The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-12-12
Inauguration Of Governor
Evans.
CoLuxB1A. s. c.. Dec. 4. '94.

CoLuMB1A, s. c.. Dec. 4, '94.
The youngest man who ever filled
the position Of chief executive Of the
Palmetto State was inaueurated to-day.
The house aud galleries we're full.
despite the cold. damp aud rainy
wea.her. At one o'clock the Senator'S
and members of the House had
assembled IN join. session aud they aud
the spectators had not long to wait
before the Sereeant-as-Arms of the
House announced that the Governor
elect aud his retinus were in the ante
room awaiting the pleasure of the
General Assembly. He was instructed
Is Is oonduc. the Governor-elecs IN. and
Immediately the new Governor and his
as.eaasats we're ushered in. Ia. she
lead were Sergeans-as-Arms OF Senate
aud House and Justices OF, Supreme
Court aad circuit Judges Norton and
Bepes. Dr.. John A. Rice opened the
ceremonies With prayer, aud the Chief
Justice then administered the oath Of
Office; and Governor Tillman was no
moro than any other man present, and
his first Lieutenant, Goyernor-elecs
John Gary Evans. assumed command
as she Chief Executive and Com
mapder-in:Chief 81 the Palmetto; State !;
aud the noted and much discussed and
srittep abou. Governor Ti1man was
once mote private citizen. Evapa
then delivered his inaugural address
and the following Is synopsis of the
most important part:
Gemlemea of tie General assembly:
After obtaining the will Of the peo-
ple 10 three separate elections, I might
say, am here to-day to assume the
Governorship Of .he proodest people on
the globe: tue Goyernorsbip Of South
Caroliaians Ten years ago the eieya-
.ioo of a man of my age to the highest
honor 10 the gift OF the people. would
have been regarded almost as nneonst'-
tutional. A young man in South Caro-
lima would not have dared aspire to this
honorable position for fear Of gaining
the odium OF that class who, forsooth, by
reason Of age or inheritance considered
the Offices as their particulas property
without regard to the popular will.
Thsre are some who still regard the
political revolution Of 1890. which gave
to us an aristocraey of brains instead Of
lands and money. rs an haflucination. a
dream Of youth filed with icoaoclasts.
and as the reign Of the demagogue.
This gentle slumber will result 10 good
and the Rip Van Wrinkles of the State
will awaken to ind themselves monu-
ments Of antiquity surrounded BY young
sires of modern progress and develop
ment who have nothing bat love aud
reverence for them.
It's matter of copgrasulution to
the peeps that the effer. to stay the
course Of Reform BY an appeal to al
ignorant aud purchasa5le vote has been
rebuked the second time in manner
unmistakable 10 terms, and let US bope
tha, in future there will be found in the
State 30 man SO ignoble as to dare
threaten US with return Of the dark
DAYS erom 1865 TO 1876.
Il is unfortunate indeed kthat the
foundation of our social aHd political
institutions is the unity of the white
people. This condition vas thrust
upon US By the emancipation and en
franohieement with one stroke, OF an
unfortunate, ignorant race unit to
govern even themselves. Placed III
power BY the bayonet, forced to govern
their former masters, We thus witness
spectacle seldom recorded in history,
and government Of ignorance. vice and
corruption over wisdom. virtue and
honesty.
It is necessary for me to warn the
Young men of our State Of the dangers
that threaten US. Must | picture Soath
Carolina PROSTATE, struggling in the
DAYS Of reconstruction Will the son
turn on his mother and pierce her
through the heart With the same blade
that smote her tradocers | cannot
believe it nor will do it, nor will those
who follow me. I say here and now
upon the threshold of my ad@inistra-
tion to those who oppose me ''cone let
us reasoo together There is no room
IN South Carolina for divided hearts.
If the invitation is refused remember,
South Carolina shall not suffer. Let
the blow fall upoo the heads Of those
who seek TO rule or ruin, do not fear
the result.
We are fast losing our position as
an independent State and are becoming
to the North what Ireland is to Eng-
laud. dependent province. Our large
plantations are being bought up and
converted into hunting preserves by