The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-05-14

few years / met him many times
: Washington and was always delighte
| to enjoy his genial and kindly con
, panionship. He had been candidat
for Governor Immediately after th
} war and before the Congressional r,
construction of the South, but IS as de
feated by Governor Orr. In 1876
when the people were goaded to des
peration by the licentious carpet-ba
rule of the State, Hampton was force
into the campaign for Governor agains
Governor Chamberlain, who was great
| ly the best of all the carpet -baggers O
the STATE, and who would have mad
reputable Republican government ha,
it been possible. The contest was on
of uI usual desperation, but with al
the power and machinery in the hands
of the State authorities, sustained b.,
the army aud by State constabulary
that permeated every precinct, Hamp
ton was elected by ,134 majority. A
State return board IN South Caroline
had the authority to revise the returns
and it bodily threw out the counties oI
Edgefield and Laurens, the first Of
which gave 5000 Democratic majority
and the second 1,100, by which it re.
turned majority for Chamberlain ol
3,433. The Senators and Representa-.
tives elected on the Democratic ticket
In those counties were refused admis
sion to their seats and the result was
the organization of Two Legislatures
and the inauguration of two Cover
nors.
Chamberlain had the advantage of
being In possession, and doubt wheth-
er Hampton rendered more heroic
service IN the flame of battle than he
did in restraining his friends from ts-
sorting to violence, when the election
fraud was perpetraled, and driving the
corrupt carpet-baggers from the State; !;
but he held his people steadily to law
and order, feeling assured that in time
the right would triumph. President
Hayes's assurance had been given that
the Democratic State officers of Louis
lana, Florida and South Carolina would
be given their places, as they were un-
elected, and after several
conferences between both the disput.
ing parties and the President, notice
was finally given that the Federal t, oops
would be withdrawn from Columbia,
and that at once ended the contest.
Chamberlain quietly gave up the office
of Governor, and the Democratic State
and Legislative officers were admitted
TO their seats without further dispute.
Having assured honest government in
to confer upon him the highest honors
within their gift, and he was soon there
after chosen United States Senator
practically without a contest, and at
The end of his first term was re- elected
in like manner.
HAMPTON IN THE SENATE.
During his twelve years. service in
the Senate he was always one of the
most conscrl ative and patriotic of
Southern lawmakers. He exhausted
his efforts to suppress sectional strife.
Not only by example, but by every de-
iverance he ever made, he pleaded for
he suppression of sectional bitterness
and the restoration of fraternal rela-
lions between the North and the South.
He was one of the most delightful of
all the Senators to meet IN social inter-
and his magnificent physique,
,oldierly bearing and honest face COM
the admiration of all who came
within the range of his acquaintance.
at the end of his twelve years. service
N the Senate he was overwhelmed by
he agrarian Popullst element that
swept the South. He could have no
sympathy with those who would destroy
The Government credit that is the life
Of the Republic, and he had none of
he arts of the demagogue to pacify
he masses by promising them impossi-
oilities. He could have retained his
position in the Senate until his death
# he had joined in the tempest of pas
sion, but he was honest in all things,
and he bowed to it, preferring to main
lain his convictions, his integrity and
his patriotic manhood to continuance
in office. President Cleveland re-
cognized Hampton's claim upon the
country by appointing him as commits
sioner OF Pacific Railways, where he
served with his usual fidelity until
change of administration deposed him;
and since then he has quietly lived
among the people who so devotedly
and enthusiastically cheered him
throughout his long career, and finally
when he had faced the storms of 81
winters he was borne TO his final rest
ing place by the profoundly sorrowipg
A. X. MCCLURE.