The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-09-01
Another Speech Of Gov. Perry.
= EnservievW with the President. and.
the Mtembers Of HIS, Cabinets

The following speech. was delivered at
Greenville, 8. c., by Gov: Penny, on An-
gust LIST, on his return from. Washington /:
FKLLow-CrT1zENs: + have met you thia
morning, not to make speech, but to talk
over the incidents of my Late visit to. Washing
ton Istarted there, three weeks since Is
your delegate, to ask for the appointments q
Provisional Governor, and. the restoration Of
I met messenger from bib Excellency Preei-
dent johnson, bearing commission appoint
ing me Provisional Governor of the State.
This was an honor which had not anticipated
and never aspired to. .-'.,.
On my arrival in Washington, addressed a
note to the President, asking the honor Of an
audience, for the purpose of receiving his in
views in reference to thepolitical tone and tenn
per of the State.
We were received very cordially and re-
NAMED an hour or two with the President. I
told him that the people of South Carolina &C.
cepted the terms OF bis proclamation, and were
disposed to return to their allegiance to the
Union. That from having been one Of the
most rebellous States in the South, I was sat-
lstted 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 as 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 pur-
sue, and instead of nanifesting any bitter or
fevengefnl spirit, he evinced great kindness,
solicitude and maenanimity. The Whele dele.
cation was deeply impressed with the courtesy.
dignity and ability Of his Excellency. His DO
htical views expressed to US were those Of a
patriot and Statesman. He wished to see the
country once more euiet, peaceable, 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
expressed in Seuth Carolina.
He was equally opposed to the centraliza
ton and consolidation of tpowers in Congress
as he was to the secession of the States. Il
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 IA 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 him
informed as to any difficulty which might
meet with in organizing q provisional govern
ment. said to him, r have already, Mr..
President organized o provisional government
tor South Carolina by adopting the State gov
eminent have issued my proclamation or
dering all civil officers in South Carolina to
take the oath of allegiance and resume their
official duties" "Well," said he, lyon are q
most expeditions Governor" replied saying
that my appointment came late and I thought
it necessary to work rapidly. further said TO
him that would have the State ready, with
the Constitution reformed and her members Of
Congress elected, by the first Monday in De-
cember, when Congress convened.
In coaclusion, let me say to you. fellow.eiti-
zens, that I 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
TO the convention, reform our State Constitu-
ton, abolish slavery, equalize the representa-.
ton of the State in the Senate, give the cleo.
ton of Governor and Presidential electors to
the people, and all will be well. Immediately
after the convention has reformed the consti-
tuition. tho Legislature viii Be convened to
elect United States Senators, and provide for
the election of members of the House of Rep.
resentattves in Congress. This may all be done
by the first Monday in December next when
the State will be fully restored to her rights
under the Constitution and laws of the United
States.