The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-09-01
Another Speech Of Gov. Perry.
! H1sofvieW With the President. AM
the Mtombers Of. HIS, Cahinetx -

1oe IOu0Wlng speech. was dolvefed at
Greenville, s. c., by Gov. Penny, ON An-
gust LIST, on his return from. Washington /:
FxLLow-Cr11zEHs: T. have met, you thia
morning, not 70 make speech, but 70 tau
ton. Istarted there, three weeks ,sinca Is
your delegate, to ask for the appointment, t,of q
Provisional Governor, and the restoration of
civil authority in South Canoiina. On my Way
/ met . messenger from bid Excellency Presi-
dent johnson, bearing commission appoint
ing me Provisional Governor of the State.
This was an honor which fhad not anticipaaed
and never aspfed to. -,
On my arrival in Washington, I addressed, a
note to the President, asking the honor Of; an
audience, for the purpose Of receiving his in.
etructiOns, and communicating to him my
views in reference to hepolitical tone and tenn
per of the Staae. - =. 7"
We were received very cordially, and re-
NAMED an hour or two with the President. I
told him that the people of South Carolina ac-
cepted the terms Of bis proclamation, and were
disposed to return to, their allegiance to the
Union. 1hat from having been one Of the
most rebellious States in the South, 7 was sat-
isffed South Carolina would henceforth, be
one OF the most loyal Of the Southern States.
That she would reform her constitution and
abolish slavery, give the election of Governor
and PRESIDENTIAL Electors to the people, and
equalize the representation of the State. Igave
It - my opinion that the: disunion feeling of
the South bad originated In the parishes.
The President expressed himself grati6ed at
the course South Carolina was likely to Dur.
sue, and instead of manifesting any bitter or
fevengeful spirit, he evinced great Kindness,
soncasude and magnaninity. The whole dele.
cation was deeply impressed with the courtesy.
dignity and ability OF his Excellency. His po-
hticA views expressed to US were those Of a
patriot and statesman. He wished to see the
country once more auiet, 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 Seuth Carolina.
He was equally opposed to the eentraliza
ton and consolidation oftpowers in Congress
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 Congress
to control the elective franchise of "a State
would be unwarrantable usurpation. He ex.
pressed an ardent wish to see the constitution
OF South Carolina popularized by abolishing
the parish representation, and equalizing the
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.
The last interview had with the President,
he requested me to write him and keep bin
informed as to any difficulty which might
meet with in organizing provisional govern
meut: l said to him, T have already, Mr..
President organized provisional government
for South Carolina by adopting the State gov.
ernment- have issued my proclamation or
dertng all civil officers in South Carolina to
take the oath of allegiance, and resume their
official duties" well" said he, "you are q
most expeditions Governor" replied saying
that my sppointment came late and thought
it necessary to work rapidly. further said 10
him that would have the State ready, with
the Constitution reformed and her members Of
Congress elected, by the first Monday in Do
cember, when Congress convened.
In coaclusion, let ne say to you. fellow.eiti-
zens, that am well pleased with all that I saw
and heard at Washington in reference to the
Southern StAteA Let us now do our duty, take
the oath of allegiance, elect good and wise men
70 the convention, reform our State Constitu-
ton, abolish slavery, equalize the representa-.
ton OF the State in the Senate, give the elec.
ton of Governor and Presidential electors to
the people, and al viii be well. Immediately
after the convention has reformed the consti.
tuition. tho Legislature win be convened to
elect United States Senators, and provide for
the election Of members of the House of Rep-
reeentatves im Congress. This may all be done
BY the frst Monday in December nsxt when
the State will be fully restored to her rights
under the Constitution and laws of the United
States.