The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1865-08-29
SPEECH OF GOV. B. F. PERRY

WdSft7ngf0H
FELLOW CITIZENS; have met you this
morning, not to make speech, but to talk over
the incidents Of my late visit to Washington. L
started there three week since, as your delegate,
to ask for the appointment of a Provisional
Governor. and the restoration OF civil authority
in South Carolina. On my way I met mes
senger from his Excellency, President johnson,
bearing commission appointing me Provisional
Governor of the State. This was an honor which
had not antici pated, and never'aspired to.
On nay arrival in Washington, | addressed
note to the President, asking the honor OF an
audience for the purpose Of receiving his in
structions, and communicating my. views IN
reference to the political tone and temper of the
State. After waiting that evening and the next
cav, without hearing from the President, paid
a visit to Governor Dennison, Postmaster Gep-
eral. 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, and very
obligiDgly ordered his carriage and went to the
Executive mansion to ascertain the truth OF the
matter In short time afterwards | received
note from President johnson stating that my
Communication, the day before, had not been
received, and that he would see me at three
o'clock. In reply, stated that would do my
hour designated, and that my friends, Coils. Orr,
Elsford, Williams, Bacon, and Messrs Leitch,
Grady, Gibbes and Blodgett, would accompany
me. We were received very cordially, and re-
manned an hour or two with the President. l
told him that the people Of South Carolina &C
cepted 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, hcnceforth, be one ofSthe 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 equalizc the repre-
sentation of the State. gave it as my opinion
that the disunion feeling Of the South had orig
mated in the parishes.
The President expressed himself gratlheG at
the course South Carolina was likely to pursue,
and instead of mahifesting any bitter or revenge
full spirit, he evinced great kindness, selictude
and magnanimity. TIE whole dele cation was
deeply impressed with the courtesy, dignity and
ability of his Excellency. His political views
expressed to us were those of patriot and states
man He wished to see the country once more
quiet, peaceable, happy and prosperous. In re-
gard to the relative powers of the State and the
Federal Government, his opinions were identical
with my own, so long expressed in South Caro-
Ina He was equally opposed to the centraliza-
ton and consolidation of powers in Con ress as
he 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 Congress to control the
elective franchise of a State would be an un-
warrantable usurpation. He expressed an ar
dent wish to see the Constitution OF South Car
DINA popularized by abolishing the parish rep
resentation and equalizing the political power of
the upper and lower country, giving the election
of Governor to the people, and also the electors
of President and Vice President.
On leaving the President, he requested me to
call and see MIR. Seward, Secretary of State, and
give him the same information | had given his
Excellcncy in reference to the public feeling
and sentiment of South Carolina. This did
in company with the South Carolina delegation
We found Mr. Seward kind and cordial, and
gratifed at the Information we gave him with
regard to the politics of South Carolina. Be
fore visiting Mr. Seward, had been to call on
the Attorney General, Mr.. Speed He expressed
himself surprised and mortified at my speech,
made to you on the Sd of July. But I soon
discovered that 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, I
read your speech this morning attentivey, and
considering the stand point from which you
make it, I think it very good one. When
was Governor of New York, said Mr.. Seward, L
used to make speeches which were very severely
criticised ia Charleston, and said to myself,
what the devil have the people of Charleston to
do with my speech made in New York? I did
not speak to them, but to the people of New
York. And suppose, Mr.. Perry, you intended
your speech FOR South Carolina and not for
Washington,
The Attorney General expressed a 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 officers, with the advice and
cousent of the Senate. | told him my theory
had always been to give all the important cleo
lions, President, Governor, members of Con-
gress and members of the Legislature to the
people, and relieve them of the trouble of
sembng 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 gentleman, public officer and states
man. l was furnished in the Treasury Office
with list of appointments which / had to make.
In doing so, endeavored to fill all the Offices
with men of capacity, integrity and experience.
likewise paid my respects to the Secretary
Of War, in company with the South Carolina
delegation, and endeavored to lay before this
high funciionary the true condition of affairs in
South Carolina. regretted not seeing General
Howard, who is at the head Of the Freedmen's
Bureau in Washington. But I addressed a
letter to him, giving him my views in reference
to the freedmen and asking his instructions
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