Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-08-24

speech OF Governor ~. o. Perry, I'm
the Csurt House, Greenvilie, ssuth
Careisnn, On tuesday. Aug"st Isl,
ON HIS aeturn from Washtngton.

fYIICw tfTfzErs. tave ms YOU VIZ HUI
ing not TO make speech. but 70 talk over TIE
incidents OF nv late visit 10 Washington.
started there, three weeks since, as your dele
gate. TO ask for the appointment OF Prov
siousl Governor, and the restoration of civil au-
thority in South Carolina. On my way | met
a messenger from His Ercsllency, President
johnson. bearing n commission appointing me
Provisional Governor OF the State. This was
honor which | had not anticips and never as.
pred to- -
note to the President. asking the honor OF an
audience for the purpose Of receiving biz in
structiops, and communicating to him my views
in reference 70 the political tone and temper OF
the State After waiting that evening and the
next day, without hearing from the President.
paid a visit TO Governor Dennison, Postmaster
General This gentleman received me most
kindly, and seemed gratifed at the account |
gave him of South Carolina He assured me
that the President had not received my note.
aud very obigingly ordered his carriage and
went 10 the Executive Mansion TO ascertain the
truth Of the matter. Ia a short time aiterward
| received note from President Johnson. sta
ting that my communication. the day before, had
not been received. and that he would see me at
o'clock In reply, | stated that would DO
myself the honor TO call on His Exeellency az
the hour designated, and that my friends, Coils
Orr, Eford, Williams, Bacon, and Messrs.
Leitch. Grady. Gibbes and Bloodgett, would &C
company me We were received very cordially,
and remained an hour or two withihe President.
told him that the people of South Carolina ac-
eepted the terms of his proclamation, aud were
disposed TO return TO their allegiance TO the
Union That, from having been the most rebel
Iious State in the South, was satisfied South
Carolina would, henceforth, be of the
loyal OF the Southern States That she would
reform her Constitution, aud abolish slavery.
give the election Of Governor and Presidential
elections to the people. and equsze the repre-
sentation of the State. l gave it as my opinion
that the disunion feeling OF the South had orgi
mated in the parishes.
The President expressed himself gratified at
the course South Carolina was likely to pursue,
and instead of manfesting any bitter revenge
full spirit, he evnced great kindness, soleituGe
and magnanimity The whole delegation was
deeply impressed with the courtesy. dignity and
ability of his Excellency. His political views
expressed 10 US were those of patriot and
statesman He wished 70 see the country once
more quiet, peaceable, happy and prosperous. In
regard to the relative powers OF the State and
the Federal Govcrnuant, his opinions were iden-
teal with my ewn, 40 long expressed in South
Carolina He was equally opposed 10 the cen
tralization and consolidation OF powers in Con
gress as he was to the secession OF the States 1t
mast 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 Congress to control
the elective franchise of a State would be unwar-
rantable usurpation. He expressed an ardent
wish to see the Constitution of South Carolina
popularized BY abolishiDg the parish representa-
zion and equalizing 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 information had given His
EIcelenoy in reference to the public feeling and
sentiment Of South Carolina. This did in com
pany with the South Carolina delegation. We
found Mr. Seward kind and cordial, and gratted
at the information We gave him with regard to
the politics Of South Carolina. Before visiting
Mr.. Seward, / had been to call on the Attorney
General, Mr. Speed. He expressed himself sur.
prisel and mortified at my speech, made to you
on the Sd ofJuly But soon discovered thai
he had only glanced over the speech. and did not
comprehend the tone and temper OF my remarks.
told Mr.. Seward what the Attorney General
had said. He replied. | read your speech this
morning attentively, and considering the stand
point from which you make it. l think it very
good one. When l was Governor Of New York,
said Mr. Seward, used TO make speeches which
were very severely criticized in Charleston. and
| said to myself trhaf the deril hare the people Of
Charleston 10 do Nth my speeches made in Ne,c
York; did not speak TO them or for them but
to the people of New York. And suppose. Mr..
Perry, you intended your speech tor South Caro-
lins and not for Washington.
The Attorney General expressed wish that
while 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 officers. with the advice and
consent OF the Senate. | told him my theory
had always been to give all the important cleo
tons. President, Governor, members OF Congress.
and members OF Legislature to the people, and
relieve them of the trouble OF assembling so
often to make petty elections, which generally
tended to corrupt and demoralize them.
called on the Secretary of the Treasury, Mr..
McCulloch, and was very much pleased with him
as a gentleman, public officer, and states.
man. | was furnished IN the Treasury Office
with q list Of appointments which had to make.
Il doing so. / endeayored TO FIJI all the Offices
With men of capacity, integrity and experience
1 likewise paid nv respects 10 the Secretary of
War. in company with The South Carolina dele
CATION, aud endeavorsd 10 Law before this high
iunctionary the true condition OF affairs in South
Carolina. | regretted rot seeing Gen Howard
who Is at the head Of the Freedmen's Bureau in
Washington. But addressed a letter to him.
giving M IN my views in reference to the freed
men, and asking his instructions. The whole
SoLth CarOllna celckatlen were earnest their
efforts TO impress the President and his Cabinet
with the upoliey OF garrisoning South C.rolna
with colored troops | had hoped 10 see Gen
Gilmore en- thisEsuejec, | returned through
Columbia.
The last interview | had with the President
ne requested pse 70 write him, and keep hisl in
formed ss TO any difficulties which might NEE.
with in organizing a Provisional Government.
said 10 him, Il have already, Mr. President, or
| ganized 4 Provisional Government fer South
CAroiina, by adopting the State Govern ment l
have issued ny proclamation, ordering ell civil
officers in South Carolina to take the oath OF al
. legiarce. and resume their official duties
Well SAID be, "yor are most expeditions
Governor" | replied BY saying my appointment
came late. and !thought Is necessary to work
rapidly further said 10 him thai | would have
the State ready, with her Constitution reformed
and her members of Congress elected, by the
first Monday IN December, when Congress cor
vened
In conclusion, let me szy 10 you. fellow-ciu
rens. thaf | an well pcssed with all tia, saw
and heard at Wsshington in reference 90 the
Southern States. lie. us nov do our duty, take
the oath Of allegiance. elect good and wise men
TO the Convention. reform State Consntu
ton. abolish slavery. equsiize the representation
OF the State in the Senate, sivs the election OF
Governor and Presidential Electors 10 the PEG.
! pie, and ali will be we'll. lmmsdiately after the
1 Convention has reformed the Constitution, the
4 Legislature will be convened 20 elect United
States Senator's aud provide for the election Of