The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-11-12
THE TRUTH OF HISTORY.
President johnson Defended Against
Depew and Grant.

President johnson Defended Against
Depew and Grant.
The following letter from Ex-Governor
B. F. Perry, Of this State, in reply to
the Depew.Grant after dinner story about
President johnson will be read with
interest, and is a valuable contribution
to the literature of the subject, both on
account of the unimpeachable integrity
of the writer and the peculiar opportu-
mites which he enjoyed of being familiar
with the topic of which he writes.
Governor Perry was personal friend of
President Johnson, and he writes with
feeling as we'll as vigor. In private
letter accompanying his communication
he says that he wishes it published "for
the truth of history and the defence of a
slandered man ~
SANS SoUCI,
GREENvILLE, S. c., Nov. 2, 1885.
To the Editor Of the Ne,us and Courier: !:
The communication of Mr.. Depew,
purporting to give conversation with
Gen. Grant at dinner table, in reference
to the conduct of President johnson after
the close of our civil war, is in my opin-
ion a tissue of slanderous falsehoods
from beginning to end and once before
Gen. Grant was convicted by the whole
of Johnson's Cabinet of want of verac-
ity between him and Johnson.
That Johnson was in favor Of hanging
the leading Southern men at the close of
the war; that he was afterwards fiattered
by the Southern aristocracy and changed
his policy towards the Southern States,
and that finally he was in favor Of organ
izing a revolutionary Congress, with the
Southern members and such of the
Northern members as would go into this
Congress. is absurd and preposterous.
Immediately after the close of the war
I was appointed Provisional Governor of
South Carolina, and went on to Wash
ington before any such extraordinary
aristocratic influence could have been
brought to bear on him. I had several
private aud confidential interviews with
the President. He said nothing about
trying to hang Confederate generals and
politicians. On the contrary he vas
kind aud forgiving in his conversation
and said all he wished was to see the
Southern States restored to the Union
and slavery abolished. He was disposed
to pardon all who would take the oath
prescribed by him. I told him that all
the people in South Carolina would be
disposed to adopted his suggestion and
be once more loyal to the Federal Gov
ernment. He was much pleased at the
information I gave him in regard to
South Carolina, and requested me to call
On Mr.. Seward, and the other members
of his Cabinet, and tell him what had
told him. did so, and my information
was sgratifying to them all. BE expressed
wish that all the Southern States would
Immediately elect Senators and members
of Congress so that they might be able to
take their, seats when Congress met.
President Johnson was man of great
6rmness and integrity of character
devoted to the Constitution and the
Union of the States. He deeply deplored,
whilst strong Southern man and born
Democrat, the unwise course pursued by
the South in consequence of Lincoln's
election to the Presidency. AT that time
the Democratic party had majority in
both Houses of Congress and majority
of the Supreme Court. President Lin.
coin therefore was powerless to oppress
or injure the Southern States.
johnson was a warm Southern man
and made, just before the election OF
Lincoln, the best and ablest speech ever
made in the Senate of the United States
on the Southern question. He was q
highly gifted man, and I heard distin-
guished lawyer of Tennessee, opposed to
him in politics, say he was the most intel
lectual man he had ever met
1t is great mistake to suppose that
President johnson could be influenced
by wealth or aristocracy to pursue q
course different from his own convictions
of duty in any matter. II is true that ne
had no respect for wealth or aristocracy,
unless united with integrity and honor,
love of country and Republican institu.
tions. He said once in my presence,
addressing a charitable and religious
association, that he respected all sects
of the Christian religion, and regarded
every honest man as brother"
It is foolish to suppose that johnson,
who loved and idolized the Constitution
and hated war and revolution, should
have been in favor of organizing revo-
lutionary Congress and involving his
country in another civil war. No one
who ever knew President johnson can
believe such an absurd story. That he
regretted, deeply regretted, the Southern
members of Congress were not allowed
to take their seats, l know to be true.
On my return to Columbia Gen. Pres
ton, DR.. Laborde, Mr.. Alfred Huger,
Mr.. DeSaussure and other gentlemen,
called on me at Col. ]. B. Campbell's to
hear the news from Washington. !
stated to them the kind, forgiving and
magnanimous policy President johnson
was disposed to pursue towards the South,
and did pursue. They thought L had
been deceived, but afterwards acknowl-
edged their error.
B. T. PERRY.