The Abbeville bulletin. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-08-17
The Abbeville Bulletin.
Thursday, August II, 1865.
SPEECH OF THE GOVERNOR.

SPEECH OF THE GOVERNOR.
Notice having been previously given
that Ills Excellcncy b. +. PERRY, Provis
ional Governor.of South Carolina, would
on Salesday yesterday address the citi-
zens of Greenvillo District in reference to
his ipterviow with President JonSsroS,
q respectable representation of the citizens
assembled al the Court House.
Eis Excel!ency alluded to the fact that
he had already. addressed a meeting of the
citizens of the District since his return, and
would therefore be compelled to repeat
much of what he had said. GA his arri.
val at Washington City, he Immediately
notified President JOHNSON Of his arrival,
but, owing to the miscarriage of his note,
received no reply from the President until
u day had intcrvened. lie then received
information that tho President would re-
ceive him and other members Of dc!cga
ton from South Carolina ut q specified
hour. The time having arrived, they went
40 the White house and met with cordial
reception. Their interview with the Pres
'dent was very pleasant one. Gov. p,
in tho course Of his remarks, told the Pres
i'lcnt that he knew the opinions Of the
people of South Carolina; that they had
beer, The most rvbulious Of all the States
that they were "tle very head and front"
OF the oti"nding; but, that, having had IN
"pportInily of m assuring their strength
with the Uu;on, and having found it
hopeless task, they l!.I entirely abandoned
the position, and were now disposed . to
come back and be a loyal people: they
were willing to accept the provisions Of the.
amnesty proclamation. The institution Of
slavery being gone, the peoples minds
were wonderfully changed in regard to it.
During The war they had found slavery to
h" Il burden. The President expressed
himself as graiiIi':l at this Information.
Gov. I. also stated to the President
that he State Convention would so amend
the Constitu:i III as to abolish slavery; and
that The position Ct South Carolina in re-
gard 10 the election OF Electors OF Prcsi-
dent and Vice President, and of Governor,
as well as Their system of Parish represcn-
,ation in the Senate, would no doubt be
si.trcv changed. South Carolina was
the on ) State in tho Union in which these
elections were withheld from tho people;
and the'system of Parish representation,
"uaSA "oo juot QL tuo tluIS Ol lis tIlduHuI-
alton, was now decidedly unequal, and
should be abolished. The President coll
CURED 10 these views heartily, and stated
that he would he highly pleased to see
South Carolina side by side with the other
States in these matters.
In reference to the doctrine Of State
rights, the President expressed himself As
being AS much opposed to tho centraliza-
ton Of power in the General Government
as he was to the doctrine of secession.
The question of negro suffrage. should be
eft entirely to the States-Cunsress had
TO right to interfere with it.
Gov. P. having made some remarks in
references to postal arrangements, the presi.
tleut Informed him that the Postmaster
General was working day and night for
the purpose Of facilitating these opera
tions.
The Governors interview with the Sec
retary Of State was also An agreeable one,
:And some pieasautry was indul ged in with
regard to an unfliendly view that bad been
taken by a few OF the people North with
reference to the speech made by Gov. P.
at tho Court House on the Sd Of July last,
and in which the Secretary said that, con-
sidering the stand point, he could see moth
ing Objectionable.
llr an interview with the Secretary of
the Treasury, the Governor was handed
list of appointments, and was informed
that the Administration had determined
upon making no appointments in hither-
to disloyal State except when approved by
the Provisional Governor thereof. All
applications for pardon must also receive
the approval of the Provisional Governor
before any action would be taken upon it
by the, President. no
He regarded President JOHNSON as one
of the ablest and finest looking men. He
is spoIished and gentlemanly bland, cour-
teous, simple, digni6ed; in appearance
prepossessing, and Of striking manners.
The Governor stated that he was inform.
ed that the military authorities at Charles
ton had taken exceptions 70 his manner of
.reconstructing the Government. They al:
legef that he has supercedea his authority, !
aid refused TO. allow those re-appointed By
the terms Of his1prcclamation t0+. exercise
the functions Of their office. Other States
he said, had made appointments in their
own way, and when he told the Rsesident
that be had issued his proclamatiop, and
had ordered that every civil ceicer of the
State who had held .ths position at the
time of the suspension of civil power
should take tho amnesty oath and.res6me
his official position, the Pfestdens; didfuot
rebuko him nor object to his course. IN
fact, the President no: only, expressed him.
self thoroughly satisfied, but complimented
him for the expeditions measures used.
When lie mentioned .1at the Conyention
would meet on Tie 18th Of September, and
that the State Legislature would meet soon
thereafter ard order lie election sof Con-
gressmep, aud thattle Congressman cleo
tod would take theis seats on the first Mon :
day in next December, the; President eyin-
ced much .gratihsation and expressed a