The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-03-22
LETTER FROM EX-GOVERNOR
PERRY TO G0vERRoT SCOTT.
GeEENv11LE, S. c., March 13. 1871.

GaEENv11IE, S. c., March lS, 1871
To his Ercel1ency Gosermor Scott:
SIR:-I understand that you are con.
sulting your politicsl opponents, in
every section of the State, as to the best
means of preserving order, peace, aud
the enforcement Of the laws in South
Carolina. You have invited prominent
gentlemen throughout the State to meet
you in Columbia, for this laudable and
patriotic purpose. believe, sir, that
you are now sincere in this purpose,
Notwithstanding your "Winchester rife
speech" in Washington, year or two
since, in which you iendishly proclaim
ed that this Instrument of death, in the
hands of the negroes of South Carolina,
was the most effective means of main
tainipg order and quiet iu the State. l
rejoice to find that change has come
ever the spirit of your thoughts and
actions; ard 1, for one, am ready and
willing, with all the good people of the
State, to sustain you in your present
course. The tone aud temper Of your
recent message to the Legislature is
evidence Ct your sincerity.
Permit me to say TO you, sir, in all
candor and sincerity, that the signs Of
the times indicate, unmistakably to my
mind, that we arc on the eve Of bloody
tumultuous commotioD, unless some
thing is done to quiet public opinion.
The incendiary destruction of property
every night, and the roguery Of the
Legislature in their appropriations and
taxation, amounting ultimately to con-
6scation of all real and personal estate,
cannot be borne much longer. There
is point beyond which human en-
durance cannot 90, let the consequence
be what they may.
/ know it is not ip your power to re'
form the Legislature, OF stay efectually
their corruption, bribery, prOdigality
and roguery. But there are two things
which you can do and should do, the
sooner the better-disarm your militia
and appoint good and intelligent men to
Office. All the lawlessness and violence
| which have disgraced the State have
been owing to these two sources Of mis-.
chief. Never was there more fatal
mistake, or a more diabolical wrong
committed, than when you organized
colorcd troops throughout the State and
put arms into their hands, with powder
aud ball, and denied the same to the
white people. 1t vas atrocious. The
bloody tragedy at Laurens was owing to
this. and nothing else. The murder ol
Stevens and other white men at Union
by one ofyour negro companies, and
the subsequent execution of tel colored
prisoners was owing to the same cause
The fearful killing and murder of 8
number Of men at Chester was likewise
owing to your colored militia. The
violence and lawlessness at Forkville
originated in one Of your worthless ap-
poiutments. Heretofore, your appoint"
men,s have been mostly made Of
ignorant and corrupt men, who cannot
enforce the laws and preserve the peace
The eolored people Of South Carolina
behaved we'll during our civil war, ane
would have continued TO nave done so.
but for the uDprincipled carpet-bagger
who came amongst them and stirred ~
hatred to the white race by the most
artful aud devliish appeals to their fears
and bad passions. Uuprincipled white
men living amongst us, seeing an op
portunity of Office and plunder, joined
the carpet bsggers. These two classes
united in persuading the negroes that
they would be put back in slavery, and
that they must apply the torch to re-
dress their supposed wrongs! 1t is not
surprising that people so ignorant and
creduious as the negroes are, should thus
have heen led astray. They were told
that lands would be given them and
their children educated. Hundreds OF
thousands of dollars have been appropri.
ated for this purpose, and all squandered
and stolen by their pretended friends
A multiplicity Of Offices have been
created to reward political partisans
salaries have been increased, millions
appropriated for railroads. aud the most
cxtravagant waste of public moneys in
every way The public officers and the
members Of the Legislature are charged
with the most shameless corruption,
bribery and roguery. 1t is impossible
for the industry of the State to pay the
taxes. There is no security for property
1t is impossible for this thing to go on
and preserve order in the State. The
State bonds will not be paid.
earnestly desire the peace and pros
perity of my State. did all that
could to prevent fhe secession of South
Carolina and the civil war which ersued.
Nv predictions of all the evils which
have ensued we're treated with scorn and
cootemp. hy those in power aud au-
thori,y. You, sir, aod those in power
at the present tine, may not heed my
predictions again; but the day is fast ap.
preaching when you will realize oil that
/ have said unless some change takes
place, -
Yours, &C., B. F. PERRY.
from the Unionville Times.
ANOTHER KU.KLUX MANIREgr0.