The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-03-23

From the GluMb;a PAenir.
Letter from Ex.Gorernor PerryIto the Pres
/ .ent Chief Magistrate.
-sze ,GnEENv1ILE, s. O., March IS, 1871.
fb he ErcslIemcy Gov. Scott
Slz: understand that you are consulting
your political opponents, In every. section o
the State, as to the best means of preserving
order, peace and the enforcement of the laws
in South Carolina. You have invited promi
hents gentlemen throughout the State to NEE
you in Columbia for this laudable and patri
otic purpose. i believe, sir, that you are nov
sincere IN this purpose, Notwithstanding youl
winchester rife speech" in Washington
year or two since, in which you fendishly pro-
claimed that this instrument of death, in the
hands of the negroes of South Carolina, was
the most effective means of maintaining order
and quiet in the State. rejoice to find thai
e change has come over the spirit of you
thoughts and actions; and /, for one, am ready
and willing, with all the good people of the
State, to sustain you in your present course
The tone and temper of your recent message te
the Legislature is evidence of your sincerity.
Permit me to say to you, sir, in all candol
and sincerity, that the signs of the times indi'
cate, unmistakably to my mind, that we are on
the eve Of bloody tumultuous commotion, un-
less something 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 confscation of all real and per.
sonal estate, cannot be borne much longer;
There is point beyond which human endu-
rance cannot go, let the consequences be what
they may. =,
know it is not in your power to reform the
Legislature, or 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.
ALI the lawlessness and violence which have
disgraced the State have been owing to these
two sources of mischief. Never was there q
more fatal mistake Or more diabolical wrong
committed, than when you organized colored
troops throughout the State and put arms inte
their hands, with powder and ball, and denied
the same to the white people. Itwas atroclous.
The bloody tragedy at Laurens was owing to
this, and nothing else. The murder OF Stevens
and other white men at Union by one of your
negro companies, and the subsequent execution
Of ten colored prisoners was owing to the same
cause. The fearful killing and murder OF a
number of men at Chester was likewise owing
to your colored militia. The violence and law
lessness at Yorkyille originated in one of your
worthless appointments. Heretofore, your ap-
pointments have been mostly made of ignorant
and corrupt men, who cannot enforce the Laws
and preserve the peace.
The colored people of South Carolina be-
hayed well during our civil war, and would
have continued to have done so, but for the un-
principled carpet-bagger who came amongst
Them and stirred up hatred to the white race
by the most artful and devilish appeals to their
fears and bad passions. Unprincipled white
men living amongst us, seeing an opportunity
of Office and plunder, joined the carpet-baggers.
These two classes united in persuading the ne
groes that they would be put back in slavery,
and that they must apply the torch to redress
their supposed wrongsl 1t is not surprising
that people SO ignorant and credulous as the
negroes are, should thus have been led astray.
They were told that lands would be given them
and their children educated. Hundreds of
thousands of dollars have been appropriated
for this purpose, and all squandered and stolen
by their pretended friendsl A multiplicity of
Offices have been created to reward political
partisans salaries have been increased, millions
appropriated for railroads, and the most ex-
travagant waste Of public moneysin every way !
The public officers and the members of the
Legislature are charged with the most shame
less corruption, bribery and roguery. It is i'm
possible for the industry of the State to pay the
taxes. There is no security for property 1t
is impossible for this thing to 60 on and pre-.
serve order in the State. The State bonds will
not be paid.
I earnestly desire the peace and prosperity of
my State. did all that could to prevent the
secession of South Carolina and the civil war
which ensued. Ny predictions Of all the evils
which have ensued were treated with scorn and
contempt by those in power and authority.
You, sir, and those in power at the present
time, may not heed my predictions again; but
the day is fast approaching when you will rea-
lie all that I have said unless some change
takes place. Yours, &C., B. F. PERRY.