The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-08-18
Speech Of B. T. Perry, Provisional Gov
ernOr Of South Carolina, at GreenYiIle,
S, g.. July 3. 1865,

q =
drew Johnson's Provisional Governor Of South
Carolina, Benjamin F. Perry, on the third o
July last. The reader will perceive that he es-
teems Gen. Lee as next in greatness to General
Washington What DO our radical friends
in this neighborhood think Of this appointee of
President johnson ? Ought he not to be hung,
and Johnson with him, for not removing him ?
What say you, all We growers Of hemp for the
men who admired Gen. Lee What say you,
Bedford EaqaHer. do you endorse Presiden
johnson in retaining Benjamin T. Perry in Of
fee after expressing himself in this disloyaI
manner? Come, now, no dodging! Give US
fair and square answer
Mr.. CHAIHWAz: This public meeting Of tue
citizens Of Greenyille is one Of deep humilia-
ton and sorrow A cruel and bloody war has
swept over the Southern States. One hundred
and fifty thousand Of our brayest and most gal-
liant men have fallen on the fields Of battle. The
land is filed with mourning widows and orphans
There is scarcely house in which there has
not been weeping for some loved one lost
Three thousand millions Of dollars have been
spent by the Southern States In carrying on this
war. And now we are called Upon 70 give up
four millions of slaves, worth two thousand mil
lions of dollars more. Our country has been
rayaqed and desolated. 01ir cities. towns and
villages are sn9ul3ering ruins. Conquering ar
mics occupy the country The Coafederacy
has fallen, and we have been deprived of civil
government and political rights. We have nel-
thor law nor order. There Is 10 protection for
fife, liberty, or property. Everywhere there is
Generalization, rapiae and murder Hunger
aal starvation are upon Us. And now we
meet Is a disgracaa aud subjugated people to
petition the corquercr to restore cur lost rights
Sach are the bitter fruits oi Secession
FIVE YEARS AGO.
How different, Mr Chairman, N tone, spirit,
and character, was that meeting of the citizens
Of Greenve just five years ago, in this same
building, which inaucurated this most fatal,
bloody and disastrous revolution. Then all
was joy, hope, excitement and confidence Sea-
ted il my law office, looking toward his Court
House, / saw a crowd Of persons rushing 10,
composed OF college boys and their professors,
merchants, mechanics, doctors, lawyers and i
diars from the hotels, with q sprinkling of far
mars and planters. Soon I heard the public
speaking commence, and the ar was rent with
the wild and raPtuTous applause Of the excited
audience. The more cXtrayagant the denunci-
atigus Of the Union, the louder were the shouts
Of applause, repeatcdin in my heart the mem
o-atla words Of Christ-"Fafher, forgive them,
they know not what they do" Ny mind was
then filed with the worst forcbodings as to the
future. | thought foresaw all the evils which
have since befailen oar beloved country. But
my political influence was gone, and my voice
was poweress to stay the angry and excited
feelings Of my feIlow-citizens,
RIPE FOR SECESSION.
We were at that time, Mr. Chairman, the
most prosperous, free and happy people on the
face Of the earth. The sun had never shone on
ia empire or nation whose future was more
bright and glorious. But the public mind had,
unfortunately. been prepared, in the Southern
States, for 30 years past, for an effort at dis
union. The people had been induced TO believe
that disunion would be quite a blessing. and
that it might come without war and bloodshed.
The leading politicians of the South were anx-
ou-ly waiting for some plausible pretext for Sc
ceIug from the American Union. The cleo
ton Of Abraham Lincoln President Of the T.
Hted States, by a sectional party, at the North,
was regarded as a favorable opportunity for
accomplishing their long cherished purpose. We
We're told, after this event, that there was no
longer any safety in the Union for Slavery or
our Constitutional rights
Mr. HECoLN's ELECTION NO REASON FOR SECE-
DING.
Let US now see, Mr.. Chairman, if there was
any truth in this assertion, MIR. Lincoln was
elected in direct conformity with the Federal
Constitution. He was elected in consequence
Of the political divisions and dissensions ot the
South. Had the Southern States been united
on one candidate, instead of voting for three,
la@ result would have been different. Mr.. Lin
c5n only received little more than one-third
Of the votes cast in The Presidential election.
Ill therefore went into office with large ma
]auty Of the AmerIcan people opposed 10 his adj
Illustration. There was at that time major
~ If 27 members Of the House of Represen-
tailges in Congress in opposition TO President
Lincoln. There was a majority Of six mem
lors OF the Senate Of the United States OPP
posed to him. And, sir, majority of the
Supreme Court Of the United States were OPP
losel to the avowed principles Of tie Repuh-
Hcan party, which elected Mr.. Lincoln.
Where, then, was the power of the Presi-
deut to injure the South, or invade the consti-
'utonaI rights of the Southern States He
was IN q minority in both Houses Of Congress,
and IN the Supreme Court, with large major
Hyof the American people opposed to him. He
was poweress. No legislation could De had
and no appointment made, without The appro"
'ai u the Southern States through the Demo
cratic party. The election Of President Lin
-2l was, then, no just ground Tor Secession.
but 1t was urged, Mr.. Chairman, that tbs
Republican party would soon obtain the ascen-
1ency IN both Houses of Congress- and then
Tue Constitutional rights OF the Southern States,
Would be destroyed There was no reason for
''.' assertion, anea wo rea.o. that majority