The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1865-08-25
GOV. PEnRY OF souTn cARoLINA:
HIS Account or Ifis interview Win
President Johnson and the Cabinet.

= o
we We're received very cordially, and
remained an hour or two with tho Pres
ident. I told him that the people of
South Carolina accepted the terms of
his proclamation, and were disposed to
return to their allegiance to the Union.
That from having been the most rebel
lious State in the South, / was satisfied
South Carolina would, thencefortll, 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 Presiden-
tinl elections TO the people, and eQual-
ize the representation OF the State. I,
gave it as my opinion that the disunion,
feeling of the South had originated in
the parishes. Z.
# The President expressed himself graft
thed at the course South Carolina 5vas
likely topursue, and instead of mani1
Testing any bitter or revengefIl spirit;
he evinced great kindness, solieftude
and magnnnimity. The whole delega-
ton Nyns deeply impressed with the
courtesy, dignity, and ability OF His
EXcellency. His political views e21-
pressed TO us Were those of patriot
and statesman. Hewished to see the
country once more quiet, peacenbIe,
happy, and prosperous. In regard to
the relative powers of the State and the
Federal Government, his opinions were
Identical with my own, so long ex-
pressed In South Carolina. He was
equally opposed to the Capitalization
and consolidation of powers in Com
gress as he was to the secession of the
States. II must be left to the Legisla-
ture of each State to decide who shall
be allowed. to vote IN the State. Any
attempt on the part of Congress to con1
troll the elective franchise of n State
would be unwnrrantnble uslIrpntiou.
He expressed hn ardent wish TO see tile
Constitution of South Carolina popu-
lariZed by abolishing the parish repre-
and equaliZing the political
power of the upper and lower coun-.
try, giving the election of Governor
to the people, and, also the election of,
electors of President andNice PRESIDENT
On leaving the PSesid dent, he request
ed me to call and see Mr.. Seward, Sec
retary of State, md give him the same
Information phad given His EXcellen-
cy IN reference to the public feelings
and sentiments oil; South Carolina. This
/ did in company with the South Caro-
lima delegation. We found Mr.. Seward
kind and cordial, and gratified at the
information we gave. him with regard
to the politics OF South Carolina, Be
fore visiting Mr., Seward 1 had heen to,
call on fthei Attorney General, Mr..
Speed. He eeXpressed himself surprised
and mortified at my speech made to you
on the sd of Jul " But Il soon discoyT
erred that he had only glanced OYerithe'
speech, and did not comprehend the.
tone and temper of my remarks.
told Mr.. Seward w1dt the Attorney
General had said. He replied: 4 read
your speech this morning attentively,
S41ld considering the standpoint from
which you make it, think il u very
good one. When L was Governor of
New York, said Mr. Sewnrtl, / used TO
make speeches which were very severe
ly criticised I'M Charleston, and / said to
myself, what have the people iniC Charles
ton to do with my speech made in New
York; did not speak 10 them or for
thetn, but to the people of New York
And suppose, Nfr. Perry, you intend-
ed your speech for South Carolina and
not for Washington. hdS
The ACCOMPLISHMENT Expressed Il
wish that, while reforming our consii-'
tuition, we should give the election of
Governor to the people, and investing
him with the power of appointing all
State apdJdIstfiet officers, with tlie .ad-
vice and consent of the Senate. I told
him my theory had always been 70 give
al the important elections, President,
Governor, members of Congress, and
members of Legislature, to the people,
and relieve thent OF the trouble OF as-
senbling so often to make petty cleo
tions, which generally ly tend dedito corrupt
and demoralize them,
/ called on the Secretary OF the Treas
ufy, Mr. Nice Gull och SundIyas very mucli
pleased with him as q gentleman, n pub
lie officer, and d Statesman. i was fur
nished in the Treasury office, with a
list of appointments which had to
make. I'm doing 50, 1 endeay6red to tilI
all the Offices With mon of capaeity, in
tegrity and experience. - sEJai
likewise paid my respectsisto the
Secretary OF War, in company with the
South Carolina deli ton; aud endeny-