The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-05-10
Letter from Gov. Perry.

Charleston Ne,cs:
Ex-Governor Perry wrote q letter
to the editor of the New York Tri-
dune, dated April Is, and which is
published in the issue of that journal
of May 3. The letter, quite q lengthy
document, treats of such topics as
we have frequently been regaled with
in the testimony of Southern men be-
fore the Reconstruction Committee
In Washington. AS the Governor
was not undergoing the thumb-screw-
ing process at the time, he was able
to take wider range, and tell the
men of the North fully and circum-
stantially what the condition of the
South Is at present; discusses the
questions of suffrage and representa-
ton, and after showing up some of
the leading fallacies in vogue among
Northern logicians, he says:
Glow unreasonable it is in Won
Northern men to suppose that we
have less sincere regard for the ne
gro than you have. 1t is against ma
ture, and contrary to all reason and
experience. The negroes have been
onr slaves and property, the objects
of our care and attention. They are
known to MS, and have lived with us
for years past. They have descended
to MS from our ancestors, and were
the objects of their care and solici-
tnde. In many instances, they and
their progenitors have been in our
families for more than century.
There are others who have been raised
by us, or have grown mp with us as
companions, faithfully serving us
through life. Is it not most likely
that we should, under these circum-
stances, feel deeper interest in their
welfare than strangers? The South
ern people are not less humane, or
less ailectionatc, or less influenced
by sentiments Of honor, than the
Northern people are They are as
generous and as kind to persons in
distress. 1 think their history and
character rs Il people show this.
Why, then, need yon trouble your
selves so much about the protection
of the negro?''
He next goes on to show what
emancipation has already done for
the negro race in the South; in this
confirming the testimony lately given
by Judge Sharkey, of Mississippi.
before the Central Directory at Wash
lngton; that the next United States
census would show decrease of 25
per cent. in the colored population:
the 100000 of 1890, would be
found to he scarcely 3,OOO,O 600 in
1870.
The influence exerted by the Freed
mems Bureau, encouraging the negro
IN ldleness and vice, is the next point
made by Senator Perry. He then
adverts to the alleged philanthropy,
upon which all this guardianship of
''the nations wards" is based; and
he uses the following ayumentum al
h0ailteM:
''If You really and sincerely wish
to protect and benefit the negro, why
do yon not take him North and pro-
vide for him? The Southern ped4e
would be very glad to have u large
portion of them sent to you, espe-
clally those who will not labor, and
whom you are now protecting in idle
hess ut the expense Of the Southern
people. Having them at home with
you, and Immediately under your
own supervision, you may be able to
benefit them. But it is impossible to
DO SO, when they are thousand
miles from you. While they remain
III the Southern States, they will have
to look ultimately to the Southern
people for protection.
And again he asks:
why is it that You love the negro
so well and hate the white race so
much? They have erred and gone
astray, it is true; but they are now
penitent, and are asking mercy at
your hands. Their punishment and
suffering, it would seem, were enough
to satisfy the most malignant revenge,
and ought certainly to appeal to q
philanthropist like yourself. You
should remember that there are thou
sands of Union men in the Southern
States guiltless of their country's
wrong, who are suffering equally
with those who brought on this re-
bellion."
LAURENs DISTRICT. The Herald,
folkinr nf calaIou cove.