The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1867-04-25
From the Columbia PGpix.
Governor Perry's Letter.

+ Governor Perry's Letter.
The communication that we publish.
cd in yesterdays issue will attract at.
teation, from the high position which |
the writer has occupied, for many years,
in the public affairs of the State, and
on Account of his political antecedents-
being always an earnest, consistent
Union man, aud opposing notification
and secession. There 10 NO public man
in our State who has clearer record |
for political consistency and devotion TO |
the Union. This record doubtless in.
duced the President TO appoint him
Provisional Governor, 10 direct and con.
trof the measures then deemed necessa,
~ to restore the State to the Uniou.-
The President failed in his policy; and
the last constitutional amendment was
submitted 10 the States for ratification,
aud rejected by the Soathern States
To this course, Governor Perry advised,
through the. columns of this journal,
and he now proffsrs counsel TO the peg
pie as totheir action under the militia.
ry reconstruction law. -. ... .-
We regret exceedingly that, al this
juncture Of our political affairs, Gov.
Perry considered it his duty TO lar be-
fore the peopse any arguments calcula
ted to produce the impression on their
minds that they ought not to organize
their State Government in conform;tv
with the provisions Of the military till.
The constitutional amenGmeur. it j.
true; was opposed by nine tennis Of The
people, and rejec:ed with "scorn anr. in.
dignation ey Southern Legislatures.
But did that rejection, with remarkable
unanimity. throughout the Southern
States, bring to them any easier terns.9
"Ssrange TO say" the Governor writes,
"that there are many persons whose
high sense Of honor would not let ihem
adopt the constitutional amendment. Enl
are now urging the people % voIuu;a'i
ly swallow the military bill, regaidiess
Of honor, principle and con>i<tencv."
We do not see anything strange"
nor anything at variance with con,is.
tency, that those who counsrleG r,jnc
tion Of what was considered a harSh
amendment Of the Constitution, should
now advise the people to obey a, law,
passed under all the forms at least Of
the Constitution. The folmer we had
the posoer TO reject the latter demands
obedience, and obeying il Involves uei,h
err honor, principle nor con,i>tcncv."
This is no argument at all, aui we sin.
cerely regret that the hackneyed phrases
Eof Swallowing. anything degrading
should be used in discussing a grave
question, tha; involves not onlv the no.
lilical interests of the State and peoplr.
but their progress in material prosperi-
ty. The people Of South CaroIina have
come face to face with the reality Of
their present situation, and we do not
believe that, il even their great political
leaders Of The past were TO, talk about
honor and dignity, and principle ard
all that sort Of thing. they would follow
their counsels. The first movement is,
To. get restored to The Union the next,
to reeuperaie and develop their resour-
ices. ...... ....'
We have not the hope that any al.
vantage will result to the Southern
States from the injunction against the
law now pending before the Supreme
Court, which Governor Perry evidently
entertaius. The Chief Justice has AL
ready decided that the President can
not be emade a party TO these bills Of
complaint, and that he is bound TO ex~
ecute a law Of Congress without let or
hindrance from the Judicial Department
Of the Government; and although. il
may be the last noble effort Of Southern
States to maintain their dignity and
honor as States, and the just rights and
liberties Of their citizens, yet Governor
Perry has had too much experience in
the fields of politics, and too we'll ac, |
quainted with the tactics and policy Of
the majority ID Congress, to hope that
the decision Of the Court, il favorable,
wonld work any ameliora.ion in the
distressed condition of the Southern,
people. Such q decision would only
infisme their passions, and rekindle SEQ.
tional s'rife---that great bans Of the
country's advancement and prosperity.
The adyiee which the distinguished
writer Of the communication referred to I
Ito endorse, j" No Convention |" on the
tickets As they are deposfsed--with all
due Differences, We say,is q grave erron
and fruitful Of mischief IL acted upon by
the people. We had fondly hoped to
see--and we believe il is the determine
tion an Of overwhelming majority Of the
citizens Of the State, that 10 shall be 60
the MANILA of Sontb Cas,l;n.E n...x, 4