Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1902-04-16

|
ocean. The whole power of the United
States was exerted to the utmost
against the Democracy, but when the
ballots were counted on the night Of
the eventful day in November 1t was
found that Hampton was elected by
over a thousand votes. A political
revolution had been accomplished.
Then came the occupation of the
state house by the Federal soldiers, the
denial of admission to the Democratic
members who did not possess the GER
tificates Of the state board Of canvass
ers, the sessions Of the Mackey House
in the Hall of Representatives and Of
the Wallace House in the humble Car
were the troops withdrawn. Then only
was the authority Of Hampton and the
whole Democratic government fully
recognized. Six months Of waiting.
Six months of danger and temptation.
Six months Of uncertainty and threat
ened riot. 1t was at this period that
the matchless qualities Of Governor
| Hampton were best exhibited. The
whole power Of the state was in his
hands. His word was law, and the on
ly law in South Carolina! Looking
back to that anxious time, it is mani
fest that the fight for good govern
ment was really won after election day
and won by Governor Hampton.
Again and again was the state on the
verge of civil war. It was Hampton
who compelled the people to bear IN 81
ence the jeers and blows and wounds
Of the enemy. Any retaliation at that
time would have destroyed every hope
Of speedy success. Hampton saw 1t,
and, at word from him, battalions OF
armed men, eager for the fray, quietly
returned to their homes. The purse OF
the state, as we'll as the sword, was his.
A simple request from Hampton
brought into the state treasury such
supplies as were necessary for carry
| ing on the Hampton government, while
the pretenders in the state house, with
pretended laws and pretended law
makers, surrounded by troops and
| hanked by state constables, could not
extract a farthing from the people.
Hampton never wavered nor faltered.
From the beginning he told his people
| that he was governor, that he intend
ed to be governor, and that, If the
people trusted and obeyed him all
should be we'll. 1t was we'll, and when
every difficulty dissipated, Governor
Hampton met the legislature In 1877,
he might have felt that his task was
done. It was only the beginning. The
general assembly needed the constant
advice and aid Of Governor Hampton.
Some unruly spirits resented any ap-
parent exercise Of his gracious inf1u-
ence. but, as a whole, his recommend
tions were carried out and the meas
ures he advised were adopted. It was
to be expected, perhaps, that he should
meet with opposition. 1t was not to be
expected that his honesty Of purpose
should be impugned. Yet this was
lwhat Wade Hampton encountered be-
/ fore his term as governor expired. The
sweet patience with which he met the
shafts of envy and hate was even more
admirable than the fortitude with
which he bore the onslaughts OF the
avowed enemies Of the state. But the
confinement, the close application to
routine work, the drudgery Of executive
business with insufficient assistance,
were wearing away his strength.
| AS the months passed, and the time Tor
Ia new election approached, 1t was plain
ly evident that Governor Hampton was
illf1tted for the labors and fatigue OF
such q canvass as that Of 1875. There
was none at that moment to take his
place. BY the state convention, which
assembled in August he and the other
state officers were unanimously re-
elected, on the re-afflrmed platform OF
1876, as the candidates Of the Democ-
racy.
| When the sun set on November 1t
was known that the Democrats had
elected the whole of their candidates
on the state and congressional ticket,
and nearly the whole Of the county OF
fcers and members Of the Legislature.
Governor Hampton was worn out. 1t
was believed that II he could throw
off the cares of state for few days
and divert his mind by hunting IN the
swamps and thickets Of the ConSaree
he would regain enough strength 10
enable him to pass through the IA
tigues Of the legislative session. The
arrangements were quickly made, and
on the first days hunt, only two days
after the election, Governor Hampton
met with an accident that resulted in
the loss Of his leg, which caused him
so much suffering and the state so
much sorrow.
| In 1879 General Hampton was elected
| to the United States senate, which po-
sition he continued to occupy with an
ability and dignity worthy of his own
high character and Of the history of the
state which he represented. 1t was
hoped and expected that he would re-
main as one Of the representatives OF
South Carolina in the highest council
of the nation until the day Of his death,
but before the close Of his second term
the South Carolina of the past, OF
which Hampton himself was a noble
| hoI hapn cuQnt
by a political revolution. In attempt
ing to turn the tide Hampton had CIV
en- offence to the leading spirits Of the
new movement, and they elected to the
United States senate as Hampton's
successor one who f1ttingly represented
| them.
President Cleveland, who highly ap-
preciated the noble qualities Of the ex-
senator, very soon appointed him to the
office Of United States railroad COM
missioner, the duties Of which position
he filled with sagacity and ability until
the appointment of General Longstreet
as his successor, by President Mckin-
| ley. Immediately upon the election Of
| President Mckinley, General Hampton
presented his resignation. A number
Of senators. irrespective of party, urg-
ed that General HAMPTON be retained,
but President Mckinley took the po-
sition that the Appointment should go
to General Longstreet, a Republican
Since his retirement he led quiet, E'e-
tired life at his country home, Milwood,
near Columbia, until tnat was burned,
and since then in the city Of Columbia.
After the burning Of his country seat
his admirers in this state built and
presented to him. as a testimonial of
| their love and esteem, beautiful home
in the city of Columbia where his de-
clining years were spent. His last ap-
pearance in public was at the centen-
nial celebration of the South Carolina