Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1871-03-24
Ex-Governor Perry to Governor Scott.
GREENvILLE, S. c., March Is, 1871.

q
Ex-Governor Perry to Governor Scott
GREENvnLE, S. G., March Is, 1871.
TO his Eccci2cacy GoUcraor Scott:
SlRl understand that you urc consulting
your political opponents, in every section OF
the State, MS to the best means of preserving
order, peace and the enforcement of the laws
in South Carolina. You have invited prom.
incnt gentlemen throughout the State to meet
you in Columbia for this laudahlo and pstri-
otto purpose. | believe sir, that sou arc now
sincere in this purpose, Notwithstanding your
"Winchcstcr rifle speech" in Washington a
year or two since, in which you iicnGshly
proclaimed tint this Instrument of DEATH in
the hand, Of the negroes of South Carolina.
was the most elective means Of maintaining
order and quiet in the State l rcjuicc to
find that change has come over the spirit
of your thoughts aud actious and |, for one,
am rcady and willing, with all tic good rco
pie Of the State, to sustain you in your pres
cnt course. The tonc and temper of your
recent message to tho Legislature is evidence
of your sincerity.
Pcrnit mo to say to you, sir, in al! cnn
dor and sincerity, that the si:;ns Of the times
indicate, Enthusiastically to my mind, that we
arc on the eve of bloody, tumuItuous commo.
.ion, unlass something is done to quiet public
opinion. The inceuliary destruction of prop
crty every night, and tho roaucry Of the
Legislature in their appropriations aud taxa
tiop, amounting ultimately to cou6Scation Of
all real and personal estate, cannot be bomo
much longer. There is a point beyonI which
human endurance cannot 90, let the consc
qucnccs oe what they may.
| know it is not in your power to reform
the Legislature, or stay cticctually their cor
ruption, bribery, prodigality and roguery.
But there are two things which you can do,
and should do, the sooner the better--tlisarm
your militia, and appoint good and intelligent
lien to office. All the lawleseness and vic.
lencc which have disgraccd the State have
been owing to these two sources of mischief
Never was there more fatal mistake, or
! more diaholical wrong committed, than when
you organized colorca troops throuy hout the
state, and put arms in,o their hands, with
powder aud ball, aud denied the same to the
white people. IL was atrocious. The bloody
| tragedy at lIaurens was owing to this, and
nothing else. The murder of Stevens and
other white men at Union by one Of your
negro companies, and tie subsequent oHocu
tion of ten colorcd prisoners, was owing to
the same cause. Tho fearful killing aud
murder of a number Of men u. Chester was
likewise owing to your colorrd militia. The
violence and iawle>snrss at Yorkvillc oyigiua
ted in one Of your worthless appointments
Heretofore, your appointments have been
mostly made o: ignorant and corrupt men
who cannot enforce the laws and preserve
the peace.
The co'orcd people of South Carolina be
havcd we'll during our evil war, and would
have continued to have done SO, but for the
unprincs.lcl carpet haggcr who came amongst
them aud stirred up hatred to the white race
by the most artiul and ds,iliah appeals t"
their fears and bad passions. unprincip'rd
white men living anongS Us, seeing op
purtuuity of office and plunder, joincd the
carpet baggrrs. These two classes united in
persuading the negroes that they would be
put back into slavery, and that they must
apply the torch to redress their supposed
w,nuas! 1t !s not Surprising th,t a People 50
ignorant and crrdnous as he negroes are,
should thus have been led astry. 'ihcy we're
told that lands would be given them aud
their children educated. Hundreds of thou.
sands OF dulars have been appropriated for
|'thi, purpose, and all sImndcrca aud stolnn
by their prciendod friends. a multiplicity
of Offices have been created to reward luhli
Gil parii>aus; salaries have been increased
millions appropriated Tor railroads, and the
most cx'ravh.;.nt waste Of public moneys in
every way! The public o!icers aud the
members Of the Legislature are charged with
tic most shameless corruption, bribery aud
ro"nrry. 1t is impossible ur the industry Of
the State to pay the taxes There is 10 Sc.
curity for property! 1t is impossible for the
thing to 20 on aud preserve order in the
State The State bonds vii! not be paid
earnestly desire The peace and prosperity
Of my State, | did al tia, could to pre-
vent the secession OF South Carolina and tie
civil war which cnsucd My predictions OF
all the evils which have eusutl were treated
with scorn and co";oinpt hy tnoac in power and
authority You, sir, ana those i'll power at
the present time, may not heed my p,cdic
tions again but the day is fast approaching
when you will realize all ,hat have said,
unless some change takes place.
Yours, &c. b. T. PERRY.
HEALTHY SIGNs.-rarson Cain, in the