The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-05-03
Letter from E1-Govcrnor Perry.

Letter from Ex-Governor Perry.
{ To lie Editors Of Tie Columbia Phuni.r:
The people Of South Carolina were
+ persuaded, six or seven years ago,
Fhat their only hope of maintaining
african slavery was in the destruction
of the American Union and the form
htion of Southern Confederaoy. I
Hid not think so, and raised nv warn
ing voice against this fatal delusion.
said to them that slavery was safer
lin the Union than it could be in a
separate confederacy. I told them
that the extinction of the Union
would be the death-knell of slavery.
They spurned my counsel, and madly
rushed into bloody civil war, which
ended in the abolition of slavery.
Now they are being persuaded,
again, that the only way to save their
lands from the confscation of Con-
gress, is in adopting the provisions of
the military bill, giving universal
suffrage to the negro, and disfran-
chising their leading public men. 1t
is with sad heart that I see indica.
tions, all over the State, of a prepa-
ration to adopt this second delusion,
which will prove more fatal to the
State than the first has been. It is
true, they lost, by the first, their
property in slaves, and involved their
country in long and bloody war.
which desolated the State and sacri-
feed thousands of their most gallant
sons; it is true, also, that they were
conquered, and have been placed
under q military government. But
now they are going to sacrifice their
honor ms. people and lose their
lands into the bargain! They are
going to enfranchise 10000 black
votes, and surrender the political
power of the State into the hands of
- e negroes! The inevitable result
~ this delusion and criminal folly
will be the establishment of the most
,atrocious government and horrible
state of society that civilized peo-
pie were ever subjected to.
Already the negro watch-cry in
Virginia and elsewhere is, LANDS
for the landless!" Clones for the
\ houseless!' Political equality to all
men, regardless of caste or color!'
What avail will 10000 white votes
have in South Carolina, with this
Watch-cry ringing at the polls? It is
Egainst nature and reason to suppose
fthat an Ignorant and debased maiori-
ty will not pursue their own interest,
regardless of right, and carry out
their wicked purposes, whatever they
may be. It is possible to restrain
them at first, before they acquire
concert of action. Hence the i'm
portance Of defeating the call of a
convention ut the first election, be-
fore this majority is organized and
emboldened by agitation and evil
counsels. 1t cannot be controlled
afterwards, but will make South Ca
rolina q political and social pandemo-
mum. Is there an instance in the
worlds history Of a class of men.
invested with political power, who
did not unite to promote their own
interests?
just rs sure rs general suffrage is
given to the negro, in South Carroll
na, he will feel his numerical strength,
and sooner or later, under the vile
lead of Black Republican emissaries,
seize the political power of the State,
and exercise it to oppress and plum
der the white race. There are thou
sands of unprincipled white men
amongst us, who will unite their des-
tiny with the negro for the sake OF
spoils and plunder. They will easily
1a1
selves, that it is right and proper
that the lands Of the Stute should be
divided out equally amongst all OF
her citizens. Every one should have
q home-the poor freedman as well
as his former rich master. Having
the power in their hands, with this
belief, it is folly and stupidity to sup
pose they will not execute it. They
must serve on juries and hold office
ride with you and your wives and