Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1865-08-24
kindness, solicitude and magnanimity. The
whole delegation was deeply impressed with
the courtesy, dignity and ability of his .Ex-

tne courtesy, ulgnlty ano aDiuGy VI nie Tx
oellency:: His political views expressed to
Us were those of patriot and statesman.-
He wished to see the country once more
quiet, peaceable, happy and prosperous
In regard to the relative powers Of the
State. and the Federal Government, his
opinions were identical with my own, 80
long expressed in South Carolina. BE was
equally opposed to the Capitalization and
consolidation Of powers in Congress she
was to the secession of the States. 1t must
be left to the Legislature of each State to
decide who shall be allowed to vote in the
State. Any attempt on the part Of Con-
gress to control the elective franchise of a
State. would bean unwarrantable tsurpa.
ton. He expressed an ardent wish to see
the Constitution of South Carolina .popr-
larized by abolishing the parish represents
ton and squalizing the political power of
the upper and lower country, giving the
election Of Governor to- the people, and also
the election Of electors Of President and
Vice. President.
On leaving the President, he requested
me to call and see Mr. Seward, Secretary,
Of State, and give him the same informa.
ton Ihad given his Excellency in refer.
ence to the public feelings and sentiment of
South Garolina. This I did in company
with the South Carolina delegation. We
found Mr.. Seward kind and cordial and
grati6ed at the information We gave him
with regard to the politics of South Carroll.
ma. Before visiting Mr.. Seward, had
been to calf On the Attorney General, Mr.:
Speed. He expressed himself surprised
and mortified at my speech, made to you on
the third of July. But SOON discovered
that he. had only glanced ,over the speech,
and did not comprehend the tone and tenn.
per of my remarks. 1 told Mr.. Seward
what the Attorney General had said. He
replied, / read your speech this morning
attentively, and, considering the standpoint
from which you make it think it very
good one. When ! was Governor Of New
York, said Mr.. Seward; I used to make
speeches WHICH we're very severely criticised
in Charleston, and I said to myself, what
the devil have the people of Charleston to
do with my speech made in New York? l
did not speak to them or for them, but to
the people Of New York. And I suppose,
Mr.. Perry, you intended your speech for
South Carolina and not for washington:
The Attorney Governor expressed 2 wish
that whilst reforming our Constitution, we
should give the election of Governor to the
people, and invest him with the power OF
appointing all State and district othcers,
with the adVice.and consent OF the Senate
L told him my theory had always been TO
{ give all the important elections, President
Governors, members OF Congress ana mem,
bers of the Legislature to the people, and
relieve them OF the trouble OF assembling
30 often to make petty elections, wnicn gen
orally tended to corrupt and demoralize
them. - ,..--..:.e. ,--.s.-. b.
called on the Secretary OF the Ireasu-
ry, Mr.: McCuiloch, and was very maon
pleased with MIN as gensieman' pun.
otheer and q statesman: 1 was iurnl'neu
IN the Treasury office with a ilst OF appoint
ments which l had to make. ln ao,ns so'
l.endeaVored to tll all the ,omces VIII men
of capacity, integrity and experience.
likewise paid my respects to the Secre.
tsry of War, in company with the South
Carolina delegation, and endeavored to lay
before this high functionary the true con-
dition of affairs in South Carolina. I re.
gretted not seeing Gen. Howard, who is at
the head of the Freedmen's Bureau in
Washington. But I addressed letter to
him. giving him NV views in reference to
the freedmen and asking his instructions.
The whole sontb Carolina delegation were
earnest in their efforts, to impress the Pres.
ident and his Cabinet with the impolicy of
garrisoning South Carolina with colored
troops. 1 had hoped to have seen General
Gilmore on this subject as returned
through Columbia. ~. -... .
The last interview I had with the Presi-
dent, he requested me to write to him, and
keep him Informed as to any difficulties
which | might meet with in organizing
Provisional Government. said to him,
sI have already, Mr.. President, organized
a Provisional Government for South Caro-.
lima by adopting the State Government. I
have issued NV proclamation, ordering all
o;,;l of;cera in South Carolina To take the