The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1899-01-26
GOV. RLLERBE's INAUaURAL
A BRIEF REVIEW OF HIS POLIT-
1CAL LIFE.


lCAL LIFE.
No Allusion to Recent Disclosures
He Promises Adherence to Past
Policy and Asks Approval OF His
Follow Citizens.
Governor Ellerbe and the other State
officers were duly inaugurated on the
18th inst. The Columbia Record Saws
The galleries were crowded with
ladies and visitors generally. Among
the ladies were Representatives of the
female colleges, many Columbians and
others. Every available seat around
the railing was occupied, and standing
room was the order. A number OF
Srmy officers were noted In the throng.
At IL 10 the Senate fled into the hall
OF the House, and q few moments later
Sergeant-at- Arms Stansell announced
the Governor. and Lieutenant
Governor-eleot and staff.
The assemblage approached, Gov
ernor Ellcrbe and Senator Mower lead
ing. Then came the Lieutenant Gov
ernor and Representative Magill ;
Judge Ernest Gary and Senator Brown;
retiring Secretary Tompkins and Mr..
Cooper; retiring Attorney General
Barber and Mr.. G. Duncan Bellinger
retiring Adjutant General Watts and
Colonel Floyd; retiring Superintend-
ent OF Education Mayheld and Mr.. j.
j. McMahan. The rest OF the State
officers holding over followed.
senator Scarborough, of Horny, pre-
sided and called upon Rev. w. II. Rich
ardson to open the exercises with
prayer. This be did In O very eloquent
manner. After thes prayer Governor
Ellerbe stepped forward and the oath
was administered to him by Judge
Ernest Gary.
The Governor in delivering his in
augural address said
"Fellow-C Citizens: Two years ago l
was called by an almost unprecedented
majority to the highest Office within
your gift. The reasons for my over.
whelming victory are not far to seek.
We had just passed through four years
OF the bitterest partisan warfare that
rayed brother against brother ana
friend against friend. 1t had engen-
dered the bitterest feelings between
the different classes OF our population.
Town and country we're at war, instead
Of working harmoniously together for
common good. The Reform move
ment brought many substantial gains
TO the people; but, like every other
social revolution, it brought with it the
concomitant and inseparable ills, OF
which l have spoken. The good re.
mains; the evil in time disappears.
The people, especially the people Of
South Carolina, are generous and in
their hearts the passions of partisan
hate soon die out, self consumed.
"'Twas thus, after four years. strife,
the people now, in mutual, we'll
beseeching ranks, marched all one way,
kindred and allies. Ignoring party
lines, they turned with characteristic
generosity to me; not because OF spe-
cial worth or fitness on my part, for I
had done nothing to merit such mark
ed esteem, but because they v ho knew
me best believed that, as Governor, I
would serve not faction, but the
whole people, and strive to bring in an
era O.; peace and good fellowship. Thus
was 1 enabled to launch tho ship Of
state under favoring breezes. Knightly
and generous souls came forward with
pledges OF cooperation. The press,
with scarcely an exception, promised
support and prophesied happy voy-
age under favorable skies. With many
misgivings I undertook the task to
trust my ability to meet the expecta-
tions Of the people. Would that it had
been possible
1.-THE scant majority, however, re-
Gently accorded me after stubbornly
fought fight, !s In sharp contrast with
the overwhelming victory Of two years
ago, and yet have no reason either to
complain or whine. My duty have
performed to the best of my ability.
My mistakes shall neither attempt to
condone, nor to shift the burden Of
their responsibility on Others. With
deep gratitude to the friends who have
never wavered in their suppor., with
malice towards none and good will
towards my fellow citiSens, with pro-
found appreciation OF the great honor
conferred, / enter upon my second
term as Governor OF this historic COM
monwealth. To the citizens, let me
repeat, whose votes were cast for me
can never express my gratitude; but
while deeply grateful to my friends, l
to the whole people and to treat
the bitterest of my political enemies.
81 repeat what was said two years
ago. / assume this office untrammeled
by q single promise inconsistent with
the welfare Of the people. To discharge
my duties faithfully and we'll, to win
the approval and to merit the conf
dence OF all patriotic citizens, shall be
my highest ambition. In my former
inaugural was outlined policy, which
in the main I shall still endeavor to
pursue. In conclusion, my country
mon, I bespeak for myself, during the
two coming years, II my life be spared,
the utmost stretch Of your generosity
and charity.
"All good citizens are struggling,
though over different roads, for the
came goal, the highest welfare Of our
beloved State. Let us vie with each
other not to engender wrath and bit
terness OF speech, but to allay passion
and prejudice, and to enkindie in the
hearts OF the rising generation q deep
or love for our grand old State. With
in the integrity of our pao-
Pile, with faith In God, who favors
and protects the righteous, shall take
up the burdens OF this high trust with
fresh hope and strong courage" ..