lowed Governor Hagood and Governor. elect
Thompson, Chief Justice Simpson and
eutenant>Governor>clect Shcppdad, Asso.
ciate Justices McIver and McGowau, Judge
Bryan of the United States cour; and Judge
Fraser OF the Third Circuit, Mayor Courte-
nay of Charleston aud Mayor Rhctt of CO.
lumbia, Attorney General Youmans and his
successor, Mr.. Miles, Comptroller General
Bratton and his successor, Mr.. Stoney, Sec
rotary of State Sims and his successor, Mr..
Lipscomb, State Treasurer Richardson and
Superintendent Of Education Coward, Rail.
road COMMISSIONS Bonham, Agricultural
Commissioner Butler and Adjutant> Gen
eral Mauigault. The Judges of the Su.
preme Court wore their robes of office, as
did also the presiding officers and clerks of
the two houses The Governor, the Gov.
ernor elect, the Lieutenant Governor elect
aud tho Chief Justice were seated upon tho
stage at the Speakers desk, and their ac.
companying guests were seated at the right
Of the desk on the floor of the House.
The speaker announced that Governor
alect Thompson Was present and ready. to
qualify. The oath Of Office was then at |
minutes of 2 o'clock administered to Col.
Thompson by Chief Justice Simpson,
amidst profound silence
The weather opened this morning with A
dense fog, which prevailed long after the
sun had risen aud cast sombre shadow
over everything. 1t is taken as a good
omen that just as the oath of office was being
administered to Col. Thompson a flood of
sunlight burst through the crimson curtains
at the rear of the Speakers stand, heigh,cn:
ing the impressiveness of the scene and
falling upon the splendid figure of the new
Chief Magistrate like a blessed 5encdiction
from above. 1t added deeper awe.to the
occasion and hushed the multitude into q
more solemn silence.
After taking the oath Governor Thomp.
son stepped to the front of the desk and dc
livered his inaugural address, the utmost or.
der prevailing.
INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
Sendtors and Representatives In obe-
dience to the voice of the people of the State,
as expressed in the recent elec ion, | appear
before you to assume the duties of Governor
of South Carolina. The same voice which
has called me to this office has called you to
positions Of trust which impose upon you
duties and responsibilities not less important
than those which belong to the Chief Exc
cutive of the State.
The welfare and prosperity of South Car
olna, now and in the future, will depend
in large measure upon the manner in which
we meet the requirements Of our several DO
sitions. We come to the control cf the
affairs of the State at a fortunate time and
under favorable circumstances.
The results Of the recen ut elections in
several Of the States Of this Union are full
Of promise, as indicating q resolve on tn.
part OF the people to secure q more rigid
adherence to those great principles upon
which Republican institutions must rest 4,
~n1 a"a;-n Gov Tho ..~~.---.:-- 80 .,,uou
Practices which marked the administration
OF government in the early days of this Re-
public. refer TO the results of these
elections, not as the triumph of political
party, but as the evidences of popular re-
volt against abuses Of the powers of govern
ment.
How far the changes in public opinion
thus expressed shall be permanent, will
depend upon tho manner in which those
who have been called to positions of trust
shall make use of the power committed to
them.