The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-06-24
An Ante -BeIlum Letter That Got
lHr. Perry Moses job.

cumstances surrounding the writing
OF the letter and Mr.. Moses appoint
ment TO $1,000 Office in the postal
service are somewhat peculiar.
Mr. Moses applied for place Just
al the close of Bgehanan's administra-
tion. Hehad prominent backing fol-
the important place he desired, and
Horatao King, who was then First As
sastsnb Postmaster General, wrote him
personal letter suggesting that he
send q communication to the depart
ment On the state Of the Union. Mr..
King selected sbis subject because ii
happened to be the first that came in
his mind. and the letter from MIR.
Moses was desired merely to show the
latter's qualifications IN the line OF
penmanship composition, etc. The
following was the result:
Washington, d. O., june Is. 1860.
Sir: You asked me this morning
for an expression Of my opinion on the
state OF the Union--the subject is one
of grave and vast Importance, involv-
ing as it does the interset Of probably
over 80, coo, 900 inhabitants.
1t is. at this time engrossing the
thoughts Of not only every thinking
man and patriot, but even women and
children-for the interests of all are
indissolubly connected by links of
the same chain. Cur political horizon
is shrouded in gloom and darkness
and the ship of state hangs lowering
on the verge Of death !; none can say
If she will weather the storm or be
engulfed in the awful abyss that yawns
around. We hear the breakers and
we feel the storm, but God alone who
rules the whirlBind can say if she
Will reach a harbor of safety or be
shattered into thousand fragments.
Section is now unhappily arrayed
against secticn; November 6, the big
day that the destinies of our country
and our institutions will decide
whether or not We shall pursue the
even tenor of Qua way, peaceful and
prospering, under.a Democratic rule,
or witness the triumph of a party
whose policy it is feared, may be bit-
terly hostile to the South and her in-
stitutions; an event which from pre-
sent appearances We have but too much
reason to expect.
New York is noW the palladium Of
our safety; may she in her conserya-
tivsness, hurl back the advancing tide
OF secfionalism and dispel the dark
clouds Of anxiety and trouble which
now lower around Us. Should the
fa5es decree it otherwise I fear the
agitation that will ensue may sever
the bonds that now unite US as one
people.
The state Of excitement prevailing
Ia my native State and other sections
of the South is more intense than l
haYasev witnessed and perhaps upon
the first news of Lincoln's election,
viii induce measures that may eyentu
ate dissolution. Whatever the result
Of the election I. trust in God that
affairs may so shape themselves that
the people of the South may find that
neither their safety or their honor
demand such extreme measures.
am very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Perry Moses.
Hon. Horatio King, First Assistant
Postmaster General.
Despite the expressions contained in
the letter Mr.. King Immediately ap-
pointed the writer TO an excellent place
In the Postofice Department. Post
master General Payne read MIR. Moses's
letter the other day when it was
brought to him by the appointment
clerk, and then looked up the record
of the case. When he found that
Noses had been appointed to a good
place at liberal salary he whistled
and remarked:
Good Lord! How any one in
authority in these dark days just pre-
ceding the civil war could appoint a
man 10 a Federal Office after he had
written letter containing such rebel
sentiments as those expressed by Mr..
Perry Moses Of Charleston, S. c., is
more than I can see: Then, if at any
time the. country needed good and
faithful servants, servants true and
loyal who would stand by the rudder-
less ship of state, so feelingly de-
scribed by the rebel applicant, until
it either ran on the rocks or reached
the haven Of safety.
But I presume that the letter
showed what was desired-that Mr..
Moses was an excellent penman, a
good composer, a gentleman OF feeling
and imagination-and that was all
that vas desired. After reading the
Moses letter I wasn't a bit surprised
to fnd on looking up the records in the
case that he served short five
months as an employee of the Post
Office Department and at the end OF
that time resigned his position to
espouse the Southern cause.
Mr.. Moses, on leaving the depart
ment, did not forget his South ern
courtesy The following is his letter
to Mr.. King. who admired the pen
manship and winked at his sentiments
Washington, D. c., Feb. 26, 1851.
Hon. Horatio King, Postmaster Gene
raj.
nv Dear Sir: In leaving the Post
Office Department allow me to ten
der my thanks for the uniform courtesy
and kindness with which you have ever
treated me.
have repeatedly expressed my
sense Of the obligation to others, and
beg to assure you personally that
shall ever hold you in grateful remem-
brnce. With esteem and respect.