The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1867-05-21
Gov. Perry,s t.essar,

SoN' Ferry's LeEEar--YS
8 Th@ Charleston 1ierea,sy has the
following comments on4hehst. letter.
of Gov. Perry: =, y a &.
Mr.. Perry, of course, has out be-,
fore us his anti-war Unionism, which,
considering the experiences of the
war, and the present condition of
things, cliciting his letters, some
might suppose he would be shy of
announcing. Saving this harmless
effervescence, wo object to one thing
in Mr.. Perry's letter-and that is the
counsel he gives, that the white race
should in Sonth Carolina vote against
the coll of q convention, and we OBJ
ject to this counsel simply because we
do not think that we can defeat the
call of the convention.
Mr.. Perry himself, in previous
letter, says that the black population
in this State arc more nIfncrous
than the whites, by 10000. Deduct
the women and children, and this
will give about Is, 900 voters. 15, 900,
therefore, is the majority of black
voters. Now, suppose the white
population votes against u convcn-
ton, is it likely that no portion of
this $1,000 majority will reach the
polls? II it does, the convention will
be called. The relative strength of
the white and black population will
be ascertaincd by tho registry, when
we will better understand The real
stntc of the case. .,-.o
To us it appears celtain that n por-
ton Of these 10, 900 voters will reach
the polls, if the white population op-
poses a convention; and a convention
will be called. And if a convention
is callel, by such division Of the
races at the polls, will not that very
antagonism which Mr.. Perry SO
strongly deprecates be put into full
operation? The first election is to be
held on this question; and if divi-
sion arise upon it, parties must be
formed, and their results secured for
all the after stages Of reconstruction,
by its operations.
IF, then, the white race united
cannot prevent the call of q conven-
ton in South Carolina, what use can
there be in their assuming an attitude
of organized antagonism? TO us it
appears that it will be far wiser, if
possible, to endeavor to keep the two
races together in harmony with each
other by acting together. If we fail
in this effort: through the influence
of Northorn omissarics and the hos
tility of the black population, be it
so. On them will be the fearful re-
sponsibility of the consequences
which will ensue.
The whole population, white and
black, voting for convention, the
organization of parties will truly
arise on the election of delegates to
the convention. Here will be u bet
ter field for keeping the races togc.
thcr.. The candidates will have theil
personal influence; and the white
population, having voted with the
black for convention, will be in q
better position to influence them.
BY proper energy OH the part OF
the white population, we have little
doubt that n conservative convention
can be elected.
We beg leave, however, to say,
that we are by no means satisfied that
the consequences of the military Act,
so forcibly depicted by Mr.. Perry,
will occur, oven if the black popula.
ton should control, for time, the
State. We have not the least appre.
hension that they will rule the white
population. That result may be ac-
complished by standing army OF
the 'chHe race in South Carolina; but
negroes, in no form or numbers, can
produce it. A terrible state of things
may be produced by such m attempt,
bnt it will fail utterly. Nor have we
the least fear that Il convention OF
negroes in South Carolina will con
liscate the lands of the white people,
for their benefit or appropriation. 1t
would require 10000 United States
troops i'll each District in the State to
turn the white population out OF
their homes and to put negroes into
them; and after such q, work was
| accomplished, it would have a 1e.
plorable tendency. TO be UNI ;,
Which all the troops of the United
States may fail to prevent.
--S-> NS--
li WOMES's RIGHTS the subicct