The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-05-22
GOV. PERRY's LAST LETTER.


NAV, therefore, infer that if he.cau find encourage
ment he means to become the political leader Of a
party That, not simply content with an express
sion Of his opinion, which was very natural in one
occupying his distinguished position in the State,
he Intends if possible to give practical effect to
that opinion, and induce such of his fellow-cltizens
as he can to Join him in the course Of action which
he recommends.
This letter reaches US at the same time with the
announcement that the Supreme Court has refused
leave to the States of Mississippi and Georgia to
file their petition for injunction.
The field therefore, Is clear, and the issue very
simple one.
The Reconstruction Act is to-day the law of the
land, with no possible obstacle in the way of its
execution.
The preliminary arrangements for the registra-
tion of the voters of the State have been ordered
The qualification of those voters is determined
by the Act, and as soon the registration is cem
plete an election for members of the Convention
will be held.
the slightest reference to our wishes or opinions,
and Governor Perry and the whole State, if it
agreed with him. could not undo what has been
done or prevent what will be done.
The simple question submitted to us, now, is
whether we will use such power as we have left US,
and go into the Convention for the purpose of
doing our best to make its action beneficial to the
interest of the State, and preventing the mischief
which our absence will most assurcdly provoke
Governor Perry advises the State most earnestly
not TO do so. l. Because, if We do not, matters
will, with the help Of the Democratic party, right
themselves one of these days.
With or without the Democratic party We have
no doubt that, as has been said long ago. "Time
and the hour runs through the roughest day :" but
to us the important point is 'swhen?" Governor
Perry does not pretend 10 assert that even this re-
action can come before the termination Of this Con-
grcss, that is two years hence, and as the Conven
tion will meet some time in the coming autumn,
all the evils the confscaton of our land, the sub
iugation of our race, which the Governor predicts
as the result at the Convention, will have been ac
complished Indeed, the plain statement Of this
argument seems to be, as Governor Perry told Gov.
Means '.That the State was going to the devil,
and he was going with it," he is not willing that
anybody should interfere with his journey, for the
j Governor will scarcely admit that we had reached
that uncomfortable point during the Provisional
Government.
2. Because, do what We may, we will not be adj
mitted to representation when we have done it.
This is Gov. Perry's opinion, formed in his
mountain solitude and under the influence of that
melancholy which always infects the minds of
great ACTORS in public affairs when they retire
from the stage Charles v. in the Escurial, Ma
poleon at Fon.ainblenu, Mr.. Weller the elder,
when he laid down the rens Of his Government.
took the same gloomy view of the future, and their
successors. But against even this opinion, we
think practical men can safely put the opinions OF
leaders like Sherman, and Fessenden, and Wilson,
and Colfax, and Frelinghuysen, the open and al
publican rress, and the whole current OF events
since the Adjournment of Congress.
And when the Governor says, The Union will
not be restored Until afssr rhe next Presidential
election-the voles of the Southern States are not
wanted in that election, We would usk if this is
So? if the Republican party is so overwhelmingly
strong. where is the hope of that Democratic reac-
tion. which is 10 be the result and the reward of
our patience.
8. Because the Con7cnsion will be controlled by
the vote of the freedmen in the laterest of the
widest radicalism.
We have us yet seen nothing TO justify this pre-
diction. Indeed the Governor himself says .'at
present out of the towns and villages, the negro
cares nolhiag about his right Of saff.age and Knows
nothing unless influenced by bad men. lie Will BOT
trouble himself to register or vole This however.
will not always be the case Does 1t 80, Occur ~
the Governor then that il woui be wise for us to
act while il is the case-,hat now while according
10 his own account, the great mass OF he colored
vote of the State is willing TO trust political power
10 the white, that we should use it, use it wisely
and justly, so that as they do take an interest IN
their right of suffrage they may contnue TO ;eel
that their confidence has not been misplaced
We have endcavorcd at various times 10 put this
issue gravey and honestly before our people; SO
oflen indeed, that wc do not think it nseu to re-
produce the argument. 1t comes too near home
10 our dearest and most sacred interests not to
force itself upon the attention of every man who
feels that he has any responsibility to his country.
With Judgment, perseverance and energy we be-
lieve that the Convention to be held in this State
can and will be controlled for good of course
there will be much to discourage, some things to
dishearten and even disgust us. But isolation
from the active struggle will save US moi one hu-
initiation or misfortune. With our genuine respect
for Governor Pcrry,wis our knowledge of the
courage with which lie maintains his convictions,
and the influence which is justly due to his long
and honorable life, we would have hailed with Pc
culiar pleasure the cooperation of his ability and
influence iu the effort We are making to meet the
difficulties of a painful, but an inevitable position