The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-02-19
From the Charleston Mcrcuyv.
LETTER FROM GOVERNOR PERI

degradation, ufamy and ruin, which await them,
politically, socially and pecuniary are indeed ap-
palling. They are now standing, as it were, on
magazine of powder, which spark may at any
time, ignite and blow them into eternity. There
is in our midst q black Volcano whose upheayings
and partially smothered throes, are unmistakabe
of n terrific explosion. And yet no one seems
alarmed or thinks of making the slightest effort to
rescue himself, his family or country from the
threatened destruction Nero's fddling whilst
Rome was burning is prudence and virtue to our
present insensble and voluntary stupor anu lndlf-
ference
There is great party Mt the North struggling
for our salvation, and doing all that heroic and
patriotic men do, to rescue the people of the
South and the Republic from tyranny, dishonor
and death, whilst we are not raising hand to help
them in this fearful mortal conflict. Are the
Southern people lost to all shame insensible to NIL
honour and indifferent to the safety of themselves
their families and country If they are not it be-
hooyes them to be up and doing before 1t Is too
late Let there be, at once. IN this State, IN every
district, town, village and neighbourhood Demo-
cratic party to affiliate with, and act in concert
with the National Democratic party in the North
crn States. This will strengthen them, and en-
courage them in their noble and patriotic resis-
tance to the tyranny of reckless Congress, whose
sole purpose seems to be- to destroy the liberties OF
.beir country, and establish negro despotlsm IN
the South
The Radical party, through the instrumentality
of vile emissares oucasts OF society from the
North, and poor, ignorant and deluded negroes,
are thoroughly organized throughout the soutn,
in every State district and neighbourhood. Their
secret Union Leagues are everywhere, and through
them they have deceived the negro and bought up
mean and unprincipled whites, by the temptation
of Office from that of governor down to constable.
| In this way they have got control OF the State,
whilst the honourable, patriotic, intelligent and
virtuous have been supineIy inactive and inditfer-
ent. This must not be so any longer. If the Con-
scryative men of the State will organize every
where. and exert their influence, they may yet
open the eyes of the negro, to the inevitable de
struct;on which awaits them as n race and people.
They may control, at least the best portion OF
them and induce them to vote against the ratlh-
cation of the constitution, or stay away from the
| polls Intelligence, virtue and wealth must exert
powerful influence over any and every people
where properly applied.
BY organizing Democratic clubs, in every neigh
bourhocd, and having central club, at the Court
house. sending delegates to meet in convention, at
| Columbia, the Conservative Democracy may net IN
concert all over the State, and in harmony with the
National Conservative Democracy, throughout the
| United States Such organization is absolutely
| necessary in the coming Presidential election. We
| must have it, 10 send delegates TO tue National
Democratic Convention, which will assemble in
Nav. to nominate candidates for President and
Vice-Presidcnt of the United States. We must
have it for the purpose Of nominating and oectlng
electors of President and Vice President, for South
Carolina. We must have it for the purpose OF
nominating and elecing Governors and oil State
officers, should the ncgro-Yankce constitution be
ratified in South Carolina, which God i'll His mercy
arrest.
Blu, above all we must have Democratic organ
zation for scil defence and protection. in this wild
fanatical revolution which is now going on IN our
beloved and once honoured State. Let every one,
who regards his own life, the honor Of his family,
and the preservation of his property and liberty,
set to work Immediately in ihe formation OF these
associations, in his immediate ueighbourhood Let
him draw up n written constitution for the associ-
alton, founded on Democratic principles, and get
TO sign il who will, both black aud white. pledging
themselves to act in concert with the National d.
moe, acy in preserving The Constitution Union and
liberty OF the Republic, the protection OF oil, equn'
lv, in the enjoyment Of life liberty, property and
the pursuit of happiness, before The law and In
obedience to law.
The present condition of society in South Caro-
linn. is indeed, most wretched, miserable one.
Every night we hear of confagrations, murders
and roLberics
In the Rcconatruciion act, of Congress it is ex-
prcssly stated that The military authorities are sent
amongst us 10 protect life, properly and preserve
the peace of society. Bui instead of this being
done, crime has increased tcnlod in our midst,
since the advent of our military protectors and IS
still frighlfully increasing 1t may be said that
we are in tile midst Of a savage war, and the saw
age within our owle possessions, believing himself
protected by the government 1t does seem that
the day is not far distant when the white race will
have TO work hard to support the grown negroes
in cur jails aud penitentiary, and their children in
free schools and the poorhouses.
What commentary on Republican institutions
is that unlawful and usurped assembly now sitting
in your Club House. forming constitution for the
once rroud, glorious and honoured State of South
Carolina. Composed. MS it is of negroes, unprin-
cipled and ignorant whitc men, traitors to their
race and country, on,casls of Northern society,"
and adventurers, black aud white Yankees, with
constitution benring internal evidence OF its having
been written by some gnoraut Northern Abolition
list, and sent here for adoption.
If under these circumstances the people of this
State will not exert themselves in concert with the
National Democracy and the President of the Uni
ted States, to. prevent this vile and putrd patch
work of government being -addlcd on them and
their posterity. then they deserve their fate. and
are worthy of being the slaves OF negroes and the
outcasts of Northern society. But never, never
can believe such calumny and SANDER feel
assured every newspaper in the St@;e will sound
the alarm, and so 10 work earnestly and zcalousy
in so good cause, and that every prominent man
in his neighbourhood will exert himself, and that
even the good negroes will lend their aid in protcc-
ting themselves and their country There is class
| of white men in South Carolina who are seeking
Office that We may expect no aid or sympathy from.
The finger of scorn will ever hereafter be pointed
at them and their posterity in oil time to come, as
the Judas lscarots of their race.
In conclusion, Messrs. Editors, let me make this
further suggestion as to the formation of these so
cieties OF Democratic clubs all over the State.
There should be President and Vce-President, a
Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer elected by
the society. They should meet as often as convene
lent, and each member should consider himself
committee to induce others to join. Every one
should endeavour to disseminate Democratic news
naners md snecches and essays in his neighbour