Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1866-10-13
F Q T. II I O a T.
LETTER OF EX-GOV. PERRY,
10 TIE NEW YORK MASS MEETING.


GnEENyrbLR, S. c., September IL.
Mc$srs. Rtchuri N. Btutch/orl, Esq, and
others Of tie Cnmmittcc, ETC.:
have received your kind invitation to ad
dress the great mass meeting to be held in
the city of New York on tho 18th of Sep
tembcr.
Let me assure you, gentlemen, that 1 high
ly appreciate this compliment, and nothing
would give me greater pleasure than to COM, :,
Ply with your request But it is impossible
for me to leave home at present. My heart
and sympathics will be with you in the great
effort your arc making to restore our common
country to peace and prosperity to restore
:ne Federal Union aud the Federal Constitu-
ton, aud 10 prevent another civil war, which
will end in the destruction Of our Government
aud Republican liberty throughout the United
States of America.
1t is passing strange to nc that the men of
capital everywhere, the men who are engaged
in commerce and manufacture, and especially
they who have invested their fortunes in Gov
crnment securities, should not feel deep and
abiding interest in carrying out the policy of
the Philadelphia Convention. 1t does seen,
that the whole country, North and South has
suffered enough by the loss of 100000 brave
men fallen in battle, $4,000, 100000 expcn-
dcd and lost in war to satisfy the spirit of dis
union anywhere and everywhere.
IT the Radical party nrc triumphant in the
fall elections they will continue their usurpa-
ton of lcgislating for and taxing onc-third of
the States, without any representation in Con-
gress; they will exclude the Southern States
from participating in the ensuing Presidential
election; and they will be so animated with
their success that they will prepare articles of
impeachment against the President of the
United States. Ore third of the people of
all the States will be tyrannizing over two.
thirds. That this revolution, or attempted
revolution of our Government will produce
counter revolution is inevitable. We shall
have two Presidents, two Congresses, and two
armies in the field dc!uging the country in
blood and devastation.
If the Union could be restored once more,
and confidence in our Government be had by
the people, tho Southern State would stand a
chance of reviving, and becoming happy and
prosperous Their prosperity would add to
the prosperity of the Northern States. The
South looks to the North for her commerce
and manufactures. But at present we have
nothing to exchange. Nothing has been left
US but our lands We arc unable to work
them, and while thsagitation continues North
ern capital will seek no investment in them.-
We remain valucless, to the North and the
Government. Our banks arc all broken, our
railroad stocks valuclcss, our negroes emanci-
patcd, and heavy indebtedness remains
hanging over us without the possibility of pny-
ing it. This Indebtedness, too, is mainly due
Northern men.
There need be no apprehension on the part
Of tho North as to the South's wishing to re-
pudate the national debt or assume that of
the Confederate States. No honorable man
will think of the first, as the honor of the ma
ton is his honor; and no sane man in the
South will think tho latter practicable. Very
few would wish it if it were practicable.
In regard to the freedmen, there is a dis
position everywhere to protect them in their
persons and property, and our laws in South
Carolina will soon be altered SO ns to give them
the right to testify in all cases, and BIO tried
ms white men are. This has already becn
donc in many of tho Southern States. 1t is
impossible for tho General Government to con.
tinuc for any length of time its guardianship
Of tho negro. This must devolve on the State
Governments, and the people among whom
thcy 1.-Two Moreover, the freedmen will soon
find that tho Southern people aro their best