University of South Carolina Libraries
COLUMBIA." Thursday Morning, May 16,1867. Letter from Ex-Guv. Perry. Wo pnblisb, this morning/ another lotter from Hon. B. F. Perry, and it is ono that we feel wo can commend to the careful perusal of our readers. Hin two former communications to this paper have been extensively pub? lished throughout tho Slate, arti, of coarse, bis views and position at tho present time must bo familiar to a large majority of the voters, and? at mis trying juncture-of pnblio nffhirs, will be carefully weighed and consi? dered by them. . There aro many truths iu tho pre *" sent letter which will he acknow? ledged and felt by thousands of true bearted Carolinians, even while dissenting, not so much from his views of tho past as from the course bo indicates for their present action under tho circumstances in which they aro placed. We will accord to bim honesty ol purpose. This is nil the point of difference between Gov. Perry and ourselves, and those who think with us. None doubt the truth of much that he bas written, for bis statements are undeniable; but very many fail to perceive tho wisdom of the policy be suggests, or share in bis apprehensions of the dire results of a failure to pursue the course he recommends. While many hearts beat responsive to tbo mournful pic? ture he has drawn of the sad, Bad ?change which has como over thc spirit of Carolinians, they look around them and see that there is no way ol escape from tho ruinous and great evils that now press sorely upon them, but obedience to the laws which an unfriendly party and Con? gress has forced upon them. Few will doubt the sinoerity of thc ?convictions of tho writer, which he expresses as to the future of the peo pie of this arid other States, sh o nit they re-organizo under tho present laws; but with us, they feel that h< is mistaken. Wo do not believe thal tho colored people-that is, any in flucntial portion of them-at least ii this State, will become antagonists to the whites, among whom thei were born and raised, by the selfisl and hypocritical declamations o radical orators, who como to wheedl< and coax thom to sustain that party purely for party purposes. Many o the most intelligent, and consequen tl1 the most influential, among tho co lored people know, aud aro tho roughly convinced of tho true objec of their efforts, und will act and go vern themselves and others in accord auce with their convictions. And again, with thc lights befor us-the speech of Speaker Colfax, ai extract from which we published yes terday; the expressions of Senato Wilson on various occasions; th tone and avowed sentiments of nenrl all tho Republican press of th North-wo believe that the distil . guishod writer is mistaken in hi expressed apprehensions that the prc . sent reconstruction mensures, faitl folly carried out, will not bo a finnlit to the sectional difficulties now iuej istence. Wo think they aro; aud' a though we may be mistaken ourselves yet should tho party in power prov recreant to their pledges in tins ri spoct, by faithfully carrying out tl measures they have enjoined upo us, we will have tho consolation < knowiug wo have done our dui; while their broken faith will be tl rook upon which the party will spli and bo utterly shipwrecked. With these romnrks, wc submit tl .present letter to tho consideration i oar readers and tho people of tl State generally. All tho writer h? said of our changed political situ tion and tho broken spirit of our pe pta will have a cordial sympathy fro thoso who read this letter, while tl exposition of bis own political slain iu tho past and at tho present tim will force all to accord to him tl great virtues of sincerity, honesty purpose aud perfect consistency. -? ? ? ? THE NEW GEOHGIA BISHOP.-rTl Georgia Diocesan Convention of tl Episcopal Church, now in sessio have elected unanimously Dr. Jol W. Beckwith, of New Orleans, Bishop, vice Bishop Elliott, decease Tho Bishop elect is a nativo North Caroliun, and about thirt eight years of age. Ho graduated Barnard Collego, Mass., in 1852, wi honors, and is highly spoken, of f his extensive loaming and dec piety. ? ? i n -m i > . . i n -~~-: Hr. I)n.vl? In Court-HU Urlcoir. We have read with much interest the detailed report of the appearance of Mr,, Davia itt the United Statis Court lat Richmond, last Monday, and tho interesting scene* which took place during tho preliminary hearing, and those which followed tho an? nouncement of his discharge. The entrance of Horace Greeley, precisely at ll o'clock, created great excite? ment among tho large andionco who filled tho court room. Tho, entrniice of the distinguished prisoner, escort? ed by General Burton, and his being formally turned over to tho ci vir au? thorities, in responso to tho writ of habeas corpus, is said to have been a very affecting scene. Tho deafening applause which rang through the court room when Judgo Underwood gave tho order: "Tho Marshal will discharge the prisoner," created such a furore that, amid the huzzas and tho waving of hats, the Assistant Marshal had to exclaim, in a loud voice, ' 'The court will have to bo cleared unless order is preserved." After his re? lease, Mr. Davis received many con grutulations and took his departure, the court Adjourning until the next day. ? fe. Thus ended tho two years' impri? sonment of the first and chosen rep? resentative of tho people who com? posed the late Confederacy. It is au event that will give joy and gladness to tho whole of that people, and is an act that will do moro to restoro friendly feelings between the people of both sections, and will be more effectual iu effacing tho mischievous effects of the harangues of itinerant party demagogues, thau any that could have been done by tho Govern? ment. We have no doubt but this act of clemency-late though it comes-will bo a powerful instru? mentality in restoring mutual good feelings between tho wholo people ol tho United States. Letter from Hon. B. V. Perry. To the Editors of the Columbia Phoenix It is most extraordinary, indeed, and will be as terrific in its result: as it is now strange and wonderful, to see an educated, refined and gal laut people seeking repose and pro tection from apprehended politica evils under the government and con trol of their former slaves-an in fe rior race, utterly ignorant and de based! There is nothing in tho history of all the nations of the earth, fo: the last six thousand years, compara bio to it, in folly and madness. Fu ture ages will regard it as the mas remarkable fatuity that ever possessei any people. What a change has come over tb spirit and feelings of South Carolim withiu the lust seven years! Tin Federal Union was then beniticent republican and constitutional. Ther was not uh Act of Congress, for eigh previous years, which any one oom plained of as unjust or oppressive Wo were as happy and prosperous a a people could be. And yet tba Union was hated and despised! Th people rose up en masse and.solemnl determined to rid themselves of i( or die in the attempt! Now, tho Union has trampled tho Constitutio iu the dust, violated every rep?blica principle', and heaped on us tyrnnn and oppression, which, its Chief Mi gistrate declares, no people, spe.akin the English language, have ever borm for tho last five hundred years! An the people of South Carolina have a changed, within seven short yenrl that they aro now clamorous to g< back into that Union, and hug ii tyruuny and oppression to their bi soms-to lick tho rod that has smol them to tho earth and desolated the: State! In order to hasten their ri turn, they aro not only willing togn up nil the rights of their State-a constitutional and republican princ pies, and self-government-but I transfer tho Government of the once proud and chivalric State int tho hands of tho negroes! Iutell genoe, virtue and refinement aro I bo ruled by ignorance and bascnes Tho wealth of tho State to bo tnx< and plundered by a race of pauper who will portion out the lands ur vote themselves homesteads, ar whoso legislation will bo such as I bring, eventually, sooner, or later, war of races, in which one or tl other must be exterminated. Whil writing. I have been told that confi cation was boldly avowed by the n gro convention which assembled : Charleston last week. It is n great mistake to suppo that, by all this humiliation and d gradation, we shall get back into tl Union, or bo relieved of militai government. Congress has given i such guarantee, and loading radien assert tho contrary. The Union w not be restored till after tho next Pr sidential elec?ou-the votes of tl Southern States aro not- wanted j that election. A military gover mont, or a standing army, in Soul Carolina, after tho eufranchisemci of the negro, will be absolutely ne? cessary, to. preserve the peace and keep down the oppressed white race. Nothing else will do it. Instead of being relieved from the oppressions of Congress and military xulo, we shall have called into existence, by our own votes, a third power, more odious and revolting, more galling and destructive, than- either of the other two. No one "who reflects can mistake tho purpose of tho radical party-tho sole purpose which they have in view -and to accomplish whioh they nre nt tempting to move heaven and earth. They have been influenced in their recent atrocious, barbe rous legisla? tion much more by the hope of con? tinuing nnd perpetuating their power in the Government, and their exist? ence as a party, than by any love for tho negro, or wrongs on tho Southern people. If their purpose had been solely revenge, they could have in? stituted, all over tho country, prose? cutions for treason, and by military commissions or negro ju a have brought any prominent man to the gallows. For two or three yenrs, they waged war against the Southern States without nttempting to inter? fere with slavery, or raising a finger to relieve tho poor African from his thraldom. It was only when they found that tho "Great Rebellion" could not bo otherwise suppressed, and that they could successfully uso our slaves agaiust us, that they de? clared them free, and enlisted them in their armies. This was a new ele? ment, and a most powerful ono, whioh they brought into tho contest. By it, they increased their forces 200,000,. and greatly weakened tho re? sources of the Southern States. They cared nothing for the negro, except to seo him slaughtered in battle, in? stead of their own soldiers. This was the extent of their lovo and phi? lanthropy for the African race-no? thing more, nothing less. It is sup? posed that 1,000,000 of this unfortu? nate people, who were happy and contented slaves, perished during the war by disease, hunger, cold, expo? sure and neglect, or wero killed in battle. And no candid or impartial mau can say that the condition ol tho survivors, as a whole, has been benefittcd. Timo will provo that their destiny, as a free race in thc Southern States, is extinction. A now vision has now broko u^ou tho wicked hopes and purposes ol tho radical Congress. They think, by giving universal suffrage to th? negro, they will he able to radicalize the Southern States. With this aim tho military bill was passed, destroy ing the States, disfranchising leading public men aud enfranchising tin negro. They were afraid to take B? bold a step in infamy and in violntioi of all constitutional rights before tin elections, last fall, in tho Northen States. Had they dono so, tho; would have been deposed in all thos States where tho negro is not allowee to vote. The elections in Connecti cut, this spring, prove this fact Large Democratic gains in all th municipal elections North give evi dence of tho truth of this assertion Kentucky has just swept the radier party out of that State. Every wher wo hear of a re-action in favor of cor stitntional liberty. If wo will hav patience, and bear our wrongs lik Christians and patriots, our delivei anco will como; but, for God's saki do not let us ourselves rivet th chains on our own bauds. In order to radicalizo tho Soutl and stir up antagonism between tL two races, and set them to cuttin each other's throats, Rep?blica emissaries, black an?l white, grei aud small, aro traveling nil over tl Southern States, and making ti most incendiary speeches, orgui izing secret societies, and formic "Union leagues." Senator Wilsoi of Massachusetts, gave the people < Charleston, tho other week, a spec men of his tactics and political 'str tegy. Nothing can be moro diabbl cal, or Jess likely to promote tho tn interests of the black man, than sm a course. It will, however, go vei far towards estranging tho freedm? from us, and building up a strot and powerful radical party iu all tl Southern States. If left alone, tl negro would net in harmony with li former owner. It is his interest do so. But of this there is nc little hope. Every day.by means this railical agitation anilmisrepreee tallou, he v.ul be less and less und the influence of his true friends ai neighbors. At present, out of tl towns and villages, thc negro car nothing about his right of sn (Traf and knows nothing. Unless inf] enced by bad mon, ho will not tro ble himself to registemor voto. Th however, will not always be the ca* If, therefore, we aro wiso in t coming election, true to ourselv< and have tho true interests of t negro at heart, we may defeat t call of a convention, and save t State from radicalism and agrario ism, and a war of races in thefutu: It never eau bo done afterwards. It is said that the adoption of t military bill, with all its con: quences, is not moro dishouoral than what tho Southern States hu already done, by abolishing slav? and adopting tho constitutioi amendment ou that subject. This a strange assertion. What dishoi i's there in setting your slaves fr? Can there be any? But there is d liouor in placing yonrself under t control and government of th? daves after they aro made free. T surrender of Lee and Johnston v iu acknowledgment thabslavery v abolished. The Federn! armies wero here to' enforce it. The slaves, too, bad become so much demoralized that almost every ono was willing to give np the institution, and no ono now .desires to see it restored. Bat is this un argument for giving np Belf-govern?ient, republican princi? ples, Constitution al liberty, tho rights of the States, and placing ourselves at the mercy of our freedmen? "When South Carolina abolished slavery, sho hnd an assurance, too, that she would be forthwith restored to tho Union, with all her constitutional rights un? impaired. Now, we ure told, after all this humiliation and degradation, if South Carolina will radicalize her? self and elect Black Republicans, they may be admitted to their seats in Congress! Who wishes to bo ad? mitted into the Union on these terms? No act or deed yet done ? bas sullied tho fair escutcheon of tho Palmetto State. ' It is to bo hoped that none will be in tho future". ' I have been charged with incon? sistency in opposing tho reconstruc? tion of tho Union. I nm not op? posed to reconstruction. No man in South Carolina, or tho United States, more earnestly desires to seo tho Union restored as it was before tho war. It is the nearest and dearest wish of my heart. But I will not dishonor myself or my State, or bring ruin on my country, to obtain such a Union as is now proposed. I have been charged, too, with incon? sistency in going with my State after she seceded. I can only reply by saying that my notions of duty, honor and patriotism differ widely from those of my accusers. It is true that I was a Uniou mau, and did all that I could to preserve tho Union. For thirty years I defended it, with my pen, with my speech and with my right arm.* But when South Carolina seceded from that Union, I said to Governor Means, who desired to know tho courso I intended to take, "That the State was going to tho devil, and I was going with her." From that day to the end of. thc war, I was as zealous and earnest in her defence as any son she had. I re? garded it my duty, imposed by honor and patriotism, to aid 8,000,000 of my fellow-citizens, who had uuited, whether wisely or unwisely, iu their attei .pt to establish that sacred right of self-government proclaimed in the declaration of independence. South Carolina was tho land of my nativity, tho home of my family, kindred and friends. In her bosom reposed the bones of my forefathers, and I should have been a traitor to her interests, honor aud glory bad I raised a pnri cidal arm against my native State. A rebel, reluctant and unwilling, I did become. My father was one in '76. But a tntilor I never can be. il. F. PERRY. -. ^5 ?-* Suffering lu tilla State. We find in tho New York Herald, of Saturday, a communication from Go? vernor Orr, onclosing for publication in that paper, a long list of extracts of letters from various Districts, showing the terrible destitution which prevails in every section of this State. Tho Herald, in publish? ing them, says: Wo need not add a word to tho official exhibition thus afforded of tho destitution and suffering prevail? ing in South Carolina. The plain recital of facts which it contains is sufficient to show the extent of the distress throughout almost all the Districts of the State. It furnishes full information to all who feel a generous interest in the misfortunes of a deluded aud unhappy people. Tho Governor states that n? has no hesitation in endorsing the state? ments made in the letters from which extracts aro taken. He is personally acquainted ..with the writers of nearly all the letters. And those bear testimony to the heart? rending fact that old persons and little children, women and men, blacks and whites, aro not 'only on the verge of starvation, but, in too many cuses, have "already starved to death." In more thau ono District, "many wander about in a starving condition." The testimony of Mr. J. Aiken with reference to the Fair? field District is, wo fear, true of many other Districts, that the greatest want is not with the extremely poor, bnt with those who aro trying to labor, without means of future sup? port." Surely the simple statement of tho facts in the case will be enough to enlist tho sympathies of all. But if wo add that similar accounts of the destitution in the South are daily reaching us from every Southern State, with tho exception, perhaps, of Texas, which, in some respects, has enjoyed an immunity from the consequences of tho late war-a war too well described by a sensible Southerner as "unnatural"-wo aro confident that no heart can bo in? sensible to such au appeal as that of Governor Orr. The special fund provided for by ? joint resolution of tho lute Con? gress, for the relief of Southern des? titution, is to bo applied in aid of none but the very destitute, Avho will receive one bnshel of corn and eight pounds of moat per month for each adnlt person, and one-half the above amount of corn aud meat for each child between one and fourteen years of age; ajid this issue of food will be diseoutiued as soon ns early vege? tables nud fruits shall be grown. So directs the Secretary of War, in a recent circular. POST OFFICE HOURS.-The; office is open from 8 a. ra. until 3)? p. m., and from 0 until 7 p. m. The North? ern mail closes at 3,- j p. mi] and all other mails close at 8 p. m. RETURNED.-Dr. P. W. Gibbos re? turned homo yesterday, from a West orn tour of several weeks' duration. Ho will bo cordially welcomed by his numerous patients. GODEY FOR JUNE.- "We nre indebt? ed to Mr. J. J. McQorter for a copy of this reliable lady's book for June. It contains a great many novelties. SELLING OPT AX COST.-Attention is called to tho advertisement of C. F. Jackson, Esq., in another column. We aro assured by him that this is not tho usual fictitious announcement, but is genuine, ns buyers may provo for themselves. CARDS! CARDS!-Show cards, busi? ness cards, visiting and wedding cards, executed at thc Phoenix Job Oflico, in the neatest styles of tho art. Cards of all sizes constantly on hand, and all orders from town or country promptly attended to. We woidd call especial attention to the article on the third page, from the Now York Insurance Monitor, tho official organ, relative to the iEtna Life Insurance Company, of Hart? ford, Connecticut. The facts which it presents may well startle the minds of many who have had but a limited knowledge of the business affairs of this company. Its growth is beyond all pr?c?dant in the history of lifo insurance. H. E. Nichols fe Co., of this ci*y, aro the agents for the State of South Carolina. CIRCULARS! CIRCULARS!-Commer? cial and other circulars, iu the various forms-note, letter and commercial post-neatly printed in our Job Office, and all work of this descrip? tion finished in the best stylo of print? ing, and at moderate prices. TUE SOIREE.-It is with great plea-, I sure we state that .Tanney's Hall was again filled Inst night, and it is now an established fact that tho just expectations of tho Indies will bo realized. In plain terms-Ute fence will be built. Tho concert was spoken of very favorably by those who were near enough to the stage to hear what was going on; the burlesque by J. Lawrence Eej'nolds, jr., was inex? pressibly droll. The soiree will be kept up this evening, and the con? cert is to be repeated, with, perhaps, a slight chango in tho programme. A HOME JOURNAL.-The best family journal now published in the South is the Gleaner, issued from this office. [ It contains weekly eight pages of solid reading matter, excluding ad? vertisements entirely. A specimen number will bo sent to any one de? siring to subscribe. The accidental burning out of a foul chimney, on thc premises of J. C. Kenneth, Esq., yesterday morn? ing, caused tho alarm of fire to be sounded. No damage was done. A LITERARY JOURNAL.-The Gleaner is a large eight page quarto journal, and from tho first line on the first column of the first pago to tho. last liue on. the forty-eighth column, it abounds with select matter; cm bracing, besides tho news of tho week, choice tales, sketches and poetry, which mako it, as its name indicates, a truo "homo companion," which no family in the State should be without. . Jon PRINTINO.-Thc Job Office of the Phoenix is as complote ns any in the South. It is furnished with now fonts of typo of all descriptions and of tho most modern styles. All work executed promptly, with taste and skill, and at reasonable rates. SURSCRIRE POR TUE GLEANER.-In? stead of buying Harper*? Weekly and other trashy and slanderous publica? tions of tho North, subscribe to the G'leaner, which contains more read? ing matter, and of a far superior quality, than any of them. Tho ex? amination of a single number will convince tho most skeptical of tho truth of this assertion. Subscribe without delay; and another thing is i promised-that at the end of tho year, if tho numbers are preserved, you will have a volume to bind worth ten times the subscription price. - MATK Bnoorr Fonsven.-We rnvre almost daily evidences of the fact that Kain street ia' regaining its for? mer prestige os a business thorough? fare. Messrs. Gregg & Co. have removed to their handsome estab? lishment, corner Main nnd Taylor streets, and with lnrge additions to their general stock of crockery, house-furnishing articles, etc., pre? sent a fine appearance. Messrs. Duflio A. Chapmau have received tho Juno number of Demo rest's monster monthly. It has .an extra quantity of fashion plates, etc. Snow P?STEOS, HANDBILLS, &c. Our supply of typo and facilities of press-work cnablo us to turn out from tho Phcenix office the most attractive styles of posters, band-bills, &c., at short notice, and in the most satis? factory manner. CnnAP COHN.-An anonymous cor? respondent, writing from Charlotte a communication to this paper says: "I beg leave to state, through your columns, that corn cnn bo purchased on tho Western North. Carolina Rail? road-Statesville or Morgantou-at prices ranging from Si. 05 to $1.10; freight to Charlotte 18 cents per bushel. I have no doubt but that your farmers would savo a great deal by purchasing on the line of this road. I make tIiis statement for the benefit of the farmers between this and Columbia." As the writer has not sent us his name, we have no means of verifying his statements, and simply publish them for the information of any who desire to make the necessary in? quiries. SUPPOBT YOUK OWN JOUBNALS. Tho Gleaner, issued every Wednes? day, from this office, defies competi? tion ns a literary and news journal. Thoso who subscribe to it aro kept well posted up in tho current events of the day, as it ombraccs the tele? graphic news, political, commercial, state of the markets, ita, up to the hour of going to press. COLUMBIA, S. C., May 15, 1807. Editors of the Phoenix-GENTLE? MEN: Your publication, of this day, I in reference to the Ladies' Relief As sociation of New York, may excite expectations, which I desire to re move. Mr. Sullivan sent mo $100 ir January. It was immediately distri? buted among tho needy and worthy. I have, also, received $100 from Rev. Dr. Fuller, of Baltimore, aud $637 from friends iu Kentucky. These funds havo been tlisposcd of accord ing to their instructions. T regret te add that there aro persons in ami around Columbia whom charity onbj confirms in idleness and worthless ness; and this is the class most ela morons for aid. They need not ap ply to me-I have nothing for them J. L. REYNOLDS. NEW AND ELEGANT PASSENOEJ COACH.-We had tho pleasure, yes terday, of visiting a new and ciegan passenger oar, just completed at th shops of thc Cbnrlotto Railroad, ii this city. The cm- was built undo the supervision of Mr. Brown, th master carpenter of the company nr.d its construction, both for dure bilby and neatness, reflects great ere dit on bis skill and taste. The grsir ing of th3 painting was very tastefull executed by Mr. Collier; tho orm mental painting, by Mr. Milne, cai not bo surpassed by any artist, Nort or South. The upholstery, execute by Mr. W. Bouschell, we undorstan in the employment of Messrs. Brei nan Sc Carroll, is very tasteful. Ti arrangements for ventilatiou nu lighting the car by night are admir; bia The whole structure and eejai] ments of this new coach reflect gre: credit upon tho enterprise, skill an tasto of all concerned, aud we unele stand it has been constructed nt seo of from $1,000 to $1,500 lees than similar carriage-though not so ham some or convenient as this-built I a Northern company. Tho car wi make n short triul excursion trip th morning, as far as Doko Statioi when we hope to test its runnir qualities. Nsw AnvKRXisBMKNTH. -Attention is Ca nd to tho following advertisements, win? arc published this morning for tbs Mr lime: Gregg A Co.- Removal and Redaction, Jacob Levin Usc. n. Soap, Uniter, Ac Dr. lt. \Y. Gibbes- Returned Home. C. V. Jackson -Drv Goods at Cost. Schedale on N. C. Central Railroad. -? ? ?? ?-. It will be seen, by r?f?rence to Mr. C. Shiver's advert isenieut, thal he open fdr the week, another lot ni gooda, at li popular low prices. Last week was a ha vint to houuu-kei pt rs and furnishers selecting from hi* ?tock, and this wei promises equally so.