With the respects of Mrs. B. F. Perry. 
 
 TRIBUTE 
 
 TO 
 
 ^ ♦ ^tj 
 
 EX-GOVERNOR 
 
 SOUTH CAROLINA, 
 
 BORN 
 NOVEMBER 20, 1805. 
 
 DIED 
 DECEMBER 3. 1886. 
 
 "The World is Better 
 That He Lived." 
 
 ^ JD E CE^M BE R J3, 1 8 8 8. 3^ 
 
 "In Himself Was all His State:" 
 
 FIRST EDITION, 3000. 
 
 Shannon & ('o., PrinterK. 
 Greenville. S. ('. 
 

 COMPILED 
 BY THE WIFE 
 FROM THE MANY COMMUNICATIONS 
 RECEIVED, 
 IN MEMORY OF THE HUSBAND, 
 ON THE 
 SECOND ANNIVERSARY OF HER LOSS, 
 DECEMBER 3, 1888. 
 
 ' He was as firm as Cato, 
 
 and 
 As just as Aristides." 
 
 .X^SS^X^ 
 
INDEX, 
 
 . commknts of nkwspaper8 ox " biographical skktchics of k.minknt a m kuica.n 
 
 statesmen." " 
 
 I'agi- 
 
 Anderson Intelligencer , 14 
 
 Anderson Journal 15 
 
 Atlanta Constitutipn ,. , 21 
 
 Augusta Chronicle 13 
 
 Boston Post jfj 
 
 Boston Advertiser 2'j 
 
 Charleston News and Courier 10 
 
 Charleston Daily Sun IT, 
 
 Cheraw Reporter 22 
 
 Darlington News 28 
 
 Flo'ida Times-Union 28 
 
 Greenville Baptist Courier 19 
 
 Greenville Daily News 8 
 
 Montgomery Daily Advertiser 2(T 
 
 New Haven Register 8 
 
 Seneca Free Press 21 
 
 Spartanburg Carolina Spartan If} 
 
 Walhalla Keowee Courier '. 20 
 
 Winnsboro News and Herald 14 
 
 The above are all the editorials that are known to have been written. 
 
 REVIEWS OF "biographical SKETCHES OF EMINENT AMERICAN STATESMEN, 
 SPEECHES," &C. 
 
 Southern Churchman — Rev. Dr. H. Melville Jackson 02 
 
 Thomas, Col. John P. (Communicated to Columbia Daily Record ) 3 
 
 Thomas, Col. John P. (Governor Perry's post bellum career.) 5 
 
 Kennedy Library, (acknowledgment of "Eminent American Statesmen, 
 
 Speeches, &c." 19 
 
 Means, Mrs. Celina, in Carolina Spartan 17 
 
 LETTERS RELATING TO " BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF EMINENT AMERICAN 
 STATESMEN, SPEECHES, &C." 
 
 Crawford, Col, Andrew 34 
 
 Davis, Jefferson C 1 
 
 Davis, Jefferson, Confederate President 65 
 
 English, Joseph M 38 
 
 Gass, Rev. John 36 
 
 Hamilton, S. Prioleau 31 
 
 Hayne, William Alston 31 
 
 Lanier, D. G ^ 36 
 
 Lea, Judge John M 33 
 
 Lea, Judge John M 34 
 
 LeConte, John, President of the University of California 3D 
 
 McBee, Silas 32 
 
 Ragsdale, Edward B 30 
 
 Thomas, Col. John P 2 
 
IV. 
 
 Thompson, Mrs. William Butler , 39 
 
 Winthrop, Hon. Robert C 85 
 
 LETTERS ACKNOWLEDGING THE RECEIPT OF THE SPEECH BEFORE THE MER- 
 CHANTS, MECHANICS AND BUSINESS MEN OF COLUMBIA. 
 
 Archer, Prof. Henry P., Superintendent of Public Schools in Charleston, 8. C. 44 
 
 Hudson, Judge J. H 44 
 
 Judson, Prof. C, H., of Furman University, Greenville, S. C 43 
 
 Rice, James Henry, State Superintendent of Education in South Carolina 43 
 
 A FEW OF THE LETTERS ACKNOWLEDGING THE RECEIPT OF THE SECOND EDITION 
 OF "in MEMORIAM." 
 
 Aldrich, Col. James 56 
 
 Bomar, E. E 47 
 
 Bailey, B. F 51 
 
 Dawes, Senator H. L 55 
 
 Dean, Dr. George R 53 
 
 Dewberry. John 50 
 
 Gage, John P 49 
 
 Gary, Eugene B 52 
 
 Gibson, R. B 58 
 
 Hyde, Simeon 52 
 
 Johnson, Prof. D. B 58 
 
 Lea, Judge John M 46 
 
 Lowrance, W. B 47 
 
 Lowndes, James ^ 62 
 
 Mayfield, W. D 63 
 
 McGowan, Frank P 61 
 
 McKissick, Col. J. G 54 
 
 Mobley, John G 61 
 
 Page, Rosewell 51 
 
 Raysor, Thomas M 53 
 
 Seabrook, Dr. J. G 56 
 
 Simpson, W. W 49 
 
 Stephens, Bishop P. F 61 
 
 Rutledge, Gen. B. H 59 
 
 Wallace, Hon. William 62 
 
 Wallace, E. R 48 
 
 Willson, Rev. John 59 
 
 Witherspoon, George M. C 60 
 
 "GREENVILLE IN THE LONG AGO." 
 
 Archer, Prof. Henry P.— Letter 70 
 
 Croft, Dr. Randal — Address delivered on the presentation of a pair of silver 
 
 pitchers to Hon. B. F. Perry 71 
 
 Perry, Gov. B. F.— Reply 74 
 
 Dudley, Hon..C. W.— Visit to Gov. Perry 66 
 
 Furman, McDonald— Visit to Sans Souci 67 
 
 Griffin, Dr. P. E.— Letter 98 
 
 Osborn, Logan— Letter to West, Johnston & Co 96 
 
 Perry, Gov. B. F.— Extracts from letters 97 
 
 Perry, Gov. B. F.— Preface written in his wife's Journal 301 
 
V. 
 
 Speech delivered before the merchants, mechanics and business men of Co- 
 lumbia, December 17, 1853, by Hon. B. F. Perry 81 
 
 The Greenville Daily News — Notice of the Speech 41 
 
 SKETCH OF WILMAM H. PERHY WHEN FIRST NOMINATED FOB CONGRESS IN 1884. 
 
 Croft, Col. Edward 105 
 
 A FEW OF THE LETTERS CONGRATULATORY ON THE RE-ELECTION OF WILLIAM 
 H. PERRY TO CONGRESS FOR THE THIRD TERM. 
 
 Capers, Rev. Ellison 113 
 
 Crawford, Col. Andrew .-. Ill 
 
 Crawford, Col. Andrew 112 
 
 Dibble, Hon. Samuel 117 
 
 English, Joseph M 120 
 
 Gilreath, Herman G 121 
 
 Hennies, George V 114 
 
 Johnson, David, Sr 110 
 
 Kirk, Charles E 116 
 
 Landrum, Dr J. B. 118 
 
 Lipscomb, Col. T. J 117 
 
 McKissick, Col. J. G 113 
 
 McCoy, P. B 115 
 
 Moseley, Col. George F 113 
 
 Rice, James H 115 
 
 Stokes, Col. John M 117 
 
Sans Souci. the Residence of Ex-Gov. Perr 
 
Ex-Governor B. F. Perry, 
 
 SKETCH OF HIS LIFE. 
 
 (Tliis sketfli of Governor Perry was written many years ago, during his life, and 
 
 though not differing materially from other sketches written of him, the 
 
 character of Governor Perry is portrayed in so true and vivid a 
 
 manner, his wife has been tempted to put it in this Tribute 
 
 to him, in order to preserve it in a durable form.) 
 
 This eminent and distinguished gentleman, so widely and 
 favorably known throughout the United States, resides so 
 near the city of Greenville that he is claimed as a citizen 
 thereof, having, until a short time since, resided directly in 
 the city. Governor Perry, although having retired from the 
 active practice of his profession, is still daily seen at his old 
 office, on Main street, his son. Col. VV. H. Perry, being the 
 active partner of the law firm of Perry & Perry. 
 
 Governor Perry retains still much vigor of constitution, 
 and his firm tread and elastic step would indicate that he is 
 a much younger man than he really is. Of large and com- 
 manding person, with striking intellectuality of face, he read- 
 ily impresses everyone as being far above the mediocrity of 
 men, and one of nature's true noblemen. 
 
 As a lawyer, he is distinguished, and regarded as one of 
 the best and boldest advocates that ever practiced at the 
 bar of the Western Circuit; is of great dignity of character, 
 yet a mopt genial and agreeable conversationalist, and has 
 brilliant literary attainments; the possessor of a large libra- 
 ry, and a vigorous writer, he has contributed much to the 
 historical literature of the country, particularly since he has 
 retired from the practice of his profession. 
 
 The history of this distinguished man is so well known, 
 that we do not propose to give it fully, but only to record 
 
VIII. 
 
 the pleasing fact that he has not, like many other distin- 
 guished men of the old reo^ime, outlived their usefulness a,nd 
 shown an indifferent apathy to the future of the country ; 
 and, although not seeking any office himself, he has been free 
 and outspoken in his condemnation of the despoiling band 
 of plunderers and blatant politicians that have been spawned 
 upon us by New England, and sought to have instituted such 
 measures as would rescue the State and the whole South from 
 this infamous crew, who have practiced so much of misrule, 
 and given thus so much of anarchy in our midst. Governor 
 Perry has always had great admiration for the Union as 
 handed down by our ancestors, and when the popular mind 
 was inflamed with the delusive idea that our sectional rights 
 would be secured only by severance from the other States, 
 and the formation of a government of our own, Governor 
 Perry, first in the excitement of nullification, then a young 
 man, came bravely forward, and opanly opposed the policy 
 of the State, and while he was triumphantly sustained in his 
 own up-country, he was bitterly denounced in other portions 
 of the State. 
 
 Again, when the secession spirit ran high. Governor Perry, 
 true to his early convictions, that our true remedy for re- 
 dress of grievances was in the Union, rather than out of it, 
 again opposed the policy of the State, when it really required 
 heroism and Spartan j)luck to do so. His then predictions 
 were singularly accurate, and demonstrate fully his great 
 political sagacity and integrity. Although opposed to the 
 policy of the State in inaugurating the war. Governor 
 Perry, as a true son should always do, went with his 
 mother, saying, right or wrong, come weal or woe, he would 
 go with his State. He contributed liberally of his means for 
 the prosecution of the war, as well as furnished a gallant 
 son for the service. After the war, ere the smoke of war had 
 fully passed away, he was solicited by the administration to 
 visit the national capital for conference as to the best meas- 
 
IX. 
 
 ures to be instituted for the rehabilimeiit of South Carolina 
 as one of the component States of the Union. His people 
 urged his acceptance of the invitation, and looked upon it as 
 an earnest of President Johnson's good feeling to the South. 
 Governor Perry went to Washington, and the greatest re- 
 spect was paid him, and he was notified that he had been se- 
 lected as the Provisional Governor of the State. This he ac- 
 cepted, and went immediately to work for the reconstruction 
 of the State upon the basis agreed upon by President John- 
 son and other prominent men of the North. Universal joy, 
 as well as increased confidence was felt all over the State at 
 his succession to the chief magistracy of the State. He issued 
 his proclamation, which was ably written, and enthusiasti- 
 cally received by all classes, and the light of the day of recon- 
 ciliation and rescue from what was before regarded as abso- 
 lute ruin, seemingly had dawned. Civil government, in the 
 main, was at once restored, a convention of the people was 
 called, composed of the ablest men of the State, many of 
 w^hom had been all their lives antagonistic to Governor 
 Perry's political action, but who were now seen rallying to 
 his support, and ardent admirers of his proven statesman- 
 ship and high integrity. He became the most popular man 
 in the State, and the first Legislature that met afterwards, 
 without hardly a dissenting voice, selected him as one of the 
 Senators to Congress from this State. But, unfortunately 
 for the whole country. Governor Perry was never permitted 
 to take his seat. Not long afterwards, a different policy to 
 that of President Johnson sprung up at the North, and all 
 that had been accomplished through such men as Governor 
 Perry was effectually wiped out by the monstrous doings of 
 theCongress of 1867-68, and which, under the blind teachings 
 of Sumner, Butler, Stevens and others of the then dominant 
 party in Washington, culminated in the enactment of the 
 several amendments to the Constitution, which at once 
 brought on confusion and antagonism between all classes at 
 
X. 
 
 the South, and which has resulted so disastrously to the ma- 
 terial prosperity o! the South. Governor Perry retired in 
 disgust at this period from active participation in the dis- 
 cussion of what should be the policy of the South towards 
 acceptance of these unconstitutional and infamous measures. 
 Though he was free to express his convictions, he did so 
 through his writings of their unconstitutionality and results. 
 But it will be impracticable in this article to detail all the 
 valuable services Governor Perry has rendered his country, 
 and the prominent positions he has so eminently filled. 
 When the history of the present century of this country shall 
 be full}^ detailed and embodied. Governor Perry will occupy a 
 prominent position therein. His name will appear deservedl^^ 
 among the roll of sreat men this State has produced. 
 
COMMENTS OF NEWSPAPERS 
 
 "Biographical Sketches of Eminent American Statesmen." 
 
 (This letter is published as a suitable Introduction to the Editorials on the 
 'Biographical Sketches of Eminent American Statesmen.") 
 
 Newberry, S. C, December 21, 1883. 
 Hon. Benjamin F. Perry, Greenville, S. C: 
 
 Dear Sir: Allow me to say that as a Carolinian, I hp^ve 
 long been an appreciative admirer of yours, and have re- 
 garded you with pride as the great Daniel Webster of the old 
 Palmetto State, standing head and shoulders above all her 
 other sons. 1 have read your various articles in the public 
 prints with decided pleasure and avidity; and after many 
 vain efforts to procure them in a collected form, I have re- 
 solved to write you on the subject and ascertain if you have 
 yet gathered them together, from the various periodicals to 
 which you have so long contributed, in any kind of book or 
 pamphlet form. It would be a pleasure to have them treas- 
 sured up in more convenient form, especially those very in- 
 teresting and instructive sketches of ''Eminent American 
 Statesmen," and early historical narrativ^es of the State. I 
 have been so fortunate as to be able to collect a few (three 
 in number, viz.: Choate, Ramsey and Chief Justice Marshall), 
 which I have pasted away in my scrap book. Another arti- 
 cle I also have, entitled "Joining the Republican Party," 
 which, in brief, is the best and clearest exposition of Demo- 
 cratic principles I ever saw. You will please inform me if 
 you have yet collected and published those articles; or, if 
 not, whether it is your intention to give them to the public. 
 
 You will also oblige me by giving the counties, or districts, 
 in which the South Carolina signers of the Declaration of In- 
 
Benjamin Franklin Ferry. 
 
 dependence lived. They were, I believe, Messrs. RutJedge. 
 Hey ward, Lynch and Middleton. In what sections of the 
 State did they reside? 
 
 Please be so kind as to answer the above question for the 
 information of one who is deeply interested in the history of 
 the State and who desires a more perfect knowledge of the 
 biography of her long and extensive roll of distinguished 
 sons. 
 
 Soliciting an early answer, I remain, my dear sir. 
 
 Your admiring friend and obedient servant, 
 
 Jefferson C. Davis. 
 
 Columbia, S. C, November 24, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 Dear Madam: 1 have received your esteemed communica- 
 tion, and consider myself honored in the possession of your 
 consideration. 
 
 I shall deem it a privilege to do the work requested, as I 
 can do so with suL-h a high appreciation of your d3ceased 
 husband and your queenly devotion to his memory. I have 
 in mind many evidences of Governor Perry's nobility of char- 
 acter, but the best is his widow's love and admiration. My 
 duties as legislator and as editor keeps my pen busy with 
 matters of State. But this Thanksgiving Day gives me some 
 relief. I shall write this day a notice of your proposed vol- 
 ume, and it will be with me a task of friendship for the living, 
 as well as consideration for your dead. 
 
 1 have told my wife that I might consent to die, could I be 
 assured of deserving at her hands a tithe of the love and 
 honor that you lavish with youthful zeal ui)on your honored 
 husband's memory. Surely he must have been a Brutus 
 without the Roman's faults. Nor can I now fail to realize 
 how in life he had his Portia to appreciate, and to be help- 
 meet indeed. 
 
 1 have the honor to be. 
 
 Yours truly and respectfully, 
 
 John P. Thomas. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 (The Columbia Daily Record, Friday, February 17, 1888.) 
 (Communicated.) 
 
 I ask the opportunity of callin<>; attention to this recent 
 South Carolina publication, so eminently deserving: of public 
 recognition. Ah we are informed in the openinfj; pages of the 
 book its appearance is due to the inexhaustible devotion of 
 the honored widow of the deceased statesman. ''This vol- 
 ume is compiled and published by the wife in memory of the 
 beloved and devoted husband who, during a married life of 
 fifty years, found in his character arid life only what she could 
 love, honor, and be proud of, and whose care it is that the 
 memory of his virtues and the example of his noble devotion 
 to his duty and his country shall be preserved for future gen- 
 erations. " 
 
 As for the late Governor himself, while he felt that he had 
 nev^er forfeited, but had on the contrary always enjoyed, the re- 
 spect and esteem of the best people of his native State, it was 
 his purpose, as I know, to make a publication of his writings 
 with a view of doing justice to his memory after his death. But 
 this plan, for come cause, was not executed. Hence it will be 
 seen that in her present wifely enterprise, Mrs. Perry is not 
 only doing a good work for the State and the country, but 
 is further cariying out her husband's wish, as embodied in a 
 purpose conceived by him more than thirty years ago, and 
 conveyed to his wife. 
 
 And well has her loyal design been executed. The volume 
 is an attractive one— fit to adorn the library, and to be the 
 ready source of high thought and patriotic inspiration; well 
 calculated to invite, in its ethical spirit, the imitation of 
 youth and to confirm the steady resolutions of age. The 
 book contains 612 neatly printed pages. The frontispiece 
 presents, in a finely executed photograph, the imposing bust 
 of Governor Perry— upon whose ample front engraven-delib- 
 eration sits, and public care, and whose Atlantean shoulders 
 seem fit, in Miltonic phrase, to bear the weight of mightiest 
 monarchies. Then follows the graceful preface by Dr. Hext 
 M. Perry, who, in behalf of his distinguished farther's family, 
 announces the spirit and the scheme of the present publica- 
 tion. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 Next follows the appreciative introduction by Senator 
 Wade Hampton, between whom and Governor Perry senti- 
 ments of mutual esteem existed — kindred souls in this, that 
 in each we have illustrated — such as Sir Philip Sidney exem- 
 ])lified — "hi<>h thoughts seated in a heart of courtesy. " 
 . An engraving of ^^ Sans Souci, " the handsome resilience of 
 the deceased, next meets the eye, and suggests the type of a 
 generous and refined home of a South Carolinian of the olden 
 times. 
 
 The volume proper opens with a condensed outline of Gov- 
 ernor Perry's life by Mr. A. B. Williams, of the Greenville 
 News. This is succeeded by a compihition of the notices of 
 the deceased from the newspapers of South Carolina and its 
 leading men; as well as from the State Legislature, and from 
 the bar and the courts whei*e he practiced for many years, 
 niid where he was most intimately known. This will show 
 how 'n mouths of wisest censure his death evoked encomi- 
 ums of highest character; and how amply has been fulfilled 
 his prediction that his reputation would grow brighter after 
 his decease — a faith expressed in the year 1857, when the an- 
 tagonism that he had to meet in his devotion to his politi- 
 cal creed was fiercest and strongest. 
 
 The addresses — political and literary — which Governor 
 Perry from time to time delivered on various occasions — are 
 all characteristic of the man ; of the master of good English 
 and of the independant, earnest and honest thinker; of him, 
 the true son of up-country soil, who was as virtuous as Cato 
 and as brave as Julius Caesar. 
 
 One address by Governor Perry I notice omitted, which il- 
 lustrates his sagacity and adds to his fame. I mean the 
 speech which he made in the State Democratic Convention of 
 April, 1868— a memorable convention, by the way. On that 
 occasion Governor Perry, in connection with Gen. Chesnut, 
 Col. D. Wyatt Aiken, and other discreet spirits, wisely de- 
 clared for qualified negro suffrage, and helped to put the 
 post helium Democracy of South Carolina upon a prudent and 
 just career, thus laying the basis for the great victory of 1876. 
 Governor Perry continued thereafter in full accord with the 
 conservative element of the State Democratic party, and was 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 ever true as steel to the State and the civilization of the 
 State. 
 
 I come now to the main features of the book under review. 
 This consists of bio^Taphical sketches of eminent American 
 statesmen. The scope of these graphic sketches is as wide 
 as was the catholic spirit of the author. They embrace dis- 
 tinguished men of the North and of the South alike. They 
 will be read no less with profit than with pleasure. Nor is it 
 possible for any candid reader to rise from their perusal 
 without a high appreciation of the writer's discriminating 
 ])Owers, his strong mental grasp, and his sympathy with all 
 that is ^ood and true and noble as well in private as in pub- 
 lic life. 
 
 Governor Perry's ''Reminiscences of Public Men" and his 
 ''Sketches of Eminent American Statesmen " — as well as his 
 political and literary utterances — all attest his high personal 
 traits and his ardent patriotism. 
 
 Long after the granite monument erected to his fame shall 
 have fallen into decaj^ will these lettered memorials remain 
 to honor his memory and preserve his name. 
 
 It is gratifying* to know that this volume— now for sale at 
 Messrs. Bryan & Co.'s and at Mr. Duffle's for |1.50 per copy 
 — may be followed by another, containing a biography and 
 extracts from the private journal of Governor Perry. 
 
 If the world is better because such a marked character —such 
 a strong individuality— has lived, surely it is a wise and use- 
 ful thing to put before the youth of the land the record of his 
 life and his thoughts and his labors— to the end that, like 
 (:)ther dead but sceptred sovereigns, he may rule our spirits 
 from his urn. J. P. Thomas. 
 
 CoiAJMBiA, S. C, Feb. 16, 1888. 
 
 (The Columbia Daily Record, February 28, 1888.) 
 
 In a review of the volume entitled, ''Sketches of Eminent 
 American Statesmen," by Gov. Perry, of South Carolina, I 
 have referred to the omission of one incident which marks a 
 signal episode in his long and eventful public life. I mean his 
 part in the memorable State Democratic Convention of 1868. 
 
6 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 This body of reyjresentative whites had met in the shadow 
 of radical reconstruction deeper than the gloom of Appomat- 
 tox. The issue involved was Anglo-Saxon supremacy or ne- 
 gro domination — the latter being for party ends aided and 
 abetted by a powerful organization North. The South Caro- 
 lina phalanx stood small in array, but composed and reso- 
 lute and strong in the faith of a race upon whose brow God 
 had implanted the symbols of sovereignty on earth. It was 
 Sparta confronting Asian numbers. 
 
 Upon that high occasion — in that convention animated by 
 the indomitable spirit of a conmionwealth unconquered and 
 unconquerable in soul, B. F. Perry, of Greenville, was found 
 in full accord with the body. He was one of the number of 
 those sagacious statesmen who placed the South Carolina 
 Democracy upon tenable ground and paved the way to ulti- 
 mate victory. Nor should it be forgotten that Mr. Perry 
 w^asoneof the first and foremost in opposition to Radical and 
 negro rule in this State. Hewastheauthorof a strong,scath- 
 ing, thoroufih review of the Radical Constitution of 1868, 
 which was that year submitted to Congress for ratification. 
 And it maybe added that the force of this paper was so fully 
 recognized in those disjointed times that when the State Cen- 
 tral Executive Committee of the Democratic party of South 
 Carolina — composed as follows: Wade Hampton, John P. 
 Thomas, J. D. Pope, F. VV. McMaster, Samuel McGowan, and 
 W. M. Shannon — made to Congress a formal Remonstance 
 against theimposition upon South Carolina of the said Radi- 
 cal Constitution, the substance of Mr. Perry's analysis was 
 incorporated in the memorial of the committee, and the ex- 
 tract was thus introduced : 
 
 "And first permit us to lay before your honorable body the following analysis of 
 the said Constitution, prepared by the Hon. B. F. Perry, of this State — a pure 
 man, an able lawyer, and a life-long, bold and outspoken Unionist. As a man who 
 opposed nullification and secession you will perhaps not regard him as one whose 
 views on the Constitution are apt to be pervaded by that disunion spirit which 
 many members of your honorable body might deem suflacient to prejudice any 
 paperemanating from South Carolina." 
 
 In making up Gov. Perry's entire political record, his ut- 
 terances and his services at this critical period of Democratic 
 
Bonjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 resurrection and Anglo Saxon self-assertion in our "Pros- 
 trate State," as South Carolina then was, cannot, in justice 
 to his memory, be passed by unnoticed. These make dia- 
 monds of first water in his civic crown. In that first strug- 
 gle for our captured State — beginning in 1868 and ending in 
 triumph in 1876 — than which none more fateful has ever 
 occurred in the rich history of this old commonwealth through 
 all the phases of its eventful career. Governor Perry — no more 
 for conscience' sakeestranged from brother South Carolinians 
 — was with us and of us— the swift current of his political 
 sympathies mingling with ours and flowing freely in the new 
 channel of the State's post-helium Democracy. Ever devoted 
 son and chastened mother came together, and lost in the 
 harmonies of the present were the discordances of the past. 
 
 Thus it is that time, great leveler, makes all things even. 
 Thus it was that peace and reconciliation came with honor. 
 So it came to p)ass that, old feuds forgotten and his warfare 
 ended, Benjamin Franklin Perry, of Roman mould and Chris- 
 tian impress, passed away esteemed and admired in a great 
 State whose creed political he was wont to combat and whose 
 public policy he had resolutely resisted. And now — muta- 
 tion strange but happy — in South Carolina this man, who in 
 all his long life was of firm and noble soul, is rightly deemed 
 one of the State's sons of memory and heirs of fame. 
 
 Some men there are in this day of materialistic trend of 
 thought who are inclined to minify mind audits resources in 
 the disposition to magnify matter and its appliances— to dis- 
 crown moral and mental forces before the power of steam 
 and electricity. 
 
 But what a shallow philosophy is this! 
 
 South Carolina has need of all her developed wealth of soil 
 and mines and forests and products of every kind. But more 
 than all this does she need to bear in mind that mind and 
 character constitute a State. 
 
 Not forgotten, therefore, should the duty be to heed the 
 lessons and to honor the memory of those— the patriot sons 
 of the State— who by their genius and nobleness and unself- 
 ish labors have coutributed to the glory of the common- 
 wealth. J. P. Thomas. 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Feb. 28, 1888. 
 
8 Benjajinin Franklin Perry. 
 
 (The Greenville News, March 4, 1888.) 
 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry has given a valuable addition to perma- 
 nent literature in a handsomely bound book of six hundred 
 pages, published in Philadelphia under the supervision of Dr. 
 Hext M. Perrv, and entitled "Sketches by Governor Perry." 
 
 The volume contains a handsome portrait of Governor 
 Perry, with an introduction by Senator Hampton, the sketch 
 of the governor's life published in the Greenville News, and 
 some extracts from the editorial remarks of leading newspa- 
 pers on the occasion of his death. 
 
 The most valuable contents, however, are the speeches and 
 addresses delivered by Governor Perry on several notable oc- 
 casions and a series of sketches of eminent American states- 
 men prepared by him at different times during his long and 
 busy life. The speeches and addresses should be treasured ; 
 they tell of the position and the sustaining reasons of the 
 small band of Union men who opposed secession while stand- 
 ingfastby Democratic principles and the rights of the South, 
 and are redolent of the highest patriotism, the purest integ- 
 rity and clear understanding of the lessons of the past and 
 the tendencies of differing systems of public and private action. 
 The sketches are drawn with the free, strong touch char- 
 acteristic of the author, and give for posterity, life-like, com- 
 pact, invaluable histories of many men like James Otis, John 
 Adams, C. C. Pinckney, Christopher Gadsden, Patrick Henry, 
 Benjamin Franklin, Richard Henry Lee, John Randolph, 
 Gouverneur Morris and David Ramsey. 
 
 The book is now on sale here by H. J. Felton and R. G. 
 McPherson and should have a place in every library and col- 
 lection—certainly in South Carolina. Price, |1.50. 
 
 (The New Haven Register, March 4, 1888 ) 
 
 Biographical Sketches of Eminent American Statesmen, with Speeches, Addresses 
 and Letters. By Ex-Governor B. F. Perry, of Greenville, S. C. For sale by 
 Judd, the Bookseller. Price $1.50. 
 
 This substantial volume is a memorial ofoneof the staunch- 
 est Union men in the South before the war. Although Gov. 
 Perry "went with his State, " it was only after thirty years 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 of couraf>eoii8 defenre of the Union. His stand was firmly 
 taken at the ajie of twenty-six in a. Fourth of July oration 
 (inoluded in the present volume), whic^h was delivered as the 
 Nullification troubles were beginnintz;. He resolutely main- 
 tained his ground with a. defiance of any time-serving and in 
 the face of fierce opposition. At one time he proposed to es- 
 tablish a Union ])aper in Greenville, S. C, when friends told 
 him if he did so neither his property nor his life would be 
 safe. He replied : "I will go on with my paper if it sinks my 
 fortune aTid sa,crifi(res my life.'' But when the decisive step 
 had been taken he felt he must go with his people. "You are 
 going to the devil and I will go with you, " he answered with 
 a foresight of the result of a contest for slavery which few of 
 his Southern fiiends possessed. After the war he was ap- 
 pointed Provisional Governor by Johnson, and later, 1866, 
 was Senator-elect from his State, \\ hen the Senate refused to 
 seat the Senators from South Carolina. Gov. Perry died in 
 December, 1886. Leaving behind him a name respected by- 
 all. The present volume contains a clear and succinct ac- 
 count of his life with some of his literary remains. His speeches 
 are of distinct historical importance. They defend with great 
 strength the value of the Union to the South, and illustrate 
 the varying moods of political life from 1830 to 1870. The 
 address at the anniversary of the battle of the Cowpens in 
 1885 is an impassioned pleaforpreservingtheintegrity of the 
 nation. 
 
 The larger portion of the present volume is composed of 
 biographical sketches of upwards of forty eminent men of the 
 revolutionary period and the following genera tion. While the 
 most distinguished have been honored by suitable biographies 
 many of their contemporaries, who were active in forming 
 the government and shap'ng its policy, are comparatively lit- 
 tle known to readers of the present da,y. Gov. Perry, draw- 
 ing on his personal recollections and on those of older men 
 whom he knew in early life, wrote out these narratives in the 
 dai-k years of 1868-76. There is something pathetic in the 
 picture of the old man, surrounded by the political disorder 
 and ruin of his State that was to precede regeneration, oc- 
 cupying himself with the contemplation of the work and 
 
10 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 character of the great men who founded the goverment. The 
 frontispiece is a fine autograph portrait. 
 
 (The Charleston Neva and Courier, March 5, 1888.) 
 
 The promised volume of biographical sketches of eminent 
 American; statesmen, with speeches, addresses, and letters of 
 Ex-Governor B. F. Perry, of Greenville, 8. C, has been pub- 
 lished. It is a handsome volume of over six hundred pages, 
 and is embellished with an admirable likeness of the lamented 
 Carolina Statesman and a view of his mansion near 
 Greenville. 
 
 The introduction to the volume is written bj Senator Wade 
 Hampton, who takes occasion to speak in the most exalted 
 terms of Governor Perry. It is indeed high praise to be able 
 to say, with absolute truth, that "'every line that he wrote, 
 every word that he uttered', on public affairs, was inspired by 
 an ardent, patriotic desire to promote the best interests of 
 his Stnte, and, in the light of the great events which have 
 transpired in the last quarter of a century, many of his« ut- 
 terances have proved as pregnant with wisdom as -with pa- 
 triotism." And, again, *' the example of such a life as Gover- 
 nor Perry's, so pure, so unsullied in all its private and public 
 relations, cannot fail to exert a wholesome and elevating 
 influence wherever it is known, and in this view the following 
 volume possesses great intrinsic value, for it gives the opin- 
 ions, the feeling, the very thoughts of the wi*iter, expressed 
 with perfect frankness and .vith commendable impartiality." 
 
 The introduction is followed by a sketch of Governor 
 Perry's life by Mr. A. B. Williams. It is thoughtful, discrim- 
 inating and appreciative. Some of the articles published in 
 the leading South Carolina newspapers at the time of Gover- 
 nor Perry's death are then given, together with the speeches 
 i.« the Legislature on the sad occasion, and the memorial 
 proceedings of the Greenville Bar. 
 
 Then the interested reader comes to the notable addresses 
 delivered by Governor Perry. The first of these is the 
 ''Fourth of July" oration at jJreenville in 1831, when Gov- 
 ernor Perry was only 25. The appeal to the Nullifiers is 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 11 
 
 most toiichinp^. There are also the addresses delivered on 
 the battlefield of Cowpeiis in 1835; the address before the 
 Literary Societies of Erskine College in 1844. and the speech 
 delivered in the House of Representatives of South Carolina 
 in 1 850 on the subject of the relations of the States to the 
 Union. In this address the political opinions and principles 
 of Governor Perry are set forth in superb warmth and co- 
 gency. The burden of the address is that he was in favor of 
 " a rational and successful defence by the union of the South, 
 which will redress our wrongs, secure our rights, and preserve 
 the Union of the States." This speech. Governor Perry said, 
 he left "as a legacy to his country and his children." Next 
 comes the noble and notable speech of Governor Perry in the 
 National Democratic Convention at Charleston in May, 
 1860. It is followed by his address to the Democracy of the 
 Fifth Congressional District in 1860. Then comes his letter 
 to the Charleston Courier, dated August 13, 1860, and his 
 letter to "many citizens" of Charleston. 
 
 After the war, as is known. Governor Perry was elected 
 United States Senator, but was denied his seat. In the vol- 
 ume before us is the unanswerable letter which he wrote upon 
 that subject to the National Intelligencer of Washington. 
 The next paper is a letter accepting the Democratic nomina- 
 tion for Congress in 1872, which is followed by his address to 
 his constituency after he had been defeated by the negro 
 vote. 
 
 Then comes the thoughtful and beautiful address on "The 
 Ancients and the Moderns," which was delivered before the 
 Cheraw Lyceum in June, 1876. 
 
 The remainder of the volume is occupied by Governor 
 Perry's sketches of eminent Americ^an statesmen. Among 
 these are sketches of John Adams, John Rutledge, C. C. Pinck- 
 ney, Christopher Gadsden, Alexander Hamilton, Benjainin 
 Franklin, John Randolph, David Ramsey, William Wirt, 
 Henry Lee and Wade Hampton. 
 
 This description of the addresses and of the speeches can 
 give but a faint idea of their value and their worth. They 
 must be read in order to be appreciated. They must be 
 studied in order that their fullness and depth may be under- 
 
12 Benjawin Franklin Perry. 
 
 stood: They are rich in maxims, in judicious council, in 
 happj phrase. But, rich as the published papars i;re, there 
 is much more which has not been told. 
 
 Nowhere in the history of the United States is there a more 
 heroic example of fortitude and devotion than is found in 
 Governor Perry's public life. Loyal to the South, to his 
 State, he held fast to the Union as the Palladium of our lib- 
 erties, and would not consent to its undoinc^. As he writes 
 in his journal, "After secession was accomplished, I sat in 
 my office and cried like a child." The social and political 
 pressure was enormous. To hold the opinions that he held 
 and avowed was to close the door to public preferment. But 
 he had faith always that time would brin^i: him vindication 
 and restoration. It came. When the war was over he was 
 appointed Provisional Gov^ernor, under the Reconstruction 
 procedure, and was of signal benefit to his people. So, too, 
 he was elected United States Senator. So, too, he was invi- 
 ted to lead a forlorn hope as the Democratic candidate for 
 Con<^res8 in his District. While his own people in South 
 Carolina turned to him and depended upon hitti, the trium- 
 phant North, however, rejected him and looked upon him 
 with distrust. Conscience and principle, not self-interest, had 
 ever been his guide, and he could no more swerve from the 
 right road for the sake of the victorious Union than to keep 
 company with his own kith and kin in nullification and se- 
 cession. 
 
 In a letter written to Mrs. Perry, in 1857, Governor Perry 
 said : 
 
 '• In regard to the abuse of me in South Carolina, it has not come from the gen- 
 tlemen of the State. I do not believe there is at this time a distinguished man in 
 the State who does not most cordially respect and esteem me. Such is their de- 
 portment towards me. I shall leave a reputation for my children which they may 
 be proud of, and which will not injure their prospects at all. My reputation will 
 grow brighter after my decease. It is my purpose to make a publication of my 
 writings with a view of doing justice to my memory hereafter." 
 
 It was not a vain hope and belief. Governor Perry's repu- 
 tation grew brighter year by year, and is brighter than ever 
 before, now that, with unprejudiced eye, the people can look 
 upon the steadfastness, the simplicity, the symmetry of his 
 life. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 13 
 
 Mrs. Perry (lischar<>:os lovingly a tender duty towards her 
 distinguished husband in preparing this volume for publica- 
 tion. Surely there is nothing more beautiful, moreinspiring, 
 than the wifely love which finds its highest pleasure in 
 making known to his fellow-countrymen the patriotism, the 
 foresight, the intrepidity, the unselfishness of the husband to 
 whom she had been joined in her youth, and with whom she 
 had lived in entire concord and content, in sleekness and in 
 health, until dea.th parted, for a little while, the two who had 
 been one in aim, in thought, in heart and desire, for long de- 
 cades which mutual confidence and trust made all too brief. 
 Mrs. Perry is a model of appreciation and devotion, as Gov- 
 ernor E*erry was the exemplar of constancy and truth. 
 
 The volume before us is neatly bound and well printed. It 
 can be obtained at Hammond's, or of the Walker, Evans & 
 Cogswell Company, in Broad street, and of E. Perry & Co., 
 in Meeting street. Price ^1.50. 
 
 (The Augusta Chronicle, March 14, 1888.) 
 
 The promised volume of biographies, sketches of eminent 
 American statesmen with speeches, addresses, and letters of 
 ex-Governor B. F. Perry, of Greenville, S. C, has been pub- 
 lished. It is a handsome volume of over six hundred pages, 
 and is embellished with an admirable likeness of the lamented 
 Carolina statesman and a view of his mansion neai* Green- 
 ville. 
 
 South Carolina knew no more devoted son, no purer states- 
 man nor more honorable man. No stronger voice than B. 
 F. Perry's, inspired by loftier sentiments or more patriotic 
 purposes, was ever heard within her borders in defence of the 
 right or in championship of justice. His life's history will be 
 a liiilit in South Carolina annals for all time to come, and 
 this volume of biographies will be treasured as commemora- 
 tive of his services to his State and his upright and useful 
 walk in life. 
 
 The publication is prepared by Mrs. B. F. Perry— " a loving 
 and tender duty towards her distinguished husband." It ia 
 for sale at J. M. Richards. Price |1.50. 
 
14 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 (The News and Herald, Winnshofb. S. C, March 15th, 1888.) 
 
 This book has been before the public for some time. It is 
 a haiKisome volume of six hundred pa<i:e8 and has an excel- 
 lent photogi*a,ph of Gov. 'Perry and a view of his dvvellin<>:. 
 
 Senator Hampton writes the introduction and a, sketch of 
 Gov. Perry written by A. B. Williams, of the Greenville News, 
 follows. Then follows addresses delivered by Gov. Pei-ry. 
 The rest of the volume is occupied by Gov. Perry's sketches 
 of Jas. Otis, John Adams, John Rutlege, C. C. Pinkney, 
 Christopher Gadsden, VYm. H. Crawford, Alex. Hamilton. 
 Patrick Henry, Benj. Franklin, John Randolph, Georj>e 
 Washington, David Ramsey, William Wirt, Henry Lee and 
 others prominent in our history. 
 
 The book is a most interesting' one and cannot be appre- 
 ciated unless fully read. Mrs. Perry prepared the volume for 
 publication and it will well repay any one to peruse it care- 
 fully. 
 
 For sale by Messrs. McMaster, Brice & Kitchin. Price 
 11.50. 
 
 (The Anderson Intelligencer, Thursday, March 15, 1888.) 
 
 Mrs. Perry, the widow of the late ex-Governor Perry, has 
 presented the Intel lip, encer with a copy of a book which 
 she has recently published, and which is made up of bio- 
 graphical sketches of eminent' American statesmen, with 
 speeches, addresses and letters of her distinguished husband. 
 It is printed in a very handsome style, contains six hundred 
 pages; and is embellished \Vith an admirable likeness of Gov- 
 ernor Perry, and a view of his mansion near Greenville. The 
 introduction to the book is written by Senator Hampton, 
 who eulogizes the lamented statesman in the very highest 
 terms. This introduction is followed by a biographical sketch 
 of Governor Perry's life by A. B. Williams, editor of the 
 Greenville News. The book is indeed a very valuable work, 
 and should find its way into the home of every true Caroli- 
 nian. It is sold at the low price of |1.50, and can be ob- 
 tained at Messrs. G. W. Fant & Son's book store. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 15 
 
 (The Anderson Journal. Thursday, March 15, 1888.) 
 
 The exceptionall.y haTidaome volume of six hundred pages 
 and over, just from the press, containing a brief biography, 
 and press notices and public speeches concerning the late ex- 
 Governor Perry, together with a number of his addresses 
 and sketches from his trenchant pen, gives a clear insight in- 
 to the life and character of that eminent South Carolinian 
 now gone to his last rest. The volume at hand is compiled 
 h} the noble and faithful wife that still survives him. In the 
 introduction, which is written by Senator Hampton, it is 
 fittingly said that "the example of such a life as Governor 
 Perry's, so pure, so unsullied in all its private and public re- 
 lations, cannot fail to exert a wholesome and elevating influ- 
 ence wherever it is known, and in this view the following vol- 
 ume possesses great intrinsic value, for it gives the opinions, 
 the feehng, the very thoughts of the writer, expressed with 
 perfect frankness and with commendable impartiality." 
 There is no one but can read this book with profit, but espe- 
 cially should it be in the hands of the 3^ounger generation 
 now entering upon the activities and responsibilities of life. 
 It is neatly and substantially bound, and is for sale by Geo. 
 W. Fant & Son, Anderson, S. C. 
 
 (The Daily Sun, Charleston, S. C, March 16, 1888. 
 
 A copy of the biographical sketches of eminent American 
 statesmen by the late ex-Governor IJ. F. Perry has been sent 
 to The Daily Sun by Mrs. Perry, through the book house of 
 Mr. Hammond, of this city. 
 
 The name appended to the title of the book carries with it 
 such sentiments of high respect and warm appreciation of 
 the author's character that one is strongly induced to look 
 into its contents, for his life covered a period of most mo- 
 mentous consequences in the history of his State. His strong 
 mental habits, culture, grace of expression, studious care, 
 wide research, acuteness of vision in political matters and 
 sincerity of purpose shine out conspicuously in these sketches, 
 while in just and candid lines he portrays the characteristics 
 of his subjects. 
 
 The book is a valuable contribution to the literature of the 
 
16 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 South, a feeling memorial to the illnstrious men of our be- 
 loved State, and an exposition of the pure patriotism that 
 impelled their actions. To the youth of our State and coun^ 
 try there is much to edify and exalt and encouiaj>ement to 
 earnest application, manly and persistent effort in right, and 
 determined resistan<'e to what is conscientiously regarded as 
 wrong. It is, too, of great historical value, containing the 
 principal facts connected with the secession movement in 
 18G0, and the National Convention in Charleston. Many 
 who may not have been able to learn but scanty facts and 
 circumstances relating to that most exciting convocation of 
 freemen, will, in this volume, be able to f^ee both sides as then 
 considered by the author, a Unionist, and be able to draw 
 conclusions as to facts piresented. 
 
 The sketches of Revolutionary patriots cannot fail to in- 
 terest the mass of readers, and we strongly commend the at- 
 tentive perusal to the young of both sexes, but specially the 
 boys, who thereby may light the tonth of patriotism anew, 
 at the altars where our forefathers caught their inspiration 
 for constitutional liberty. 
 
 The book is very neatly and substantially bound. For sale 
 at Hammond's, Walker, Evans & Cogswell and Perry's book 
 stores. Price $1.50 per volume. 
 
 (The Carolina Spartan, Spartanburj?, S. C.) 
 
 "Sketches by Governor Perry of South Carolina" is a val- 
 uable volume recently published. The revision and compila- 
 tion were made by Mrs. Periy, the devoted wife of the Hon. 
 B. F. Perry. The introduction is written by Wade Hampton 
 who greatly admired Governor Perry's integrity, patriotism 
 and ability. The sketch of his lifeisby A. B. Williams, editor 
 of the Greenville News. The book contains about 600 pages 
 and it is printed in good style and on good paper. There is 
 a full page likeness of the Governor, as well as a picture of his 
 elegant mansion, Sans Souci. After the introductory pages 
 and the proceedings of various public bodies relating to the 
 Governor's death, the first thing is a fourth of July oration 
 delivered in Greenville in 1831. Then follows an address de- 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry, 1 7 
 
 livered at the fifty -fourth anniversary of the battle of Cow- 
 pens. This was January 17, 1835. There are very few per- 
 sons now living' that heard that speech. The people of this 
 county should buy the book for that address. After the va- 
 rious addresses on important subjects are given which will 
 interest and inform the student of our State history, about 
 half of the volume is taken up with sketches of prominent 
 men, which are most readable. Any young man interested in 
 our recent history and the men who made it should buy this 
 book. It will be money well spent. For sale at Messrs. Co- 
 field & Pettv's. Price 11.50. 
 
 (Carolina Spartan, Spnrtanburg, S. €., Wednesday, Mf/k^^X, iSo^-.) ■' j.-- nV.. 
 (Communicated.) ■.■ ' •' * '''.•..'■ 
 
 A book recently issued, to be found atCofield, Petty & Co's, 
 is sketches by Governor Perry, of South Carolina. 'The title 
 and table of contents indicate the rich store of unwritten 
 history and biographical interest between these pages. The 
 orations, addresses, speeches and sketches give an index of 
 broad culture and high character of the author. After read- 
 ing the introduction written by Gen. Hampton and the 
 sketches of Governor Perry's life, by A. B. Williams, the 
 reader is prepared to more fully understand the articles from 
 the pen of Governor Perry, illustrating, as they do, the exci- 
 ting period preceding the war between the States, and pre- 
 senting a grand picture of the man who did and dared every- 
 thing to preserve the Union of the States, until secession was 
 accomplished, then as strenuously labored to secure the re- 
 cognition of the Southern Confederacy. It has been forcibly 
 said, " That he lost the honors of his State by being true to 
 the Union, that he lost the honors of the country by being 
 true to his State." In the clearer light of history he will at 
 last receive the honors due to the man who never swerved 
 from his integrity and patriotism. 
 
 To one wishing to inform himself, of the casus belli involved 
 in the doctrines of Nullification, Secession and Union, no bet- 
 ter exposition could be suggested. The fervid questions that 
 agitated the nation are illustrated with great force in the 
 
18 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 Fourth of July Oration, The Address at Cowpens, and other 
 speeches contained in the volume. Governor Perry believed 
 from his earliest manhood : '• The Federal Constitution, the 
 most perfect system of civil policy that the wisdom of men 
 can ever invent." To preserve it, he contended iu the arena, 
 in editorial chair, the hustinos, and iu legislative halls for 
 over thirty years. The speech made in 1850 in the House of 
 Representatives, on State and Federal affairs, is a master- 
 piece of exhaustive study and close reasoning. When in 1860 
 the South Carolina delegation withdrew from the National 
 Democratic Convention, Governor Peri-y would not act in 
 concert with his colleagues, but remained in the Convention 
 in the face of the vituperations of the press and people of 
 the State. His vindication of his course, addressed to his 
 constituents in an open letter, is a powerful summing up of 
 the situation. He remained in the Convention, he declared, 
 because he believed the highest interests of the State and 
 country imperiled by withdrawal. He had the moral courage 
 to stem popular opinion, and boldly declared: "There is 
 much more consolation in being right than in being successful 
 when wrong." 
 
 The paper on National Restoration, written, after the re- 
 fusal of the U. S. Senate in 1866, to allow him to take his 
 seat in the Senate, is an epitome of the attitude of the two 
 sections at that time. 
 
 Perhaps to the general reader the portion of the book con- 
 taining sketches of eminent American statesmen, would 
 prove more attractive than the first of the volume. The 
 clear analysis, the terse philosophy, give a charm to a 
 sprightly style of narrative, relieving any suspicion of the 
 dullness often attached to biography. The characters of 
 General Washington, General Rutledge, General Gadsden, 
 John Randolph, Gouveneur Morris, Benjamin Franklin, 
 Lowndes, Drayton and others, are sketched with a force well 
 niffh dramatic. The last of these is of Colonel Roebuck, a 
 Spartanburg man who was one ot "the Heroes of King's 
 Mountain." 
 
 The whole volume is one w^orth the attention of the public, 
 as a valuable compendium of pleasant as well as instructive 
 matter. Celina Means. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 19 
 
 (The Carolina Spartan, Spartanburg, S. C, Wednesday, March 21, 1888.) 
 
 The Kennedy Library,— The ti-ustees return thanks for 
 the following donations throu<^h Mrs. Dr. Means. 
 
 Mrs. Gov. Perry gives a copy of the volume she has recently 
 edited, consisting of "Memoirs" written by her distinguished 
 husband. This book has special interest for all Carolinians, 
 who wish to be well informed, about the public men of this 
 generation. These repeated proofs of the interest taken 
 in our Library, by this venerable lady, living in another city, 
 call for our special acknowledgement. 
 
 (The Baptist Courier, Thursday. March 22, 1888.) 
 
 This admirable book has an especial interest for South 
 Carolinians, it is a handsome volume containing more than 
 six hundred pages, and is a worthy memento of the distin- 
 guished citizen of whom it treats and whose writings are 
 herein embodied. Governor Perry was so widely known 
 that scarcely any one need to be told in this generation of his 
 noble qualities, and yet it is meet to have an introduction to 
 this volume from the pen of one who knew so well the high 
 character and unflinching integrity of the man, so that future 
 generations may rightly appreciate his honorable career. 
 General Hampton felt the force of his words in saying of his 
 friend that " every line that he wrote, every word that he ut- 
 tered on public affairs, were inspired b^' an ardent, patriotic 
 desire to promote the best interests of his State, and in the 
 light of the great events which have transpired in the last 
 quarter of a century, many of his utterances have proved as 
 pregnant with wisdom as with patriotism." The brief sketch 
 of Governor Perry's life which follows the introductory chap- 
 ter was written by Mr. A. B. AVilliams, editor of the Green- 
 ville Daily News, and is a careful and appreciative outline of 
 the chief incidents in an eventfnl life. Following this sketch 
 are a number of extracts from newspapers com men ting upon 
 the death of Governor Perry, to which is added the action of 
 the Legislature, in which body he served so long and ably, 
 and the memorial proceedings of the Greenville bar. Nearly 
 two hundred pages of the book are next occupied with some 
 
20 Bonjamjn Franklin Perry. 
 
 of the most notable speeohew made by Govei-iior Perry, be- 
 j^innin^ with a patriotic address when he was quite a youth^ 
 delivered on the 4th of July in the Greenville Baptist church, 
 and ending with an ornate lecture before the Cheraw lyceum 
 in 1876. The remainder of the volume is devoted to his 
 sketches of American statesmen, includingThomas Jefferson, 
 Benjamin Franklin, John Randolph, John Adams, C. C. 
 Pinckney, Christopher Gadsden, David Ramsey and others. 
 Our space forbids further enumeration as to the intrinsic 
 merits of this volume, which has been compiled and printed 
 in honor of the dead patriot and statesman through the 
 loving regard of his devoted wife. It can be bought at R. G. 
 McPherson's, Greenville, S. C.,and at Felton's. Price fl.50. 
 
 (The Keowee Courier, Walhalln. S. C, March 22, 1888.) 
 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry has our thanks for a copy of the volume 
 recently published through her exertions in memory of the 
 life, labors and eminent statesmanship of her lamented hus- 
 band. The work contains over six hundred pages, and em- 
 braces, besides public speeches and sketches of eminent states- 
 men, a biographical sketch of the life and character of ex- 
 Governor Perry, prepared by Senator Hampton. To our 
 readers who knew Governor Perry personally, and who de- 
 lighted to honor him for his pure and unselfish patriotism 
 and devotion to duty in the most trying period of our coun- 
 try's history, the work needs no commendation. His success 
 in life in the face of bitter political opposition, affords an in- 
 centive to the young to devotion to duty when clearly seen 
 and carefully studied. The just tribute of wisdom and honor 
 conferred on him by tlie present generation and by the light 
 of events foreseen and forewarned is a pregnant lesson in 
 sound stat3sinanship, which time can never efface. Studious, 
 conservative, firm, liis opinions on National politics have 
 been verified by time. Equally broad and clear sighted in 
 matters of State, the reforms, he expended the meridian of 
 his life in pressing, have borne fruit in a fair and just equili- 
 brium of power in the upper and lower sections of the State. 
 Governor Perry was a model of manhood, atruly great man, 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 21 
 
 whose life and writings should be read and studied by the 
 risinji' generation, especially the present work, which, mainly 
 biographical, points out and comments on the character and 
 services of the great men of the past generation and their 
 path to greatness. The book, neatly bound, can be bought 
 of Mr. T. E. Stribling, Postmaster at Walhalla. Price |1.50. 
 
 (Seneca Free Press, March 23, 1888.) * 
 
 Mrs. Perry, the widow of ex-Governor B. F. Perry, has pre- 
 sented us with a pamphlet in memoriam to her noble and dis- 
 tinguished husband; also, with the address delivered by Gov- 
 ernor Perry before the Literary Societies of Erskine College. 
 Mrs. Perry has recently published a book made up of bio- 
 graphical sketches of eminent American statesmen, with ad- 
 dresses, letters and speeches of her husband. This book is 
 sold at the low price of f 1.50. 
 
 (Atlanta Constitutiom, March 24, 1888.) 
 
 Sketches by Governor Perry, the Ferree Co., Philadelphia. In this handsome vol- 
 ume will be found a biography of the Honorable Benjamin F. Perry, the Recon.. 
 struction Governor of South Carolina, with a collection of his speeches and 
 addresses. 
 
 After the war, as is known. Governor Perry was elected 
 United States Senator, but was denied his seat. In the vol- 
 ume before us is the unanswerable letter which he wrote upon 
 that subject to the National Intelligencer of Washington. 
 The next paper is a letter accepting the Democratic nomina- 
 tion for Congress in 1872, which is followed by his address to 
 his constituency after he had been defeated by the negro vote. 
 
 Then comes the thoughtful and beautiful address on '"The 
 Ancnents and Moderns,'' which was delivered before the Che- 
 raw Lyceum in June, 1876. 
 
 The remainder of the volume is occupied by Governor 
 Perry's sketches of eminent American statesmen. Among 
 these are sketches of John Adams, C. C. Pinckney, Christo- 
 pher Gadsden, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, John 
 
22 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 Kandolph, David Kamsey, William Wirt, Henry Lee and 
 Wade Hairiptoii. Price |'l.50. 
 
 For sale by Wilson & Bruchner, PI H. & J. Thornton, and 
 S. P. Richards & Son. 
 
 (The Cheraw Reporter, March 27, 1888.) 
 
 ''Sketches by Governor Perry, of South Carolina," is the 
 title of a volume recently published by "The Ferree Press," 
 .of Philadelphia. This book, as its name implies, is a volume 
 of biographical sketches of distinguished men in South Car- 
 olina, and other States — men whose lives and actions have 
 contributed much to the make-up of the history of this 
 country. In the perusal of the lives of such men as Arthur 
 Middleton, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, Thomas Jefferson, 
 Alexander Hamilton, John Randolph, Fisher Ames, Felix 
 Grundy, John Marshall, Patrick Henry and John Adams, the 
 reader must feel that he is readinf>: the history of his own 
 country. The lives of these men are so intimately associated 
 with all the great principles and stirring events that came up 
 for consideration in their day, they may be said to contiib- 
 ute largely to the history of the Republic of America. 
 
 In addition to the concise and interesting sketches of the 
 lives and chai-acters of those great men, the book contains 
 much other valuable matter, such as lectures and addresses 
 on various occasions. Among these miscellaneous pieces are 
 the beautiful address to the students of Erskine College and 
 the able and interesting lecture before the Cheraw Lyceum in 
 June, 1876. We do not doubt that all who heard this lecture 
 will be glad to read it in print. It is full of valuable informa- 
 tion and is written in fine style. It is one of Governor Perry's 
 best efforts. 
 
 We would think that every South Carolinian would wish to 
 own a copy of this book, for from its pages he can at a mo- 
 ment refresh his memory as to facts in the lives of the great 
 men of his State and country. Besides, it is pleasant to be 
 constantly reminded that South Carolina numbered among 
 her native born citizens as noble a man as Governor B. F. 
 Perry. 
 
 This book is for sale at McCreight & Wannamaker's, at the 
 very low price of |1.50. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 23 
 
 (Boston Advertiser, March 31, 1888.) 
 
 Biographical Sketches of Eminent American Statesmen, with Speeches, Addresses 
 and Letters, by ex-Governor B. F. Perry, of Greenville, S. C. Introductory by 
 Senator Wade Hampton. Prefaced by an outline of the author's life. The 
 Ferree Press, Philadelphia, 1887. 
 
 "Many men have many minds," is a say in <>' which strength- 
 ens in its truth and significance with the degree of the impor- 
 tance of i3he subject which illustrates it. Each addition to 
 our stock of literature about our civil war, especially of vol. 
 umes which disclose the opinions, characters and positions of 
 our public men in it. Northern or Southern, adds to the va- 
 riety and individuality of the views entertained about it and 
 of the relations assumed towards it. The questions which 
 are opened and which will be endlessly discussed about that 
 war are such as these : Was it inevitable or avertible? Was 
 it right or wrong? Was it hopeful of success in its primary 
 object, or partialh^ hopeless? Could men of equal intelli- 
 gence, sincerity and integrity of charactertake opposite sides 
 in it, or was there on one side a vitiating, on the other an 
 ennobling, element indicating respectively the lack or the 
 presence of the highest quality in wisdom or principle? And 
 these alternatives might be multiplied indefinitely. As we 
 have intimated, each successive biographical volume intro- 
 ducing to us the opinions held and the course taken by men 
 in public station during the war gives us some varying illus- 
 tration of the proverb which we have quoted. This state- 
 ment finds a very striking confirmation of its truth in the 
 contents of the volume now before us, and in the sketch of 
 the character and the course of its subject. 
 
 Benjamin Franklin Perry became first known, and then fa- 
 vorably, in this section of the country in 1844, when, as a 
 member of the Senate of South Carolina, he gave his solitary 
 vote against a resolution offered in it for the expulsion from 
 the State of Mr. Samuel Hoar, who had been sent there by 
 Massachusetts to protest against the police law by which 
 colored men, seamen, stewards, cooks, etc., were taken from 
 Massachusetts vessels on their arrival and imprisoned, at the 
 expense of the owners, till the vessels left port. This act, 
 which subjected Mr. Perry to great obloquy, was significant 
 
24 Beujajinin Franklin Perry. 
 
 of the position which he assumed, and steadily maintained, 
 as a minority of one, till the opening of the war, and which 
 barred his public advancement in political life among his fel- 
 low-citizens. 
 
 There is a discrepancy between two statements which we 
 find in this volume as to the ancestry of Mr. Perry. 
 
 In the biographical sketch of him we read that his father 
 was a native of Massachusetts of English descent, of the 
 same stock as Commodore Oliver Perry. The father went to 
 Charleston, S. C, in 1784, and afterward removed to Green- 
 ville, where he was married. But the son, in one of his earn- 
 est speeches in the State House of Representatives in 1850. 
 deprecating the secession spirit, said : " There is no ti^^ that 
 binds a man to his native State that I do not f^el for Caro- 
 lina. Here, sir, I was born and brought up. Here I have 
 lived, and here I expect to die. Here, too, repose the remains 
 of niy ancestors." (*) Nor does it relieve the discrepancy much 
 to state that his mother was a Virginian. But, howeverthis 
 may be, Mr. Perry was heart and soul a South Carolinian, 
 proud of his birth-State, warm with the ardor and spirit of 
 its people, intent upon upholding its local rights. In every 
 public utterance made by him, including his impassioned ap- 
 peal in the National Democratic Convention in Charleston in 
 1860, he avows his approval of slavery, his belief in the 
 rightfulness and even blessed influences and workings of the 
 institution as a method of civilizing Africans. He believed 
 and warned his people that a disruption of the Union would 
 bring the institution to an absolut-e extinction. He said of 
 slavery: "I will be as ready as any one to defend it at the 
 sacrifice of the Union itself, as much as I value the Union." 
 Here certainly is a marked type of individuality in a man 
 and in an opinion. Strong, however, as these asseverations 
 were, they could not diminish the hostility and opprobrium 
 which he brought on himself as his hearers glared on him 
 while he argued and pleaded and protested against theblind- 
 
 * Note. — He should have said, " Here, too, repose the remains of my parents.' 
 It was what he meant. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 25 
 
 iiess, stupidity and folly with which they were rushing to 
 their ruin. As he walked through the streets of Charleston, 
 after the discussion in the Convention, he was hissed on ac- 
 count of the noble stand he had taken, (this one brave Union 
 man), to prevent the breaking up of the Convention; which 
 he knew would result in the breaking up of the Democratic 
 party in the United States, and be fatal to the South. 
 
 He would not withdraw with other Southern delegates in 
 the Charleston Convention when it broke into factions, but 
 stood for his candidate for the Presidency under a storm of 
 hisses, through which, however, he made himself heard. 
 Again he fought secession in the Convention of his State to 
 declare the dissolution of the Union in 1860. None the less 
 he followed his State in its exit, pronouncing on it the bene- 
 diction: "You are all going to the devil, and I will go with • 
 you." Being 56 years of age, he did not enter active service, 
 being represented there by his eldest son, but was loyal to 
 the Confederacy as Commissioner, member of the Legislature, 
 District Attorney and Judge, and he spoke his full share of 
 fiery oratory. At the close of the war President Johnson, 
 with general approbation, appointed him Provisional Gov- 
 ernor of his State. He was denied the seat in the National 
 Senate to which he was elected, and failed of election when 
 nominated to the House of Representatives, (t) He con- 
 temptuously opposed the carpet-ba.ggers and the Reconstruc- 
 tion measures. 
 
 With strong friends and enemies, he was pure and exem- 
 plary in private life. It is pleasant to read that in his stormy 
 career he enjoyed and occupied himself with literary pursuits 
 in a well-furnished library. The fruits of his studies fill the 
 larger part of this solid volume, in which, besides lectures, 
 we have a series of sketches of eminent American statesmen 
 all over the country, especially those of the Revolutionary 
 period. These are written with ability, with appreciation 
 and general impartiality. It is refreshing to read the strong 
 and positive utterances of a man of such strength and inde- 
 pendence of mind, backed by sincerity and integrity of pur- 
 pose. He died in 1886 at the age of 81. 
 
 For sale by Damrell & Upham. 
 
 t He was defrauded of his election by the Radicals. 
 
^6 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 (The Daily Advertiser, Montgomery, Alabama, April 19. 1888. 
 
 One of South Carolina's most distinguished and most use- 
 ful sons was the Honorable B. F. Perry. He did not a^ree 
 with the dominant sentiment of the State, and opposed Nul- 
 lification when it was the great issue, and was equally op- 
 posed to set^ession in 1860. But he was true and loyal to his 
 State during the dark and dreary days of the war, and as 
 soon as hostilities ceased was actively at work in the interest 
 of the people. He was a powerful man with pen and voice, 
 and no man ever had the confidence of those who knew him 
 to a fuller extent. Recently a volume has been published 
 containing a sketch of his life, together with his addresses 
 and letters on important subjects. It is a very handsome 
 book of over 600 pages and is embellished with an admirable 
 likeness o^ the distinguished South <^arolinian, and a view of 
 his home near Greenville. Senator Hampton wrote the in- 
 troduction to the volume, and it is certainly high praise to 
 be able to say, as he does of Governor Perry, that "Every 
 line tnat he wrote, every word that he uttered on public af- 
 fairs, was inspired by an ardent desire to promote the best 
 interests of the State, and, in light of the great events which 
 have transpii'ed in the last quarter of a century, many of his 
 utterances have proved as pregnant with wisdom as with 
 patriotism." And again, "The example of such a life as 
 Governor Perry's, so pure, so unsullied in all its private and 
 public relations, cannot fail to exert a wholesome and eleva- 
 ting influence wherever it is known, and in this view the 
 following volume possesses great intrinsic value, for it gives 
 the opinions, the feeling, the very thoughts of the writer, ex- 
 pressed with perfect frankness and with commendable impar- 
 tiality." 
 
 This book is for sale in Montgomery by Mr. W. C. Holt. 
 Price 11.50. 
 
 (Boston Post.) 
 
 The " Biographical Sketches" by ex-Governor Perry have 
 been 'highly spoken of by leading newspapers. The reviewer 
 of the Boston Post says : 
 
 "The late Governor Perry was for more than fifty years a 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 27 
 
 conspicuous figure in the politics and law o^ South Carolina. 
 Born in that State in 1805 of New Enjrland descent, he was 
 intensely provincial in his feelings, while at the same time, 
 down to the breaking out of the Rebellion, he was ardently 
 devoted to the Union. He regarded slavery as an undis- 
 guised blessing, and he saw very clearly what Calhoun and 
 Jefferson Davis and the rest of them fortunately did not see 
 — that if the Union were broken up, slavery would be doomed ; 
 and he therefore stoutly resisted both nullification and se- 
 cession. Bu^ when his State tried to get out of the Union, 
 he cast in his fortunes with her, and held several offices under 
 the Confederate government. When the Confederacy went to 
 pieces, he returned to his natural allegiance, but he brought 
 out of the struggle an unaccustomed bitterness, from which 
 he never recovered, though he lived twenty years longer. He 
 died in December, 1886, having just completed his 81st year^ 
 
 By far the most interesting and important part of the vol- 
 ume of his collected speeches and writings now before us, and 
 one which has a permanent value, is that which relates to 
 politics. It well illustrates one phase of life and thought at 
 the South, both before and after the rebellion. It comprises 
 the speech in favor of the preservation of the Union, deliv- 
 ered in the South Carolina House of Representatives in De- 
 cember. 1850 ; a short speech in the National Democratic 
 Convention at Charleston, in May, 1860, giving his reasons 
 for notwithdrawingfromthe Convention with his colleagues; 
 an address to his constituents in further explanation of his 
 course, and a letter on disunion written a few months later; 
 a letter to the National Intelligencer in 1866, on national 
 restoration ; and one or two other papers of lesser impor- 
 tance, besides incidental reference to the subject. These doc- 
 uments all have an historical value and they are well worth 
 being put into a permanent form. They show the point of 
 view and the course of argument adopted by a strong and 
 able man, who as well as any one represented the opinions of 
 the minority in the Southern States. 
 
 Besides these political papers there are a Fourth of July 
 oration, delivered when he was 25, an anniversary address 
 
28 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 in commemoration of the battle of Cowpens, of which the 
 best part has a political V)earing, and some other literary 
 addresses which indicate taste and (culture, but do not re- 
 quire special notice. The last half of the volume comprises 
 a series of biographical sketches, written between 1866 and 
 1876, apparently for pubhcation in the local newspapers. 
 They are about forty in number, and include many of the 
 most prominent men, North and South, of the Revolutionary 
 era and of a later period. They are the fruit of study, rather 
 than of observation ; for Mr. Pei-ry saw but few of the men 
 whose lives he nari-ates, and there are, therefore, few personal 
 reminiscences. But the sketches are well adapted to the pur- 
 pose for which they were written. 
 For sale at Damrell & Upham's. 
 
 (The Darliufiton News, Darlington, S C, ThunsdMy, May 17, 1888. 
 
 Biographical sketches of eminent American statesmen, with 
 speeches, addresses and letters by ex-Governor B. F. Ferry, 
 of South Carolina, is one of the most valuable books recently 
 published. It contains an introductory by Senator Wade 
 Hamjjton, whi(-h is very fine in itself. Every family in the 
 State should have a copy of this excellent work. This book 
 is for sale at the News office. Price f 1.50. 
 
 (The Times-Union. .Jacksonville, Fla., July 12, 1888. 
 
 I'rom the Ferree I*ress of Philadelphia comes a neatly 
 bound and well printed volume entitled : "Biographical 
 Sketches of Eminent American Statesmen, with Speeches, 
 Addresses, and Eetters by ex-Governor B. F. Perry of South 
 Carolina." The book has been compiled and published by 
 the wife of the eminent South Carolinian in memory of him 
 and his life work. It contains over 600 pages, and is embel- 
 lished with an admirable likeness of the late ex-Governor, 
 and a view of his mansion, "SansSouci," near Greenville. 
 
 The introduction to the volume is written by Senator 
 Wade Hampton, who takes occasion to speak in the most 
 >^xalted terms of Governor Perry. It is indeed high praise to 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 29 
 
 be able to say, with absolute truth, that "every line that he 
 wrote, every word that he uttered on public affairs, was in- 
 spired by an ardent patriotic desire to promote the best in- 
 terests of his State, and, in the light of the great events 
 which have transpired in the last quarter of a century, many 
 of his utterances have proved as pregnant with wisdom as 
 with patriotism." And, again, "the example of such a life 
 as Governor Perry's, so pure, so unsullied in all its private 
 and public relations, cannot fail to exert a wholescnie and 
 elevating influence wherever it is known; and in this view the 
 following volume possesses great intrinsic value, for it gives 
 the opinions, the feeling, the very thoughts of the writer, ex- 
 pressed with perfect frankness and with commendable impar- 
 tiality." 
 
 A sketch of Governor Perry's life follows au^ then the most 
 notable of his public addresses, among them his famous 
 Fourth of July oration of 1831, when he was only 25 years 
 of age. 
 
 The remainder of the volume is occupied by Governor Perry's 
 sketches of eminent American statesmen. Among these are 
 sketches of John Adams, John Rutledge, C. C. Pinckney, 
 Christopher Gadsden, Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Frank- 
 lin, John Randolph, David Ramsay, William Wirt, Henry 
 Lee and Wade Hampton. 
 
 The description of the addresses and of the speeches can 
 give but a faint idea of their value and their worth. They 
 must be read in order to be appreciated. They must be 
 studied in order that their fullness and depth may be under- 
 stood. They are rich in maxims, in judicious counsel, in 
 happy phrase. But, rich as the published papers are, there 
 is much more which has not been told. 
 
 

 LETTERS 
 
 Expressing the Appreciation of the Writers 
 
 FOR — 
 
 "The Reminiscences" and " Biograpliicai Sl(etcfies of Eminent American Statesmen," 
 
 By governor PERRY. 
 
 WiNNSBono, S. C May 8. 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Green ville, S. C, 
 
 Dear Madam : You will permit me to thank youforacopy 
 of the volume, "Sketches,'' by Governor Perry, just received. 
 I shall value it very hi<^hly for many reasons, not the least 
 amonpi; which is that it contains a slight memorial of the life 
 and public services of its illustric^us author. I will be glad 
 when the full story of Governor Perry's life has been told by 
 an historian worthy of the task — when his splendid example 
 of heroic devotion to principle which is now the proud herit- 
 age of his countrymen shall have been made the common 
 property of men in all time to come. 
 
 You will pardon me for writing so much at length, but I 
 cannot pass very lightly anything which relates even indi- 
 rectly to Governor Perry, whose character I admire above 
 that of all the public men whom South Carolina has pro- 
 duced. It seems to me, as I look back over the history of the 
 State for the past half century, that he towers a colossus 
 above all of his cotemporaries, and I am persuaded that his 
 example for good will be felt, and his words of wisdom heard 
 when the noisy babble of his inferior but successful opponents 
 shall have passed into eternal silence. 
 
 Thanking you again for the book, I remain 
 
 Very respectfully your obedient servant, 
 
 Edward3. Ragsdale. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 31 
 
 Santa Barbara, Cal., May 31, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. (., 
 
 My Dear Cousin: 1 ha,(l the pleasure of receiving recently 
 (throuo:li the mail) the book you were so kind as to send me, 
 containirjt^ the \vritin<»s, &c., of your late husband, and, I may 
 add, my highly esteemed friend. I am readingit with pleasure, 
 from time to time, and the very interesting address to the 
 students of Erskine College, (which in pamphlet form you 
 formerly sent me), I sent, for the special perusal of my young- 
 est son, Arthur P. Hayne, now at the State University, as 
 inculcating very useful lessons of wisdom and instruction. 
 
 It was a pleasure to be thus remembered by my relatives, 
 now living at so great a distance. While a sense of the dut^^ 
 I owed to my youngest sons led me to emigrate (at the ter- 
 rible period of the "Reconstruction times") to this State, and 
 thus to open to them a fair field for success, my heart v/ill 
 yet always turn with a sad but loving remembrance of my 
 dear old native State. I have suceeded fairly in my new 
 home, and my sons have, thank God, not disappointed my 
 hopes. 
 
 We (you and I) are both of us now aged. We cannot ex- 
 pect our lives to be prolonged much longer; indeed, at our 
 time of life we necessarily live much in the past, and it is a 
 solace to our declining years, that for both of us, our past 
 has been one which has not cast a shadow upon our present. 
 The unfortunate civil war has, under the good providence of 
 God, worked out for us such lessons of good as will tend to 
 make us, T trust, wiser and better. 
 
 I shall always feel an interest in the welfare of all my rela. 
 tives in South Carolina, and in none more than in you and 
 yours. Please remember me kindly to my cousins, and be- 
 lieve me to be 
 
 Very affectionately yours, 
 
 VV. Alston Hayne. 
 
 (The following is an extract from a letter.) 
 
 Chester, S. C, July 16, 1888. 
 My Dear Mrs. Perry : I have your letter of the 11th and 
 answer it to-day. 
 
32 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 In all my life I do not know that my heart has been ever 
 more touched than in readino-its contents. ****** 
 
 I know as to this I write to one whose heart in this regard 
 must be in sympathy and union with my own. Your love 
 and veneration for Governor Perry, your devotion to pre- 
 serving the memory of his usefulness and greatness, is one of 
 the most beautiful instances of ti'ue affection which can be 
 found anywhere. Yours has not been the mere conventional 
 mourning of a widow for a kind husband, but it has been a 
 loving purpose to rescue his name and famefrom the oblivion 
 which has followed the death of so many strong men at the 
 South. Take two of Governor Ferry's cotemporaries, (older 
 men however), VVaddy Thompson and VVarren R. Davis. 
 They were both men of fine intellects and had been even more 
 in public life than your husband. Their very names are al- 
 most forgotten. Not so with Governor Perry. The exertions 
 of a devoted wife have given him a lasting and honored place 
 in the history of our State and country. I hope to be able 
 to visit Greenville about the last of August and have the 
 pleasure of seeing you. 
 
 Yours most respectfully and gratefully, 
 
 S. Prioleau Hamilton. 
 
 Fairmount College, Mont Eagle, Tenn., Sept. 6, 1888. 
 
 My Dear Mrs. Perry : A short time before Vardry Mc- 
 Bee's death I called on him in Greenville and we had an 
 earnest and most pleasant conversation. When about to 
 say good bye I noticed a copy of " Reminiscences by Governor 
 Perry,'* and showing interest in the book I was urged by him 
 to take it with me. Before I returned it he died, and Aunt 
 Susan asked me to keep it in memory of Vardry, thus giving 
 the book, which was already fully appreciated by reason of 
 its intrinsic worth and the distinguished life of the author, a 
 new value to me. 
 
 My brother. Dr. McBee, who is at present with me, has en- 
 joyed the book exceedingly, and a few days ago handed it to 
 Judge Lea, of Nashville, saying as he did so : " Judge, here 
 is a book you will enjoy." 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. S8 
 
 Wheti Judj>:e Lea returned it his langnaoe and enthusiasm 
 were so pleasing' that I asked him to put in writing what he 
 had said to me, and on yesterday I received the enclosed let- 
 ter, which it gives me great pleasure to present to you. 
 
 I often wished to express to you my estimate of Governor 
 Perry, but the opinion of a distinguished man like Judge Lea 
 is of so much more value, and he has expressed my senti- 
 ments with so much grace and strength, that I adopt his 
 language and send it as my own. 
 
 eludge Lea was for a long time on the Supreme Bench of 
 this State, and his opinions, I am told, are quoted more than 
 those of any other member of that high Court. He is now 
 the President of the Tennessee Historical Society and is the 
 moving spirit in its great work. 
 
 You were kind enough to send me a copy of the letters re- 
 ceived by yourself after Governor Perry's death, and because 
 I have delayed expressing my pleasure at, and appreciation 
 of, your kind consideration, I am sure you will not deny me 
 the privilege of doing so now, nor the less appreciate my 
 earnestness. I am with high esteem, 
 
 Most respectfully, 
 
 Silas McBee. 
 
 Mont Eagle, Sept. 4, 1888. 
 Silas McBee, Esq., 
 
 My Dear Sir: I return the book with my thanks and 
 cannot refrain from expressing the great pleasure I have de- 
 rived from its perusal. Of almost every one of the distin- 
 guished personages of whose lives Governor Perry gives such 
 an interesting account, I had some general knowledge, and 
 with eight or ten of them I enjoyed a personal acquaintance, 
 having heard them speak in Legislative assemblies and con- 
 verse in social circles; and Governor Perry has certainly suc- 
 ceeded in apprehending, and also, in expressing in a happy 
 style and manner the strong and prominent traits, intellec- 
 tual and moral, which mark and differentiate the respective 
 characters of these eminent men. 
 
 The life of one person whose name does not appear in the 
 
S4 Btinjamw Franklin Perry. 
 
 index of siibjents has also been un witting-ly and uiiconsciously 
 written, and that is a life of the author. From what he so 
 gracefullj^ says of others, we can readily' infer what could be 
 truthfully said of himself. A man must possess more than 
 ordinary strength and beauty of character, who for a long 
 series of years stood firm on the weaker side, fought coui'age- 
 ously for what he conceived to be the right, and yet retained 
 the respect and friendship of those whom he strenuously op- 
 ])Osed. The unaffected pleasure with which he sets forth the 
 excellencies and virtues of his associates at the bar and in 
 politics — his rivals — discloses a generous nature and perfect 
 freedom from anything savoring of jealousy and selfishness. 
 He must have been an admirable man — a loveable character. 
 
 Very truly. 
 
 John M. Lea. 
 
 Mont Eagle. Tenn., Sept. 15, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Pkhry, 
 
 Dear Madam : On my return to my mountain cottage 1 
 found a copy of the Biographical Sketches of Eminent States- 
 men, and the fly-leaf informed me as to whom I was indebted 
 for the most acceptable and highly prized present. The read- 
 ing of it will, I am sure, confirm and strengthen the impres- 
 sion which I already entertain of the worth, excellence and 
 ability of the author. 
 
 Please accept my thanks and allow me to express the wish 
 that health and happiness may accompany you through life. 
 With great respect, 
 
 John M. Lea. 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Sept. 15, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Sans Souci, 
 
 Dear Madam : The book of sketches by your lamented 
 husband, sent me by your own kind hands, with words of 
 commendation and gratitude, reached me yestei-day. 
 
 As a Carolinian to the manner born I claim in part what- 
 ever there is of greatness in the " dead but sceptred sove- 
 reigns '' among us upon whom the mantle of high endeavor 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 85 
 
 has fallen. Surely among these Governor Perry's name will 
 always be found. 
 
 But, Madam, an additional honor is mine. Not only do 1 
 possess this work of his own conception and execution, but 1 
 have received it at the hands of his widow, who sends it to 
 me with kindest messages. For this additional compliment 
 I am especially grateful. 
 
 Your brave, honest sou fought a good fight and the victory 
 remains with him. Columbia greets Greenville upon the oc- 
 casion of his success, and if the people here knew how proud 
 of him his noble mother is, they would, one and all, see an- 
 other reason why Colonel Perry should have been returned 
 to the halls of National legislation. 
 
 Very truly and respectfully, 
 
 Andrew Crawp^ord. 
 
 Uplands, 
 Brookline, Mass., June 14, 1888. 
 
 Dear Mrs. E*erry : I lost no time, after receiving your last 
 letter, iu purchasing a copy of ''The Sketches" at Damrell 
 & Upham's. From time to time I have read pages of it with 
 great interest. But absence from home, on our customary 
 spring journey, and engrossing engagements, since our re- 
 turn, have left me with a huge pile of unacknowledged letters, 
 to which every day brings additions. I am at last estab- 
 lished in our summer home, to which, however, I cannot give 
 the name "Sans Souci." Indeed, cares and troubles beset us 
 all, whatever names we adopt for our places. But I cannot 
 longer postpone an acknowledgment of your kind letter. 
 
 I congratulate you on having issued so handsome a vol- 
 ume. The contents and the portrait give a most agreeable 
 impression of Governor Perry, and will preserve his memory 
 more securely than any monument. I doubt not that the 
 volume will find its way into all our public libraries, and will 
 meet the commendations which it merits. 
 
 Believe me, respectfully and truly yours, 
 
 Robert C. Winthrop. 
 
86 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 FI.AT Rock, S. C, Oct. 1, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 Dear Madam : The two books you were so kind as to send 
 me came duly to hand and I hereby tender you my heartfelt 
 and most sincere thanks for the true kindness and courtesy 
 you have shown in sending them to me, a stranger to you, 
 and I hope you will pardon this tardy acknowledgment of 
 your kindness. I have not been very well for some days and 
 I have also been so much absorbed in the perusal of the books 
 that I have not been able to make an earlier acknowledg- 
 ment. It will jj^ ve me great pleasure indeed to show the books 
 and endeavor to promote their sale. The people of South 
 Carolina ought to buy the Governor's books, for our State 
 never had a truer or more patriotic son than he. Undeterred 
 by popular clamor and the threats of persecution, he bravely 
 adhered and contended for what he believed to be the true 
 policy for our State to pursue, and time has proven the wis- 
 dom of his doctrine. I once more tender you my thanks and 
 will do what I can to sell the books. They deserve a large 
 sale. 
 
 Hoping this may find you in the enjoyment of health, hap- 
 piness and prosperity, I remain, dear madam. 
 Most sincerely yours, 
 
 D. G. Lanier. 
 
 Rectory, 
 Augusta, Ga., Nov. 5, 1888. 
 My Dear Mrs. Perry: As yet I have not been able to 
 study the "Biographical Sketches," but coming from Gov- 
 ernor Perry's head and heart, they must be subjects of fruit- 
 ful study. I will take great pleasure in reading them. As a 
 youth, with the long imaginary distance that stands between 
 men and the young, I admired and reverenced your noble hus- 
 band. Yet boys in their dreams and ambitions forthefuture 
 haveideals ; and one of my ideals was Governor Perry. Time 
 has not changed that ideal, only bringing it out into clearer 
 light, more distinct and marked setting. If I was a public 
 man, a politician in the nobler sense of the word, no higher 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry, 37 
 
 aim would animate me than to be as Governor Perry in many 
 traits of character. " He bein^ dead yet speak€»th." He 
 shares that glorious immortality, the best immortality, living 
 in spirit to mould and shape coming' ages, future generations. 
 His character and worth should be, will be, a study, an edii- 
 <^.ation to the young men, giving them high aspirations to 
 yearn for, great qualities and firm principles to cultivate. 
 
 The noblest work of God is a man of principle; and a man 
 of principle is the true follower of the Christ. I mean the 
 man who, having clear, well defined principles of right, truth 
 and duty; will never forsake, nor surrender them, who will 
 «tand Wkei granite against calumny ; popular opinion, attacks 
 of enemies; desertion of friends; who would rather lye right 
 than a popular idol; who would rather be true to conscience 
 and God, although solitary and alone and forsaken, than 
 have the plaudits of the fickle crowd. 
 
 The sun moves on steady and unchangeable; so the man of 
 principle lives on, governed by one motive, impelled by one 
 force, loyalty and devotion to truth. He is not swept away 
 by clamor, stirred by uncertain passion and enthusiasm. 
 What can be nobler and grander? Would you compare the 
 world's heroes with such a man? In all his life, pre-emi- 
 nently in the National Democratic Convention of 1860 in 
 Charleston, S. C, hissed, reviled, misunderstood, Governor 
 Perry stands out as the man of principle, the hero of the 
 unwritten historj^ of God. Unconsciously he had caught and 
 wrapt himself in the spirit of the Cross and its sacrifice, de- 
 votion to truth, to conscience and God, though reviling and 
 death follow close upon it. 
 
 The man of principle is the prophet of his day— first, be- 
 cause he declares the eternal will to men, which is loyaltj^and 
 devotion to truth, and, secondly, because he predicts what 
 will be, as he knows his principles will be in the end trium- 
 phant, and that an adverse course will bring ruin and de- 
 vastation. 
 
 Governor Perry was a prophet, warning the people and 
 their leaders of their folly, and declaring the evil to come. 
 He declared the truth and foretold the ruin which with the 
 vision of a Seer he saw. 
 
S8 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 What our public life needs to-day, is men of principle and 
 of strength and uprightness of character, and a.s an exam- 
 ple in whom these qualilies are combined and cemented by a 
 noble heart and mind, I would hold forth to the youno- men. 
 Governor Perry. 
 
 Believe me as yours very truly, 
 
 John Gass. 
 
 Columbia, ^r?. C, December 1, 1888. 
 Mrs. B, F. Perry, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 My Dear Madam : Your note advising me that you had 
 posted to my address a copy of the Biographical Sketches 
 by your lamented husband, reached me simultaneously with 
 the book. Please accept my grateful acknowledgments for 
 it and for the kind words that you employ in transmitting 
 it. I shall derive great pleasure from reading the book, for 
 while 1 was too young to take note of politics at the time 
 that Governor Perry was making his grand effort to save his 
 country from the direful effects of an unsuccessful war, and 
 moulding his reputation for wisdom, patriotism and bold- 
 ness, yet I have gathered enough of his life to accord him a 
 place second to none among the great men that South Caro- 
 lina has produced. In the light that time has brought, even 
 his enemies cannot deny him full credit for his noble effort in 
 behalf of his country, and if I may be allowed to express a 
 good wish for my State, it is that, at every critical juncture 
 in her political affairs, she may be able to find a leader wise 
 enough to comprehend the situation as Governor Perry did 
 in 1860, and like him bold enough to advocate his convictions 
 in the face of overwhelming opposition. 
 
 I observe that you persist in placing your son, Col. Perry, 
 under obligations to me. Permit me to correct you again, 
 by reminding you that what little I was able to do for Colo- 
 nel Perry was most cheerfully done, and that in view of his 
 constant and efficient services in pushing my claim through 
 Congress, the balance of obligation still stands in his favor. 
 
 Thanking you again for the book, and with great respect. 
 I remain, dear Madam, very sincerely, 
 
 Joseph M. English. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry, 39 
 
 Greenville, S. C, December 7, 1888. 
 
 Many, many thanks, my dear Mrs. Perry, for the volume 
 containing' the writings of your husband, compiled by your- 
 self. It has a two-fold value and interest to me. First, as a 
 token of your friendship, and then for the intrinsic worth and 
 beauty of the contents. I read the volume some weeks since 
 with great pleasure and profit. The lecture before the Lycp- 
 um of Cheraw is in itself a store of valuable information ; 
 the ending of it especially is touching and beautiful. But it 
 is all so interesting that one ca.nnot say which is most so. 
 The orations, addresses, lectures and lives of distinguished 
 men are given in a style of great purity and beauty, I may 
 say grandeur of language, conveying to my mind an image 
 of wisdom and all manly and moral goodness in the writer. 
 Such a man was Governor Perry. Such was his national rep- 
 utation. This and much, much more was he to you and to 
 his children. What a priceless blessing for time and for eter- 
 nity ! " The memory of the just cannot die." 
 
 This volume is a most valuable addition to my library, and 
 I will leave it to my grandchildren. 
 
 With love for yourself and Fannie, I am yours, 
 
 Mary Thompson. 
 
 University of California, 
 
 Berkeley, Cal., Dec. 12, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 My Dear Madam : I hasten to respond to your esteemed 
 favor of the 5th of December. The precious volume contain- 
 ing the writings of Governor Perry reached me safely; and 1 
 am quite sure that I sent you a prompt acknowledgment of 
 its receipt before I had the opportunity of examining its 
 contents. 
 
 Since that time, both Mrs. LeConte and myself have again 
 and again perused the volume, and wondered at and ad- 
 mired the extraordinary wisdom and prescience, (almost 
 amounting to divination), of your distinguished husband. 
 And more than all, the manifestations in his writings of 
 those rare attributes of human character which exalt and 
 
40 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 ennoble humanity, are indeed, precious heritages to U8, and 
 to future generations. It is gloiious to witness how the 
 nobility of his character rose when the gloom and shadow of 
 adversity of the "reconstruction times," overshadowed a 
 humiliated people. The volume is one^ of which you may, 
 most justly be proud. 
 
 We can never forget the period of our residence in South- 
 Carolina I As memory carries us back along the corridors of 
 time, those thirteen years of sojourn in the "Palmetto 
 State" constitute the happiest and most refreshing episode 
 in the lives of both of us. No institution of learning evei* 
 had such a Board of Trustees as that which constituted the 
 governing board of the " South Carolina College !" No body 
 of men ever had a keener appreciation of genuine learning and 
 culture, or manifested a deeper sympathy with those who 
 were struggling to comprehend and to unfold the great 
 principles of human knowledge. It was, indeed, a precious 
 privilege to be associated with such a group of men ; one of 
 whom was your honored husband. 
 
 My devoted wife, I am grieved to say, is almost a confirmed 
 invalid. Her power of locomotion is so much impaired, that 
 she has been compelled to give up society, in a great meas- 
 ure. Fortunately, she is able to ride into Oakland (distant 
 about four miles) in a carriage to visit our daughter-in-law, 
 (the wife of our only surviving child, Julian,) and our three 
 grandchildren. She is also able to walk about the house 
 tolerably comfortably, and amuses herself very profitably in 
 reading. Her condition of health is her excuse for not writ- 
 ing to you. She unites with me in the most affectionate re- 
 gards to you. Yours most sincerely, 
 
 John LeConte. 
 
ntn 
 
 
 ffffff? 
 
 NOTICE 
 
 Speech Before the Merchants, Mechanics and Business Men oV 
 Columbia, Delivered December 17, 1853, Thirty- 
 Five Years Ago, 
 
 By HON. B. F. PERRY. 
 
 (The Greenville Daily News.) 
 
 A mighty leader of the peoplein the old days was Benjamin 
 F. Perry, of this county. His thoughts were as free as the 
 mountain air, his courage was as dauntless, his will was in- 
 domitable. In his long public career, in which he held the 
 same position and stood without change for larger liberties 
 and more consideration for the masses of the people as 
 against the ruling few, he was o])posed by powers so enor- 
 mous that they would have crushed a weaker man, so ag- 
 gressive that they would have frightened one less brave. 
 Fiery, brilliant and dashing youth, staid, conservative and 
 weighty old age, social and political influences and the out- 
 lying flunkies with the ready client smile who have waited to 
 do the bidding of such in all ages of history, were united 
 against him. He fought his fight with only the hearts of 
 the people behind him — the plain, honest, lowly people who 
 were many times fool3d and driven and split, confused by 
 fine words and cunning tricks to opposing their own in- 
 terests. He lived to see many of the things he fought for 
 done, to see many of the abuses he had bitterly and bravely 
 denounced when they were entrenched in all the power of the 
 State overthrown, to welcome many of the gallant gentlemen 
 who in the blindness of loyalty to tradition and rearing had 
 opposed his reforms and insulted and derided him. as fellow 
 workers with him. He has gone to his reward. 
 
 On December 17th, 1853, Governor Perry delivered at Col- 
 umbia an address "to the Merchants, Mechanics and Busi- 
 ness Men of Columbia," on the subject of "Popular Educa- 
 tion." It was preserved and has recently been printed in 
 
42 Benja,min Franklin Perry. 
 
 pamphlet form by Mrs. Perry, The followinii,- extract from 
 it fits so perfectly some of the reasoning* now being advanced 
 against the separate Agricultural College and harmonizes so 
 well with the arguments offered by the friends of that institu- 
 tion that it might have been delivered yesterday : [As three 
 thousand copies of the Speech have been printed and getie- 
 rally read, we omit the extract.— Mrs. B. F. P.] 
 
 This speech created a tremendous outcry at the time. 
 Many good people believed then, as many good people be- 
 lieve now, that the foundations were about to be broken up. 
 One by one the barriers in the way of real democracy, of 
 actual rule by and for the people, which Governor Perry con- 
 tended for for thirty years, he succeeded in breaking down. 
 The parish system was abolished, a free school system has 
 been firmly established and is making healthy gi:rowth ; man- 
 hood suffrage has been obtained, and the people have aright 
 to vote directly for all their oflficers. Men are represented in 
 legislative bodies instead of dollars. ****«- 
 Whatever more is needed to make the work perfect will be 
 done in good time, if the people will hold to what they haye 
 and go right forward all together. 
 

 LETTERS 
 
 Acknowledging Ihe Receipt of the Speecli Before ttie Mercliants, Meclianics and Business Men 
 of Colufniiia, S. C, Delivered December 17, 1853, Thirtf-Five te Ago, 
 
 By HON. B. F. PERRY. 
 
 FuuMAN University, 
 
 Greenville, S. C, Aug. 22, 1888. 
 
 Dear Mrs. Perry: It gives me great pleasure to ac- 
 knowledge the receipt of another of the excellent addresses of 
 ex-Governor Perry, which you have so generously given to 
 the public — that delivered before the merchants, mechanics 
 and business men of Columbia in 1853. Although the author 
 apologized for its rather hasty pre])aration, he gave his 
 audience some of his maturest thoughts. 
 
 I have read the speech with interest ; and it is gratifying to 
 observe that the views of popular education which he then 
 urged, but which were only partially accepted by leading men 
 of the State, are now almost universally adopted ; and in 
 many parts of the State they find practical expression in 
 well organized public schools. It was, perhaps, Governor 
 Perry's misfortune to be born a half century too soon. His 
 views were ahead of his times. The reproduction of these ad. 
 dresses of your late distinguished husband, will, at least 
 serve to remind us of a debt of gratitude we owe to a great 
 
 and good man. 
 
 I have the honor to remain, 
 
 With great esteem. 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 C. H. JUDSON. 
 
 Office of State Superintendent of Education, 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Aug. 29, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 My Dear Madam: I cannot say too much in praise of the 
 address of Governor Perry sent by you to me. The senti 
 
44 Beujumiu Franklin Perry. 
 
 ments are elevated and as wide as humanity, and the argu- 
 ment is true in every detail. In my work, I have tried during 
 my time to impress just such views upon our people. I did 
 not know that the Governor had made such a speech and I 
 am encouraged to go on with my duties more diligently. 
 His lite was, however, so busy and so useful that he touched 
 on almost everything and dignified everything he touched. 
 Please present my respec-ts to Mrs. Beattie and your house- 
 hold. With my great regard, very respectfully, 
 
 James H. Rice. 
 
 (From the l^uperintendent of Public Schools in ('harleston. S. C.) 
 
 Charleston, S. C, Aug. 31, 1888. 
 
 Dear Mrs. Perry: On my return to the city this morning, 
 I found your kind rememVjrances awaiting me. I shall read it 
 with great pleasure and I am sure, with equal profit. 
 
 The Governor did a great deal for popular education, and 
 now that he is gone, his utterances seem to have been pro- 
 phetic. He was right, when he said long years ago, that 
 •'no peoi)le can sustain a Republic who have not Virtue and 
 Intelligence," and again, when he said: "Education is of so 
 much importance in a republican government, that it is the 
 absolute duty of the Commonwealth to educate her sons." 
 
 It was a noVjle inspiration which prompted you to publish 
 the sayings of your distinguished husband and to give to 
 posterity the wisdom of his utterances. With many thanks 
 for the copies sent me, allow me, dear Mrs. Perry, to subscribe 
 liiyself. Sincerely yours, 
 
 Henry P. Archer. 
 
 Bennettsville, S. C, Sept. 6, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Berry, 
 
 Dear Madam: I had just finished "Sketches," by Governor 
 B. F- Perry, when this morning I received by mail his 
 speech on popular education, delivered in Columbia, 17th of 
 December, 1853, recently republished by you, and a copy of 
 wiiich you have kindly sent me. Permit me to thank you 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 45 
 
 for it. I immediately read it, and am delighted with the 
 sound and wise sentiments of the address. I always enter- 
 tained for Governor Perry sentiments of esteem and admira- 
 tion, but after readino- his sketches and speeches, my ad- 
 miration for him is greatly increased, and I regard him a 
 great and good man. With sentiments of esteem, 
 
 I am, very respectfully, 
 
 J. H. Hudson. 
 
mMMMmmmMdM^Mmmmmmm 
 
 ■i^f^fmmmmm^^rmm^mmfmf 
 
 LETTERS 
 
 Acknowledging the Receipt oe the Second Edition of "In Memoriam, 
 
 (As this Tribute is published more especially for the benefit of the children 
 
 of Governor Perry, it is a pleasure to his wife to insert a few of the 
 
 letters received by her after the puplication of the second 
 
 editions of " In Memoriam " and " Erskine Address," 
 
 which she deems worthy of preservation ) 
 
 (From Judge John M. Lea, formerly Judge of the Supreme ('ourt of Tennessee and 
 now President of the Historical Society of that State.) 
 
 Nashville, Tenn., Dec. 3, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F Perry, 
 
 Dear Madam: The first series of Biographical Sketches 
 written by your lamented husband I read with much interest, 
 and the last volume which you were so kind as to send tome 
 a few weeks ago I have perused with equal pleasure. With 
 some eight or ten of the distinguished personages whose 
 lives are portrayed I enjoyed a personal acquaintance, and 
 with some of them, I may say, an intimate association, and 
 never in any history or biography were characters more 
 faithfully and impartially delineated — in fact, mental and 
 moral qualities are set forth as clearly and distinctly as the 
 most accomplished artist could have represented on canvas 
 the physical features of those distinguished men. These 
 Sketches are not only a most valuable contribution to politi- 
 cal historv, but they serve as models for the style and man- 
 ner in which biography should be written. All of truth and 
 nothing of exaggeration can be found within the leaves of 
 these books. Commendation does not savor of adulation, 
 the just mean is preserved, and scrutiny fails to find one 
 line of malice, or even a tinge of political ascerbity. 
 
 Your husband, my dear Madame, lived in a perilous time 
 and occupied, on account of his political sentiments, a most 
 delicate position, the duties of which he bravely and hero- 
 ically discharged. The relation which he occupied towards 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 47 
 
 the leading men of South Carolina illustrates the fact, so 
 honorable to human nature, that in minds truly generous 
 and great, difference of opinion need not necessarily degene- 
 rate into personal dislike or hostility, and it is really delight- 
 ful to read the tributes of respect which have been paid to" 
 his memory by those with whom he differed on questions in- 
 volving the life of the nation. Seldom in ancient or modern 
 times have we witnessed a spectacle so rare, the commentary 
 on which is an honor to the people and to the public men of 
 South Carolina. 
 
 The memory of so good and so great a man is a priceless 
 legacy, and may the evening of your days, dark as they may 
 be in your loneliness, be lighted up by recollections of him 
 who was a comfort to you in his life. May health and hap- 
 piness accompany you, Very trul^^ 
 
 John M. Lea. 
 
 ^ 
 
 Spartanburg, S. C, Oct. 26, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 Dear Madam: I feel highly honored this morning upon re- 
 ceiving a copy of the Memorial of your late husband, and 
 also a copy of the Address before the students of Erskine 
 College. In my boyhood I was taught by my father to 
 honor the name of Governor Perry, and since growing to 
 manhood and learning for myself the history of his career, I 
 have always admired his fearless integrity, as well as his pro- 
 found foi'esight, which led him to see what we now all see- 
 that secession would only bring disaster on our country. I 
 regret very much that I did not have a personal acquaint- 
 with him. 
 
 With many thanks for your kind remembrance, I am, 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 E. E. BOMAR. 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Oct. 31, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Sans Souci, 
 
 Dear Madam: Please allow^ me to thank you most sin- 
 cerely for '^The Memoriam" of your husband, the late Gov- 
 
48 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 ernor B. F. Perry, and also the "Address" to the Literary 
 Societies of Erskine Colle«je, in 1844. My personal acquaint- 
 ance vvitli the Governor was limited, but I knew him as the 
 man of Upper Carolina, his name being synonymous of the 
 courage, honor and integrity for which that section was so 
 characteristic. I heard him in a public speech — I think it was 
 in 1868— in our park, and could never forget the speech or 
 the man. His was truly a model character and I am having 
 both the Memorial and Address nicely bound for my son and 
 only child, whom you may have seen in your citj last year, 
 as he was there under Captain Patrick. It may spring from 
 selfishness in me to regret that the Memorial did not con- 
 tain an engraving of his commanding, majestic form and 
 noble brow, but I shall prize it none the less, and it shall 
 be preserved with m^'^ name in your own hand, in my library 
 for my children's children. 
 
 Most respectfully yours, 
 
 W. B. LOWRANCE. 
 
 Union, S. C, Oct. 31, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 My Dear Madam: Permit me to acknowledge the unaf- 
 fected, sincere pleasure with which I received from you, a day 
 or two since, the Memorial volume of your distinguished 
 husband, together with a (^opy of his Address before the 
 Literary Societies of Erskine College, in September, 1884. 
 
 Governor Perry was much my senior, and it was not my 
 good fortune to be personally known to him, but for many 
 years I have entertained the most unbounded respect for his 
 high, dignified and manly character. 
 
 The delicate and tender efforts of her with whom he had 
 walked for fifty years of his life to keep fresh in the minds of 
 his countrymen his commanding traits and virtues are, of 
 themselves, the most beautiful proof of his greatness. 
 
 After all, the wife is the truest judge of the man, and if her 
 voice declares that gentleness, nobleness and manliness are 
 there, it must be so. But when the words of the wife simplj^ 
 corroborate the sentiments and opinions of the world, how 
 abundant and how perfect is the testimony! 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 49 
 
 No one, therefore, other than yourself can so fittingly and 
 effectually perform the noble worlc you have undertaken, and 
 1 cannot but believe that great good must surely result to 
 all within its scope. 
 
 With the earnest hope that your life may be spared until 
 you have finished your work, in a manner pleasing to you, 
 and that coming years may bring you only gentle, unbroken 
 peace, I am, my dear madam. 
 
 Most respectfully and truly yours, 
 
 E. R. Wallace. 
 
 Woodruff, S. C, Oct. 31, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 My Dear Madam: Please accept my thanks for your 
 kindness in sending me both "In Memoriam " and the Ad- 
 dress of your lamented husband before the Literary Socie- 
 ties of Erskine College. 
 
 In reading the life of the Hon. B. F. Perry one can but be 
 impressed with the fact that truth, honesty and consistency 
 vri// receive their reward in the respect and admiration of 
 men. So the many testimonies of esteem show the honor 
 in which your husband was held. 
 
 Yours very respectfully, 
 
 W. W. Simpson. 
 
 Union, S. C, Oct. 31, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 My Dear Madam: You will please accept my heartfelt 
 thanks for your attention and regard in sending to me a 
 copy of the "Memoriam" of 3^our beloved husband, to- 
 gether with the address by him delivered before the Lit- 
 erary Societies of Erskine College in 1844 ; the appreciation 
 of which language is almost inadequate to express. The 
 address is certainly an unsurpassed masterpiece of its kind 
 that it has ever been my pleasure and privilege to peruse. I 
 have read this little pamphlet with profound interest, and 
 find embodied in its pages wise counsel and tender admoni- 
 
50 Benjamin FrnnkUn Ferry. 
 
 tion, worthy the heed and following of all— a condensed his- 
 tory of the life and character of many of the world's re- 
 nowned men of all ages — the most illustrious of whom I can, 
 with pardonable pride and propriety, compare the author; 
 and my greatest regret is that I had not the privilege of the 
 companionship and association of so great and good a man, 
 whose devotion to private and public duty, fearless firmness 
 and strict adherence to principle, commanded the respect 
 and admiration of all— friend and foe. The address of it- 
 self, aside from the grand granite shaft, will as well tend to 
 perpetuate his memory, and, as intended, benefit the young 
 of future generations; and the noble work of disseminating 
 it, should make your name a household word inev^ery family 
 that has children to rear and fit for the various vocations of 
 life. With tender sympathy and great respect, I am. 
 
 Yours sincerely, 
 
 eJoHN P. Gage. 
 
 CowpENS, S. C, Nov. 1, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perjiy, 
 
 Dear Madam: Please accept thanks for your kind con- 
 sideration in sending me a copy of the Memorial volume so 
 appropriately and neatly gotten up in memory of your de- 
 ceased husband. Governor B. F. Perry; also, for a copy of 
 his admirable and eloquent address before the Literary So- 
 cieties of Erskine College, nearly a half a century ago. 
 
 I have read them both carefully, and, I trust, profitably. 
 It was never my good fortune to know Governor Perry per- 
 sonally, though I had seen him a few times, T knew him only 
 by reputation. And though ray feeble pen can add nothing 
 in the way of eulogy, I must and will say that in my hum- 
 ble judgment. Governor Perry was the most honest, far- 
 seeing and wise statesman that South Carolina has ever pro- 
 duced, or in all probability ever will ! Had his wise counsels 
 been heeded, the noblest sons of our Sunny South would 
 never have been so foolishly and cruelly sacrificed. 
 
 While we mourn our great loss in his death, we should be 
 consoled by the fa^*^ that he lived to see his predictions lit- 
 
Benjamm Franklin Perry. 51 
 
 erally fulfilled, and those who differed with him at one time 
 in politics, ready to rise up and call him " blessed. " 
 
 His memory will be cherished when the marble that towers 
 above his grave has crumbled. 
 
 Sincerely yours, &c., 
 
 John Dp:wberry. 
 
 Union, S. C, Nov. 2, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 Dear Madam : It is a pleasure to me to acknowledge the 
 receipt of the ''In Memoriam " and the Erskine Address of 
 your noble husband. 
 
 Others have said enough about Governor I'erry's distin- 
 guished qualities. I must think that you, who have gone to 
 such pains and expense to perpetuate his memory and to 
 disseminate his words of truth among oui- people, must 
 have contributed much to his great success. 
 
 Thanking you sincerely for including me among those you 
 have honored, I am, yours sincerely, 
 
 B. F. Bailey. 
 
 Danville, Va., Nov. 2, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 My Dear Madam: I acknowledge with pleasure the Me- 
 morial and Address sent me, and have read with great in- 
 terest the sketch of Governor Perry's life. Would that there 
 had been more like him, for then we might have secured our 
 rights in the Union without the loss of so many of our 
 choicest lives. 
 
 Like him, some of my own people opposed secession, (as 
 did General Lee himself, as late as January 23, 1861), and 
 like him, had of course to abide by the State, and share in 
 the miseries of her people. 
 
 I take the liberty of forwarding to you an address deliv- 
 ered last summer by my brother, Thomas Nelson Page, at 
 Washington and Lee University, on -'The Old South.'' 
 Hoping that you may like the address, I am, with respect. 
 Your obedient servent, 
 
 Rosewell Page. 
 
52 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 No. 32 Broad Street, 
 Charleston, S. C, Nov. 5, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 My Dear Madam : 1 am in receipt of the pamphlet in me- 
 mory of the late Governor Perry, and the eopy of his address 
 before the Societies of Erskine College in 1844. 
 
 I beg that you will accept my sincere thanks for both ; and 
 my assurance of my most profound respect for the memory 
 of your late husband. It was my misfortune that my youth 
 prevented my intimate association with him, but I have read 
 of him, and heard of him, always with reverent regard for 
 his virtues, and an earnest desire to emulate those virtues 
 and his many accomplishments. 
 
 I remember very well that while on a visit to your city 
 more than ten years ago, he spoke words of great encour- 
 agement to me. It was at the commencement of my pro- 
 fessional life, and he made me feel that I had his best wishes 
 for my success, and I then felt, and now appreciate very 
 highly, of hosv much value those wishes were, as they were 
 honest and genuine as his whole life, public and private, was 
 sincere and faithful. 
 
 I shall read and keep these books as guides and helps to me, 
 and I am, my dear madam. 
 
 Very respectfully and faithfully, 
 
 Simeon Hyde. 
 
 Abbeville, S. C, Nov. 8, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 Dear Mrs. Perry : Please accept many thanks for your 
 kind consideration in sending me a copy of the "In Memo- 
 riani" and also of the address delivered by Hon. B. F. Per- 
 ry before the Literary Societies of Erskine College. 
 
 In every age it has been a few men who have given a coun- 
 try its renown and glory, and when we trace the pages of 
 history we find no name that has cast greater lustre upon 
 our country than that of your illustrious husband, whose 
 loss was so keenly felt by us all. 
 
 In having the courage to express his convictions, under 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 53 
 
 any and all circumstances, he has set us an example which 
 can but be admired by all those who love truth, bravery 
 and honor. With great respect I am, 
 
 Yours very truly, 
 
 * ICuGENE B. Gary. 
 
 Orangeburg, S. C, Nov. 10, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Sans Souci, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 Dear Madam: Permit me to thank you, and express my 
 high appreciation of your kindness in sending me the "In 
 Memoriam " volume of your husband, the late Governor B. F. 
 Perry, and especially for his very able and instructive 
 Erskine College Address, both of which have been read with 
 no ordinary interest and pleasure. 
 
 Governor Perry was a grand maii, and you have made this 
 generation your debtor by preserving to them the sketch of 
 a life that was the embodiment of lofty patriotism, high 
 principle and superb courage. His name and fame are se- 
 curely fixed in the hearts of his State, as well as in the his- 
 tory of her great men and achievements. With highest es- 
 teem and sincere thanks. 
 
 Yours very respectfully, 
 
 T. M. Raysor. 
 
 CoMPTON, S. C, Nov. 10, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 My Dear Madam : Accept my thanks for the kind con- 
 sideration that prompted you to forward to me a copy of 
 the "Memoriam " and Erskine College address of your late 
 honored and lamented husband. Though but a lad when I 
 knew him fii'st, and having since removed from near his 
 home, I deem it an honor and claim the privilege of calling 
 myself his friend and always admirer. My father, who was 
 the Rev. C. P. Dean, was a warm friend of your great and 
 good husband, and held him up to his children as one wor- 
 thy of honor and emulation — and how well do I remember 
 his stalwart form when in the court house in 1860 or '59— 
 he first became known to me. It was during the grea,t trial 
 
o4 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 between Cooley and Chapman, where he gained, I expect, his 
 greatest triumph at the bar, and where his comp)arisons and 
 invective drove his eminent opponent, Charles Sullivan, Esq., 
 from the court room. 
 
 Though but fifteen years old, while a student at Furman 
 University in 18()0, and while all were wild with fanaticism, 
 and the people had assembled to nominate candidates to the 
 convention to dissolve the Union, there were none to stem 
 the current save our esteemed and venerated friend. 1 was 
 at heart with him, and I often wished for the temerity to 
 approach him and tell him I was with him in his love for the 
 Union. I had some hot words on several occasions with our 
 boys when they were too rough in their expressions against 
 him, but I, like him, fell into the current, and after Lee had 
 surrendered found tears too willing to flow for the wieck of 
 the ''Lost Cause. " Alas! who can tell what had been the 
 result if his sound and sensible words h^d been heeded. 
 But God is good. He works in us and through us, in ways 
 we know not of, and we can thank Him heartily that He gave 
 us such a noble man, for us to know and to love and to 
 honor, and whose works and influence will live long years yet 
 to come, and may He be more than a husband to you, and 
 guide, direct and sustain you, giving you comfort and con- 
 solation each day as your declining years and strength may 
 need, and at last meet you on the banks of the Beautiful 
 River. Please accept my kindest and most sincere regards. 
 y George R. Dean. 
 
 Union, S. C, Nov. 15, 1887. 
 Dear Mrs. Perry : Allow me to thank you for your kind- 
 ness in sending me cojjies of the "In Memoriam " of your 
 noble husband, my dear friend, Govei-nor Perry, and of his 
 address before the Literary Societies of Lrskine College, 
 both of which I shall preserve for the benefit of my children, 
 to the end that they may learn all they can of the patriot 
 and statesman who thoujrht for himself, and boldly as- 
 serted his opinions, regardless of the numbers who differed 
 with him. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 55 
 
 I rejoice that I served with Governor Perry in the Legisla- 
 ture in the winter of 1864, where I had a good opportunity 
 to behold for myself his nobleness of heart and soul, his 
 steadfastness to pri »ciple, statesmanship and bravery. 
 
 Had a majority of the people of this State in 1860 enter- 
 tained similai- political views to those of Governor Perry, 
 there would have been no secession — no war. 
 
 While visiting my son last week in the South Carolina 
 College, your grandson, Perry Beattie, came up and spoke 
 to me. How I appieciated his politeness, his thoughtfulness 
 and kindness in speaking to me. I see in him a striking re- 
 semblance of his grandfather. Governor Perry. 
 
 Present my kind regards to Mrs. Beattie, and accept for 
 yourself the sympathies of one who, like yourself, is ac- 
 quainted with sorrow and grief. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 J. G. McKissicK. 
 
 (From H. L Dawes, U. S. Senator from Massachusetts.) 
 
 PiTTSFiELD, Nov. 19, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Sans Souci, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 My Dear Madam : Please accept my thanks for a copy of 
 the Memorial of your honored husband, and also an address 
 delivered by him. Governor Perry has long been honored and 
 I'espected by all those familiar with the life and character of 
 our public men, as well on account of his great moral worth 
 as his conspicuous firmness of character and courage of con- 
 victions. I do not call to mind at this time any one who 
 has stood up so bravely in vindication of what he believed 
 to be right, against strong current of public sentiment 
 around him, as your husband. His name and character and 
 example will; prove in after times to be of great value to 
 the rising generation of public men, and their influence will 
 continue to be felt through many generations. Especially 
 will his memory be cherished in Massachusetts, for the no- 
 ble and courageous stand he took in behalf of one of the best 
 of our public men sent to your State under circumstances 
 
56 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 and upon an errand especially distasteful to j-our people. 
 
 Thanking you a^ain for these Memorials of him, I am, 
 with great respect and sympathy, 
 
 Your obedient servant, 
 
 H. L. Dawes. 
 
 Note — In 1844 Governor Perry was elected to the State Senate of South Caro- 
 lina, and while a member of that body voted alone against the resolution ordering 
 the expulsion from the State of Hon. Samuel Hoar, who was sent here by the State 
 of Massachusetts to test the legality of a law relating to colored seamen. Every 
 other Senator voted for it, but Governor Perry spoke energetically against it, and 
 had his solitary vote recorded on the negative side, declaring that hostile majori- 
 ties had no terrors for him while he was conscientiously performing his duty. 
 
 Aiken, S. C, Nov. 19, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 Dear Madam : Allow me to thank you for the pamphlet 
 "In Memoriam, Benjamin Franklin Perry,*' which reached 
 me a few days since. 
 
 To do justice to the memory of your lamented husband 
 would require a volume; indeed, a history of the State dur- 
 ing that long period in which he was a leader in the coun- 
 cils. For a half century he stood among the ablest of that 
 distinguished band of Carolinians who made this State 
 great, beloved by its citizens and respected by the civilized 
 world. In the providence of God he reached a ripe age. and 
 honored, respected and beloved, he has passed from the toil 
 of life, and enjoys the reward reserved for those who love and 
 labor for their fellow men. 
 
 I trust, dear madam, that you will long be spared to 
 your family and friends. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 James Aldrich. 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Nov. 20, 1887. 
 Hon. Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 Dear Madam: Allow me to express to you my many 
 thanks for the compliment conferred, by sending me through 
 mail a copy of the " Memoriam " touching upon the charac- 
 ter, life and services of your distinguished consort, now de- 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 57 
 
 ceast^d. In his character was combined in a remarkable de- 
 o:ree all those elements of j>:reatness, which command the re- 
 spect and admiration of all thoughtful and honorable men. 
 He displayed in no small det2:ree that calm judg'ment, finesse 
 (Tesprit and sagacity so characteristic of a great statesman 
 during our troubles amidst the clamors of an angry popu- 
 lace and the stormy periods of a revolution ; and when the 
 "tocsin " for the destruction of the Union was ringing from 
 one end of the South to the other he stood up like a great 
 patriot^ at one time almost alone, and fought against fright- 
 ful odds for the preservation of his (country. He did not 
 blindly follow the dictum of a few leading politicians, or 
 take his political opinions from the views or abstract theo- 
 ries of some so-called political philosopheis, but had his own 
 standpoint, and being highly endowed intellectually, exer- 
 cised his own individual judgment and reason in solving the 
 political questions and problems of his day and time. One 
 fact that the distinguished and lamented Mr. Pettigru said 
 of Judge Berian, of Georgia, may, with great propriety, be 
 applied to him, viz: " He was no politician, but a distin- 
 guished lawyer and statesman." It is a curious fact, but 
 nevertheless one which history will bear out, that some of 
 the most distinguished men of ancient and modern times 
 vere never appreciated until they had passed away— until 
 they were dead. They were in some instances even perse- 
 cuted during their lifetime from the fact that their ideas and 
 opinions did not run current with the popular ideas and 
 opinions of their day and time. Such was the case with 
 Aristides, Socrates, the lamented Pettigru ,and many others. 
 Mr. Pettigru died unfortunately before the war closed, but 
 your husband was more fortunate. He was permitted by a 
 kind and divine Providence to see it end. Permitted to ap- 
 pear again upon the scene of action during the reconstruc- 
 tive era, and to assist in the building up of his country. 
 Yes, permitted to realize the fuliUhnent of hm prophesies and 
 the truthfulness of his utterances. 
 
 •'Tnith crushed to earth, will rise again, 
 
 The eternal years of God are hers; 
 But error stricken, writhes in pain, 
 
 And dies amidst her worshippers." 
 
 Please accept, madam, the assurance of my highest con- 
 sideration. JO. Seabrook, M. D. 
 
^8 Benjmnin Friiuklin Ferry 
 
 Chick's Springs, S. C, Nov. 22, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 My Dear Madam: In thanking- you for your highly ap- 
 preciated present, to-vvit, the address and life of my much 
 honored friend, ex-Governor Perry, the date of that ad- 
 dress carries me back to my first school-boy days, which was 
 in a little pine log house in the middle of an old field, where 
 now stands a nice residence, store and church known as Lo- 
 cust Hill, in the upper part of our County. It also brings to 
 my mind how I used to. about that time, saddle up my horse 
 on Saturday evening, and gallop off to the postoffice to get 
 the nice, clean Southern Patriot, which was sent free to my 
 father during the whole time of Governor Perry's connection 
 with the paper, or this is my recollection at this time. It 
 also reminds me of the fact that I voted for him from my 
 first vote every time the opportunity was afforded. I can 
 call to mini! so much of his sayings and doings in the court 
 house of our County, and at many other places, that I will 
 read the address, and more particularly the life of the man I 
 always thougnt so much of. Now, dear madam, allow me 
 again to thank you, and wish for you many more days of 
 liappiness with your son, Colonel W. H. Perry ; and for him 
 I can only wish the mantle of his honored father to fall and 
 cover him completely up. With this very imperfect acknow- 
 ledgement of yours, and with my respects, I am. 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 R. B. Gibson. 
 
 (From the Superintendent of Pnplic Schools in rolumbia. S. C.) 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Nov. 23, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 Dear Madam: The admirable address of your distin- 
 guished husband and your Memorial volume to that noble 
 man have been received and read with much pleasure and 
 j)rofit. 
 
 Truly is it, as he so well says : '• Nothing can conduce more 
 to the improvement of the young mind than the reading and 
 rontemplation of the lives of great men, " and his life is an 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 59 
 
 illustration of the truth, in the good influence which its con- 
 templation has already exerted. As one specially interested 
 in education, I must thank you for preserving, for the imita- 
 tion and emulation of the youth of our State and country, a 
 record of the labors, trials and triumphs of a life whose 
 watchword was always '' Right, ^^ and never '^ Expediency,'' 
 even under the most tiyin^ difficulties and discouragements. 
 Many will surely be the better and stronger for reading what 
 one of "Nature's noblemen '' had the courage to dare and 
 do in the line of right and duty. With great respect, I am. 
 Very sincerely yours, 
 
 D. B. Johnson. 
 
 Charleston, S. C, Jan. 3, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 Dear Madam: I have just received the Memorial oi Gov- 
 ernor Perry, together with his address to the Literary So- 
 cieties of Erskine College, which I beg gratefully to ac- 
 knowledge. 
 
 The fame of Governor Perry, and the eminence of his 
 character and public services are a part of the inheritance of 
 the State. They illustrate the history of our people. The 
 example of such a life is a legacy to posterity. The address 
 is a reflection of Governor Perry's individuality. Its senti- 
 ments flow naturally from such a source. Happy the man, 
 young or old, who is able not only to appreciate, but to 
 practice what he inculcates. I am, dear madam, 
 Yours most respectfully, 
 
 B. H. IIutlege. 
 
 Methodist Rectory, 
 Greenville, S. C, Jan. 12, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 Dear Madam: Accept my sincere thanks for the Memo- 
 riam of your lamented husband, and also for the copy of his 
 able address at Erskine College. I have grea^tly desired these 
 publications, but to receive them from your hands enhances 
 their value. 
 
60 BenJHinin Franklin Perry. 
 
 From a child I admired Governor Perry, and my admira- 
 tion iiK'reasod to the end of his life, and still grows. I am 
 sure that he more than deserved the high praises which fol- 
 lowed him living, and which embalm his memory now. And 
 I believe when posterity sifts the men and days past and 
 passing, his honor and fame will be grenter than they are 
 to-day, albeit, onr whole State and the informed of our 
 country now mourn "a prince and a great man." 
 
 May the Divine Comforter sustain you and yours. Will 
 you accept for yourself and convey to your family most 
 heartfelt sympathy. From yours most sincerely. 
 
 John O. VVillson. 
 
 Lancaster C. H., S. C, Jan. 12, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 My Dear Madam: I received the pamphlet, ''In Memo- 
 nam," of your distinguished husband, the Hon. Benjamin 
 F. Perry, which you so kindly sent to me the first week of 
 the new year. I was away from home at the time the 
 pamphlet came for me, otherwise it would have been ac- 
 knowledged sooner. The Memoriam is a just tribute to the 
 life, character, and public acts of your husband. 
 
 Governor Perry was a man of decided character. He not 
 only possessed ability and integrity, but he possessed moral 
 (courage in a v(?ry high degree. He was a bold, forcible and 
 impressive speaker. He was one of the leaders of the Union 
 party in South Carolina, and the denunciations and frowns 
 of party never caused him to shrink from the maintenance 
 and defense of his principles. Although he differed from the 
 dominant party in the State, yet he was always regarded as 
 an honest politician, and true to his convictions of right and 
 duty. 
 
 It was my good pleasui'e to know Governor Perry, and to 
 receive from him acts of kindness. 
 
 Thanking you for your kindness in sending me the paraph- 
 let, I remain yours very truly, 
 
 George M. C. Witherspoon. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 61 
 
 (From Bishop Stevens.) 
 
 211 Bull Street, 
 Charleston, S. C, March 16, 1888. 
 Mrs, B. F. Perry, 
 
 Dear Madam: I return thanks for the compliment paid 
 me by sending me a copy of "The Memorial Tribute" to 
 your husband, Hon. B. F. Perry. 
 
 Though never having a personal acquaintance with Gov- 
 ernor Perry, I have always regarded him with the highest 
 admii'ation for his integrity of character and unswerving 
 devotion to principle. 
 
 I shall never forget the splendid triumph of his moral 
 worth, when in the Democratic Convention of 1860, in this 
 city, he controlled the excited and opposing body, and com- 
 pelled them to listen respectfully to views not one relished or 
 agreed with. Very respectfully, 
 
 P. F. Stevens. 
 
 La GranCxE, S. C, March 27, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 Dear Madam : Please accept my thanks for your kind re- 
 membrance of me in sending the Memorial pamphlet of 
 your noble husband. 
 
 He obtained and justly merited the admiration of all the 
 the people of South Carolina. I have never heard his name 
 mCTitioned except in the highest terms of regard. 
 
 No man could leave a. greater legacy to his sons than the 
 nobility of soul which seems to have characterized every ac- 
 tion of your lamented husband. I shall always keep the 
 Memorial of Governor Perry, and regard it as a just tribute 
 to one of the grandest and most illustrious men that South 
 Carolina has ever known. With sincere respect, I am, 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 John G. Mobley. 
 
 Laurens, S. C, April 24, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 Dear Madam: I have the honor to acknowledge the re- 
 
62 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 ceipt of a copy of "In Memoriam, " your beautiful tribute 
 to the memory of your distinguished husband, to<>:ether with 
 the address delivered before the Literary Societies of Ers- 
 kine College, both of which I shall read and preserve with 
 pleasure. It is indeed fortunate for posterity that you have 
 preserved these evidences of the love and esteem in which he 
 was held, for while the generation of to-day needs no re- 
 minder of him, they will serve to give his example to others 
 yet to come. On several occasions it was my good fortune 
 to hear him in public, and his words of wisdom have never 
 been forgotten. His keen foresight in the councils of State 
 and the independence of his course will not only make him 
 immortal in American history, but will vouchsafe to his pos- 
 terity the honor and respect which his name inspires. 
 Yours with the greatest esteem, 
 
 Frank P. McGowan. 
 
 Washington, D. C, May 29, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 My Dear Madam : I feel very much obliged by your kind- 
 ness in sending me copies of the "Memorial" of your hus- 
 band and of his address at Erskine College in 1844. 1 am 
 very glad to have a permanent record of such a life as his 
 has been. Ever since I have been able to form an opinion on 
 such a subject, I have thought him one of the wisest, bravest 
 and most enlightened men of our State. To the satisfaction 
 of seeing the present honor done to his memory, I think you 
 may well add a reasonable hope that posterity will do even 
 more. 
 
 With the assurance of my sympathy in your great loss, 
 believe me. Yours very truly, 
 
 James Lowndes. 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Dec. 17, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 Dear Madam: Knowing that you would receive so many 
 letters from the distinguished friends ot your late husband, 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 63 
 
 the Hon. B. F. Perry, I felt reluctant to add my feeble trib- 
 ute to his worth and eminent services. 
 
 I knew him for many years, and although I differed with 
 him politically before the war, I always admired him for the 
 boldness and independence of his character, his strength of 
 intellect and his manl^^ and noble bearing. When it was my 
 good fortune to see him, as I often did in our Legislative 
 halls, battling with all the force of his powerful intellect, 
 singly and alone, in defense of what he believed to be right 
 and best, with nearly the whole State against him, I felt that 
 I was in the presence of a Roman who w ould do and dare all 
 for his convictions. 
 
 After the war we were »irawn nearer together beca use our 
 sentiments were alike, and I have always regai-ded it as the 
 greatest compliment ever paid me, when he arose in the Con- 
 vention of 1876, and nominated me as a delegate to the 
 National Convention. 
 
 You are engaged in a noble work in handing down to pos- 
 terity the virtues and noble character of such a man, and 
 permit me to say I honor 3'ou for it. 
 
 Very truly yours, 
 
 William Wallace. 
 
 Greenville, S. C, Feb. 18, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C, 
 
 Dear Madam: Your valued favor of recent date was 
 promptly received, as were also the "InMemoriam" and 
 "Erskine Address." I had not seen the "In Memoriam," 
 and with great pleasure, seated v/ith the members of my 
 family around the fireside, on the night of its reception, I 
 read it to them, who were likewise greatly interested, I had 
 read the "Erskine Address" twice before, but am much 
 pleased to have it in paniphlet form. I have carefully filed 
 it for future reference. 
 
 You will see from the enclosed list that I have executed 
 your request. I have done so for four reasons: First — Be- 
 cause of the very great value of the Address. Second — 
 Because I think those named would highly appreciate it. 
 
64 Benjajnin Franklin Perry. 
 
 Third — Because they possess good opportunities to dis- 
 tribute it amongst the children of our county, and a few, as 
 you see, are in other Counties. Fourth — That you niay have 
 a full list of the trustees and white teachers of our County 
 from which you can select. 
 
 From a boy, I was taught by my parents, who were great 
 admirers of Governor Perry, to look upon him as a noble 
 man, pure and upright in heart, brave and fearless when 
 moved by convictions of the justice of his cause, honest in all 
 opinions and dealings, just to all according to his judgment 
 of the right, possessed of natural ability, by industry and 
 perseverance a master of his profession, a statesman of high 
 order, and familiar with the writings of all good authors. 
 Added to this teaching, when yet quite a lad, 1 was given the 
 opportunity, which I gladly embraced, of reading his "Re- 
 miniscences of Great Men" as they were pul)lished in the 
 newspapers, and their good impressions were many and 
 strong. 
 
 I shall never forget when I tlrst saw Governor Perry. The 
 occurrence made a deep impression on my mind. I was sent 
 by my father with a note to him for some legal advice. On 
 my way I had many thoughts and really wondered if I 
 should indeed see him of whom I had read and been 
 told so much. I entered his office and was re- 
 ceived by him with as much invility and politeness 
 as if I had been a man, though I was very much fright- 
 ened at the thought of having to go into the presence 
 of so great a man. He enquired my name, which I 
 gave, and presented the note. Seeing that I was cold, for 
 the morning was chilly and I had ridden some distance on 
 horseback, he turned to make special arrangements for my 
 comfort by the glowing fire. When I was seated he read the 
 note and turned to his desk and wrote his reply. While he 
 wrote, being somewhat behind him, I sat and gazed at him 
 in perfect boyish amazement. When he had finished the re- 
 ply he turned and handed it to me, and at once, to my very 
 great astonishment, entered upon a general conversation 
 about our neighborhood — the people. He seemed as famil- 
 iar with their names as I was, their health, stock, crops, high 
 
BenjawJn Franklin Pony. 65 
 
 water, etc., to all of which I made the best answers I could. 
 When I was ready to go I r(K;eived from him the same kind- 
 ness and courtesy as that with which he received me. When 
 out of his office I soon became mysplf again. I was indeed 
 alight-hearted, happy boy, for I had really seen Governoi- 
 Perry. This taught me the lesson that no boy need evei- 
 fear to go into the presence or a truly great man, for he 
 would receive nothing but the kindest treatment and con- 
 sideration, such as I had received from Oovernor Perry. 
 This lesson has serv^ed me well on many occasions since, and 
 I shall never foi-get it. 1 apprehend a general distribution 
 of this excellent Erskine address, such as is proposed by you. 
 will sow many good seeds that will spring up and bear much 
 good fruit as the boys into whose hearts they lodge, ripen 
 into manhood, and throughout their lives will they reflect 
 it. 1 am, with great i-espect, VV. D. Mayfield. 
 
 Beauvoir,Mi88., De( . 28, 1888. 
 Mus. B. F. Perry, 
 
 Dear Madam: 1 regret to find from your letter of the 5th 
 instant that you have not received mine acknowledging 
 your kind consideration in sending to me the biographical 
 sketches of eminent Amei-ican statesmen, among whom was 
 your deceased husband. So far as he and I differed as to 
 policy it did not prevent entire concurrence in feeling and 
 wishes for the future of our section, and surely detracted 
 nothing from my respect for his character and judgment. 
 The consciousness of the rectitude of oui* own motives must 
 always excite toleration for those who ma,y not agree with 
 us. 
 
 May God's best blessings rest upon you, is the sincere wish 
 of vours, Jefferson Davis. 
 
w^f'^wi^mwBm^mmwi^^m^rm 
 
 Governor Perry in His Law flice anil at fio.ne, a! "Sans Siyc'." 
 
 (The following notice of Governor Perry by his attached friend, Hon. C. W. 
 
 Dudley, gives so graphic an account o him that it is thought 
 
 worthy >'»f a place in this Tribute.) 
 
 (We c^py the following paragraph, in which Governor Perry is so kindly spoken, 
 of, from the last issue of the Marlborough Planter, published at Bennettsville, 
 whose editor. Colonel C. W. Dudley, recently paid our city a visit. — Enterprise and 
 Moantnineer, Greenville, S. C, September 12, 1877.) 
 
 But "sz ruat cwlum " our readers shall not pass over the 
 fact that we saw in Greenville that noble Roman, Governor 
 Perry, and his interesting* family. He resides about three 
 miles from the city, with a panorama of hills and mountains 
 in full view of a splendid building' now in process of consti'iic- 
 tion and nearly finished, in which he proposes to spend the 
 latter years of his life, in elegant retirement. Itis not saying 
 too much when we venture the assertion that Greenville has 
 been built up around him. That he is the great centre post of 
 the industries and the educational advantages now so promi- 
 nent in that city. The world has not been mistaken in sup- 
 posing that where such a man has so long been honored by 
 the confidence of the people, they themselv-es love the princi- 
 ples which have adorned his life, and form a society in which 
 it would be well to mingle. Consequently Greenville attracts 
 visitors from every section of the country. It is in the direct 
 route to Caesar's Head, Flat Rock, and other points where 
 health and recreation may be found, and is a resting place 
 on the way, where the excursionist who ever knew Governor 
 Perry rarely fails to call and pay his respects. He is punctual 
 in attendance at his office every day, but has shunned the 
 court house during radical rule as a pestilence. His son, 
 Mr. VV. H. Perry, is in active practice, and has relieved him 
 from that duty. Governor Perry makes no compromises of 
 principle, nor bends to any considerations of mere expe- 
 diency. His lofty nature has felt nothing but scorn and cc^n- 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 67 
 
 tempt for radical official fraud, and lie has never failed to ex- 
 press it, in the most unmistakable manner. Hence, he has 
 not bowed before their authority, nor recognized them, in 
 court or out of it, except as objects of disgust and abhor- 
 rence. His law office, at the time we called, was like a crowded 
 levee. After remaining there about an hour, enjoying the 
 luxury of conversation, such as the most intelligent people 
 like to indulge in and to hear, we bowed ourselves out and 
 retreated to make room for others. 
 
 We could not help thinking that Governor Perry was like 
 a great beacon light in the State, attracting by his high 
 character the eyes of the whole population, and inviting 
 them to stand upon the same pedestal he has always occu- 
 pied. Just such men as he are moral disinfectants, and if it 
 were in the order of nature, we would hope that he might 
 never die, and never srow older. 
 
 (This lett<?r and dcHcription of Sans Sovci, by Governor Perry's young friend, 
 
 McDonald Furman, was received while this Tribute was being compiled, 
 
 and is so much appreciated that it is thought proper to place it 
 
 among the other valuable contributions to the memory 
 
 of this great man. 
 
 Ramsey, Sumter County, S. C, Dec. 15, 1888. 
 
 Dear Mrs. Perry : You will find enclosed an article which 
 appeared in to-day's Sumter Advance, giving an account of 
 the day I spent at Sans Souci six years ago. At the time I 
 wrote the account in my diary I had no idea of ever publish- 
 ing it, but since then I have thought that it would form an 
 interesting article, so I have had it published. Governor 
 Perry had many admirers in this section of South Carolina, 
 and this account of his home will be of interest to them. 
 This is, I suppose, one of the fullest accounts of Sans Souci, 
 which has ever appeared in a newspaper. The day I spent at 
 Sans Souci was one of the most enjoyable of my school life 
 in Greenville, and it is a day which I will always hold in pleas- 
 ant memory. 
 
 I hope you are in the enjoyment of good health. With 
 
68 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 kind rega rds to yourself and the other members of your family 
 I remain sincerely yours, 
 
 McDonald Fukman. 
 
 It is two years this month since the veteran statesman, 
 Benjamin F. Perry, died. Governor Perry was not only a 
 statesman, he was also a jurist and a man of letters. Seve- 
 ral years ago the vvriter of these lines was a cadet at the 
 Greenville Military Institute, and I used sometimes to visit 
 Governor Pen*y at his law office and chat pleasantly with 
 him. In June, 1882, I spent, by invitation, a day at Saus 
 Souci, as the Perry mansion is named. It is situated about 
 three miles from the city of Greenville. As it may be of in- 
 terest to your readers to learn something about the home of 
 this distinguished South Carolinian, I uive below an account 
 of the day I spent at Sans Souci. It is copied (and some- 
 what condensed) from a diary I kept at that time. 
 
 Perry Beattie (a arandson of Governor Perry) came for 
 jne in a buggy and drove me out. I found the ride ver^ 
 pleasant. At last we approached Sans Souci. Mrs. Perry 
 met nie at the door with a friendly smile. Her daughter, 
 Mrs. William Beattie, was there, and she, Mrs. Perry and I 
 were soon engaged in a pleasant conversation. Presently 
 Governor Perry returned from his law office, accompanied by 
 young Sam Townes, who also spent the da,y there. After 
 paitaking of some nice fruit. Perry Beattie carried Townes 
 and myself into the cupola, on top of the mansion. The 
 mountain view from this point is lovely, and it appears as if 
 some beautiful picture was spread out before you. A person 
 can see mountains in three States from the cupola, viz: 
 South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. 
 
 Next, Beattie carried us over the grounds and to the stable, 
 which is a large and handsome brick building, and everything 
 is most complete about it. Near the mansion is a small 
 stream, with a tiny fishpond on it, in which are some carp. 
 
 Sans Souci is a large and beautiful brick mansion, and in 
 some places pretty vines are being trained up its sides. The 
 grounds are beautifully laid off. After rambling over them. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 69 
 
 we went into the library, which is a most valuable and ex- 
 tensive one. It is contained in two rooms separated by fold- 
 ing- doors. Governor Perry has a great many works relating 
 to American history, which I looked at. Gentle reader, you 
 who love books and delight to glance on the pages of history, 
 you can imagine what a delightful time I had. While I was 
 in the library I heard sweet strains of music which proceeded 
 from a music box. 
 
 After awhile we went to dinner. After this was over, we 
 returned to the library, where we engaged in pleasant conver- 
 sation. The Governor did not remain long inthe library ; he 
 appeared as though he felt fatijrued. I presume he took an 
 afternoon nap. 
 
 Later on in the afternoon Beattie took Townes and my- 
 self to the orchard, where we found a tree loaded with deli- 
 cious (iherries. After eating as many of them as we wished, 
 Mrs. Beattie took us over the garden, which Governor Perry 
 informed me he attended to. After our stroll through the 
 garden, Townes and I said farewell and returned to Green- 
 ville. 
 
 I knew I should have a good time at Sans Souci, but I 
 had a far better time than I even anticipated having. Gov- 
 ernor and Mrs. Perry are so kind arid hospitable; they have 
 such a valuable library, and such a delightful place, that a 
 visitor could not help but have a pleasant time at Sans 
 Souci. McDonald Furman. 
 
 Privateer Township, Dec. 1, 1888. 
 

 Greenville in the Long ago. 
 
 THE ORIGIN OF THE GREENVILLE FEMALE COLLEGE. 
 
 Charleston, S. C, May 17, 1887. 
 
 Dear Mrs. Perry: The copy of the Baptist Courier, 
 published at Greenville under date of April 21, 1887, and 
 containing;' the pleasing- allusion to 3^our lamented and dis- 
 tinguished husband have come safely to hand. I have read 
 the article in it, entitled ''Greenville in the Long Ago," and 
 write to thank you for the privilege. I had always been 
 under the impression that the Governor had been largely in- 
 strumental in securing the site for the P'emale College, but 
 never before knew that he had rendered pjofessional service 
 in effecting a transfer of the Academy building to our Baptist 
 friends. It is but another evidence of his large heartedness 
 and catholicity, and I am delighted that the record of his 
 many and unostentatious charities is being made in the 
 public prt^ss. Governor Perry was profound and I feel that 
 too much cannot be said of biw. 
 
 With many thanks for your very kind remembrance, I am 
 dear Mrs. Perry, Respectfully, 
 
 Henry P. Archer. 
 
 (The Baptist Courier, April 21, 1887.) 
 
 (The recent death of Hon. Benjamin F. Perry brings to the recollection of the 
 older citizens of Greenville many of the stirring events of his long and useful life, 
 and among the reminiscences of his public services none deserve more grateful re- 
 cognition than the part borne by him in securing the establishment of the Green- 
 ville Female College, with which his fellow citizens will ever link his name in grate- 
 ful remembrance. As a testimonial of the services rendered, personally and pro- 
 fessionally, for which he refused to accept pecuniary reward, the citizens of Green- 
 ville presented him with n pair of silver pitchers on the 22d of .July, 1858, and the 
 following report of the speeches made on that occasion will furnish tXe reader of 
 to-day with interesting facts connected with the inception of an enterprise now so 
 vigorous and flourishing. The account was publis'^ed in the Patriot and Mouu- 
 tainef r, and is copied from Governor Perry's scrap book. — Eds Courier.) 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 71 
 
 Presentation Address. 
 
 The fol]o\vin<y are the remarks of Dr. Randell Croft, on the 
 occasion of presenting* to Hon. B. F. Perry, in the name of 
 the citizens of Greenville, two costly silver pitchers : 
 
 Maj. Perry : The pleasing task has devolved on me of pre- 
 senting to you these beautiful silver pitchers, as a. small 
 token from your numerous friends and fellow citizens of their 
 high respect for your many public and private virtues, and 
 in appreciation of your distinguished services in the various 
 posts of trust which you have filled for many years past, and 
 also in procui-i ng the legal transfer of the lands of the Green- 
 ville Academies to the State Convention of the Baptist 
 Denomination in South Carolina, for the establishment of 
 the Greenville Baptist Female College. I am proud in 
 being the chosen medium of conveying to you these 
 testimonials of their respect and efeteem. In performing 
 this grateful office of friendship, believe me, sir, when I assure 
 you that 1 not only concur most heartily in the tribute thus 
 offered to your merit, but will always cherish the recollection 
 of it as one of the most pleasing duties I have ever been called 
 on to perform. 
 
 In every field upon which you hav^e entered, your fellow- 
 citizens have witnessed with just pride and satisfaction your, 
 devotion to their best interests, your noble integrity of pur- 
 pose and thorough knowledge of the great questions which' 
 bear on the general weal of the nation. You, sir, have ever 
 been foremost in any and every public-spirited work which 
 has come in your way ; with energy that never tires, and with 
 skill and tact which seldom fails, you have been the Polar 
 star to whom all eyes have been turned in every difficult^^ 
 and in whom all hearts have trusted in every emergency. 
 Deterred by no danger, awed by no presence, and shrinking 
 from no responsibility, you have ever moved as some grand 
 embodiment of power. You have been instrumental in 
 assisting to raise up the noble building in which we now 
 stand, dedicated as it has been to Minerva and the thorough 
 educating of our daughters and sisters; and though there 
 may have been those who conscientiously and honestly 
 
72 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 differed from you, those feelings are now buried and forgotten, 
 and all are pleased to see this noble edifice rearino- its broad 
 frontlet to the sky, like a fairy palaee here upon the swelling 
 hill-top rising up in our midst, and is destined to reflect much 
 light upon the fair daughters of Carolina and her sistei- 
 States. I would not be discharging the duty which 1 feel in- 
 cumbent upon me, were I to neglect mentioning the many 
 valuable and efficient services you have rendered, not only 
 our J::'tate, but our town. Ever alive to all schemes for the 
 advancement of education, you have taken at all times *i 
 lively interest in our Female College, which, under its ablf* 
 and efficient faculty, is scattei-ing broadcast the most per- 
 fect system of female education. 
 
 And perhaps there is no safer nor surer inode of diffusing 
 knowledge and wisdom in a community than by the radical 
 education of its females. Have educated mothers. Theii- 
 influence over their offspring is constant and great. Com- 
 mencing at an early date, her influence is steady and con- 
 tinuous; and being implanted in infancy, is never forgotten 
 or rejected. Of all the blessings to a community, there are 
 none which tend so well to elevate the standard of moral and 
 intellectual worth, as religious and educated mothers. Thus 
 it is a conceded point, that female colleges ai-e of much in- 
 trinsic value to our State and the republic. 
 
 Greenville by her literary institutions has made herself the 
 Athens of Carolina, and from having been a small, quiet vil- 
 lage, is fast expanding into a large and populous town— her 
 streets crowded with commerce, and her academic groves i-e- 
 soundin^ with the teaching of science and the diffusion of 
 truth and knowledge. To no one more than to j^ourself are 
 thanks due for all these literary privileges and blessings. 
 
 Reared and brought up in this community, it has long 
 since known your sterling virtues. You have wrungapplause 
 even from the reluctant, and gained lustre from your rivals. 
 The still but steady intellectual and moral triumphs of your 
 victories are emblazoned on the page of our history. Still 
 vou must not expect to escape attacks which your greatness 
 has invited ; for, "'be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 78 
 
 thou shalt not escape calninnj.'* At the Bar you have not 
 only reached the highest standard of forensic power and 
 mature erudition, but you liave constantly and steadily kept 
 in view the great ends of equity and justice, as of far higher 
 importance than the mere triumphs of the advocate. In the 
 Legislature you have, by a true devotion to the interests of 
 Carolina, aided in enacting many laws of vast importance to 
 the present and future generations. Nay, you have gone 
 further. By your own forecast and wisdom, you have 
 stamped your mark on the age in which we live in characters 
 indelible. You have built for youi-self an enviable reputation. 
 
 In politics always consistent, firm and true to your honest 
 convictions, you have towered far above the ordinary level, 
 and commanded the high respect and admiration of those 
 who differed from you most. You have been ever recognized 
 as the fearless and able champion of truth and justice — the 
 firm and steady friend, the open and generous opponent. In 
 every department of your labors, your charactei* stands forth 
 like some fair Corinthian column — majestic in its strength, 
 just in all its proportions, resting on a base of broad dimen- 
 sions, rising in perfect symmetry, surmounted with a capital 
 of unequaled perfection and beauty, presenting to the eye a 
 specimen of completeness and strength— the just embodiment 
 of the truth that there must be wisdom to devise, strength 
 to support, and beauty to adorn all great and important 
 undertakings. 
 
 I might dwell longer on your valuable services to the cause 
 of education, both in our own district and the State at la rge, 
 but, sir, I am not here to eulogize. Your deeds are on record as 
 a part of your country's history, and your virtues are en- 
 shiined in the grateful hearts of your countrymen. Both 
 shall live long after you have been gathered to your fathers. 
 
 And now, in the name of your friends, allow me to present 
 to you these pitchers, which I know you will keep and hand 
 down to your children as an enduring token of the love and 
 esteem of those who knew you long and well ; and also as a 
 beautiful and lasting memento Of their fathei-'s identification 
 with the cause of female learning and woman's happiness. 
 I have only to add, sir, that along with this slight tribute I 
 
74 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 now, as the organ of your friends, present you, wish to assure 
 you of their continued interest in your welfare, and to convey 
 to you their best wishes for your future happiness and pros- 
 perity, and that they join me in wishingyou health, happiness 
 and political distinction in time, and in eternity endless joys. 
 
 Remarks of Hon. B. F. Perry. 
 
 Dr. Croft : I accept, sir, with mingled emotions of pride and 
 gratitude, the beautiful testimonial of my fellow-citizens of 
 Greenville, so flatteringly tendered by you on the present oc- 
 casion. No event of my professional life has impressed more 
 strongly the feelings of my heart. To know that my services 
 are valued and appreciated is a high consolation, but it is a 
 much higher one to know that I have personally the respect 
 and esteem of those with whom my life has been spent, and 
 to whose service, professionally and politically, its best ener- 
 gies have been dedicated. 
 
 You and 1, sir, were school companions, and an unbroken 
 friendship of thirty-five years has existed between us. To 
 this, sir, and the kindness of your nature and the warmth of 
 your heart, ever alive to friendship and friends, moi-e than to 
 any merit of mine, must be attributed the complimentary 
 terms in which you have seen proper to address me. My life has 
 been an humble one, and my sphere of action very limited, 
 but in my humble and limited way I have endeavored to dis- 
 charge my duty faithfully and fearlessly. This is all the 
 merit I have. Tt is true, the statesman, patriot and hero can 
 claim no higher. 
 
 In procuring the transfer of the Greenville Academies for 
 the endowment of a female (X)llege, my professional services 
 were rendered freely, voluntarily and zealously, without the 
 hope of fee or reward, except that most grateful of all re- 
 wards to an honorable mind — the consciousness of having 
 done a public good. Throughout my exertions to accomp- 
 lish this most laudable purpose, I felt that I was laboring in 
 a noble cause — the cause of female education — whose im- 
 portance you and others here tn-day have so well illustrated 
 in your brief remarks. What greater blessing can society 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 75 
 
 secure than the education of hei- daughters ? It appeals to 
 the heart of every one. 
 
 The transfer of the Greenville Academies was a necessity 
 springing out of the circumstances which surrounded us. 
 Forty years ago, the citizens of (ireenville, then a village 
 composed of a dozen or two stragliug houses and a popula- 
 tion of a hundred and fifty or two hundred persons, deter- 
 mined, with a public spirit and liberality which reflects the 
 highest credit, to have within theii* own little community the 
 means of educating well their sons and daughters. They 
 were unwilling to send abroad their children to be educated. 
 They felt the importance of a child being under the constant 
 care and watchfulness of the parent. They were also in- 
 fluenced by a more unselfish consideration than all this. 
 They were anxious that those who had not the means of 
 sending their sons and daughters from home to be educated 
 should have access to classical schools within their own 
 neighborhood. For this purpose the Earles, Thompsons, 
 Clevelands, Toneys, Blassingames, Sloans, Craytons, and 
 others subscribed most liberally to the erection of two beau- 
 tiful brick Academies in the village of Greenville. Vardry 
 McBee, our worthy and public-spirited patriarch and land- 
 grave who still survives to bless his country with his noble 
 charities and munificent public donations, gave this mag- 
 nificent site, with surroundingacres, for the location of these 
 schools. 
 
 The Academies went into immediate operation, and flour- 
 ished and prospered, disseminating a most benign influence 
 throughout the district. I am gratified to see here, on this 
 occasion, the venerable gentleman. Dr. Johnson, under whose 
 care and management the Female Academy was so long con- 
 ducted with honor to himself and the highest usefulness to 
 his country, and to whom so many of the ladies of the up- 
 country are indebted for a thorough and liberal education. 
 A change came over the people. The spirit of education 
 went abroad, and hundreds and thousands felt its influence 
 who otherwise would have been destitnte of its liberal advan- 
 tages. Our little village grew and prospered, and became 
 a place of fashionable resort in the summer months for the 
 
76 BeDJamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 wealthy and refined planter and merchant of the low coun- 
 try. The commerce of Greenville, its a«:riculture and me- 
 chanic arts kept pace with the profjjress of education. And 
 now, sir, this mountain village ranks as the third town in 
 the State, and next to the capital of the State — two miles in 
 extent, with apopulation of threeorfour thousand persons. (*) 
 
 The establishment of that noble institution in our midst, 
 the Furman University, which is disseminating its influence 
 all over the State, gave a new and hi^rher impetus to the 
 cause of education, and superceded entirely the necessity of 
 the Greenville Male Academy. This induced the enquiry 
 among our citizens as to the propriety of establishing a 
 higher standard of female education in our community, and 
 uniting the two Academies in the endowment of a female 
 college, with liberal contributions in money on the part of 
 the citizens for its support. A town meeting was called to 
 consider the proposition. The ladies became interested in 
 the question, as well they might. They honoi'ed us with 
 their presence at our public meeting, and cheered us on by 
 their smiles and approval. Fighting under such auspices 
 and in such a cause, it is not strange that we were successful. 
 The question then came up in the Board of Trustees of the 
 Academies, and was carried. Every step taken was an ova- 
 tion triumphal. In order to satisfy the consciences of the 
 over scrupulous as to our legal right to i:>ake the transfer, 
 we resorted to the Court of Chancery. Through all its his- 
 tory, this high Court has been the guardian protector of the 
 rights of women and minors. Here again the ladies met us 
 and graced the Court with their presence, and listened with 
 seeming interest to legal arguments on trust and corpora- 
 tions. His Honor, the Chancellor Wardlaw, ordered the 
 transfer to be made. An appeal was taken from his decision. 
 It was argued elaborately before a full Bench of Chancellors. 
 They decided that the Trustees could have made the trans- 
 fer without the aid of the Courts. This was in conformity 
 with the legal opinion I had first given. 
 
 But in orch^r to make assurance doubly sure, we appealed 
 
 (*)NoTK. — III 1888 has a population of between nine and ten thousand 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 77 
 
 to the Leftislature, late in the session and late at night as my 
 friend and colleague, Perry E. Duncan, now present, well knows. 
 The bill passed the House sub silentio. It was a march 
 stolen on the enemy. But in the Senate their agents met it, 
 and it was nobly fought through by our Senator, Col. Brock- 
 man, about 12 o'clock, who then retired to sleep on his laurels. 
 We had now to carry the question in the Baptist State Con- 
 vention, or all was lost. Here once more we were indebted 
 to the influence of the ladies. They came to the discussion. 
 During its progress, they influenced those who came to op- 
 pose to become its warmest advocates. They pointed out 
 the beautiful location to the members, commanding a magni- 
 ficent view of the mountains and over-looking the village. 
 They spoke of the value of the property, the liberal sub- 
 scriptions of their husbands and brothers, and its great im- 
 portance to the community. All they asked was for the Con- 
 vention to take charge of the valuable property and manage 
 it for the education of their daughters. The transfer was 
 m a d e i\ n d accepted . 
 
 Now, sir, I appeal to the opponents of that measure, 
 whether all that was predicted throughout thediscussion has 
 not been realized? What was then said at our public meet- 
 ings and in our Courts as prophecy has now become the 
 truth of history. The mothers here present and their fair 
 daughters can rise up as witnesses for me. This beautiful 
 structure, classic in all its proi)ortions, dedicated as you 
 have said to Minerva, at once the pride of our village and 
 the ornament of the place, bears me witness. An able and 
 learned corps of professors in every branch of female educa- 
 tion, one which would do honor to any similar institution in 
 the United States, is my best witness. The compositions 
 read in our hearing to-day from the graduates would not 
 only do credit to the graduating pupils of any college, male 
 or female, but would do no discreditto thelearned professors 
 of those colleges for thought, taste or sentiment. Young 
 ladies are sent here from every part of the country to be 
 educated. Gentlemen with their families are settling here on 
 account of our colleges, adding to the interest and pleasure 
 of our society, and contributing their wealth to the growth 
 
78 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 and prosperity of our town. The merchants, mechanics, 
 farmers and boarding-house keepers are all reaping the rich 
 fruits of their attraction, whilst our children are blessed to 
 bless others with the great principles of learning, education 
 and science 
 
 The most sanguine hopes of our citizens have been realized, 
 and the (ireenville Female College is established beyond con- 
 tingency. Our beautiful village, with its noble scenery, fine 
 climate, railroad facilities, and abundant surrounding 
 agricultural products, will continue to attract hither the 
 wealth and refinement of the country throughout its length 
 and breadth. All are impressed with the importance of 
 female education. Woman is recognized as the intellectual 
 companion of man, and should be his co-equal in education. 
 The influence of woman on society is more deeply felt than 
 that of man. To her belongs the training of the child for 
 good or evil, which he never forgets in after life. From the 
 mother the son receives his early religious principles, his 
 virtue, his sense of honor and propriety. Virginia's great 
 orator and statesman, John Randolph of Roanoke, erratic 
 in everything, once said, most beautifully and feelingly, that 
 he would have been an infidel but for the remembrance of his 
 mother's taking his little hands between hers in childhood 
 and making him repeat every night before going to bed the 
 Lord's Pj'ayer. 
 
 If we will examine into history, we shall find that great 
 men have always had great mothers. The mother of Lord 
 Bacon, styled by the poet the greatest and wisest of man- 
 kind, was a woman pre-eminent for her intellectual endow- 
 ments The mother of Napoleon, whose genius over- 
 shadowed that of all others in ancient or modern times, was 
 a most remarkable woman. Washington's mother was 
 worthy of her illustrious son, and a higher compliment no 
 woman can receive. So were the mothers of Jefferson, 
 Adams, Clay, Calhoun and Webster. 
 
 In many of the higher qualities of our nature woman is 
 superior to man. She possesses in an eminent degree that 
 wisdom of the heart which never errs, and always brings her 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 79 
 
 to conclusions correct where man's reason and judgment may 
 faH him. 
 
 There is one error in female education which is radical and 
 pernicious, and should be corrected. Our sons never complete 
 theii* education before they areneargrown, twenty or twenty- 
 one years old. How is it then possible for our daughters to 
 be educated by the time they are fifteen or sixteen? Whilst 
 such a course is pursued their education must be superficial. 
 It is impossible for their young and tender minds to be 
 thoroughly taught, and their education complete at such an 
 age. When they quit school at nineteen and twenty, they 
 will find that they have only laid the foundation of a good 
 education, and its superstructure has yet to be built. 
 
 Happiness is the desire of all, and I know all are anxious 
 to commence its early pursuit in this wide world. Let me 
 here tell my young friends that they must search for it not 
 only at home but within themselves, or they will never find 
 it. God in His infinite wisdom, goodness and mercy, has 
 ordained that happiness shall belong to no class, rank or 
 position in society. Honor, wealth and distinction cannot 
 give it. Nor is poverty, obscurity or humility a barrier to 
 its possession: VVe must look to the heart, the mind, educa- 
 tion and temperament, for happiness — nowhere else. 
 
 In conclusion, sir, let me return through you, to my fellow- 
 citizens of Greenville, my most grateful thanks for their 
 valued and unexpected present. Tell them, sir, that their 
 kindness has filled my heart with feelings to which I cannot 
 give utterance. Say to them that these costly pitchers, v>'ith 
 their honoiing inscription, are valued above all price, and 
 shall be treasured with my life and honor. They shall 
 descend to my children and to my children's children, to in- 
 spire their hearts with those feelings of respect and af- 
 fection which I have always felt toward the people of Green- 
 ville. All that I am, all that I ever expect to be, I owe to 
 their kindness and generous support, politically and profes- 
 sionally. In the darkest period of my life, amidst cruel abuse 
 heaped on me for sustaining and defending the cherished po- 
 litical sentiments of the great heart of Washington and his 
 dying legacy to his countryjaien, they rallied around me and 
 
80 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 g:ave me their entire confidence. And here I say, in their de- 
 fence and in my defence, that my heart neverfelt nor ray mind 
 never conceived a feeling- or sentiment towards my country 
 which was not in accordance with every act and every word 
 of the great Pater Patria. Brought up in the political school 
 of Washington, I have made war against sectionalism all 
 my life, as destructive of the best interests of the Republic, 
 whilst I have defended with equal zeal the Federal Constitu- 
 tion, the rights of the States, and the true interests of the 
 South. In my fidelity to the Union, I have not loved less but 
 more the State whicli gave me birth and is my home. To 
 her my first allegiance is due ; but far above this feeling and 
 stronger than this tie, is my love and devotion to Greenville, 
 her people, her institutions, her mountains, W[\^ everything 
 that is hers. 
 
 ^i^m^ 
 
w^mfmwm^^^mw^m^^m^' 
 
 SPEECH 
 
 tlie Merchants, Mechanics and Business Men of Columbia, December U, 1853, 
 
 By HON. B. F. PERRY, of Greenville, S. C. 
 
 Fellow-Citizens: It is with ^reat pleasure that I appear 
 before you this evening to address the mechanics, merchants 
 and business men of Cohimbia on a subject of so much im- 
 portance, and so deeply interesting to all of us, as that of 
 Popular E]ducation. Your kind invitation yesterday morn- 
 ing, and the manifestations of regard which you have given 
 me, have found a lodgment in my heart which neither time 
 nor circumstances can displace. I regret, fellow-citizens, that 
 the short notice g^iven me, and my legislative duties since, 
 have prevented me making that preparation which my re- 
 spect for you and the importance of the subject demand. 
 But such as I have I give unto you. 
 
 Every one who loves his country, and every one who loves 
 his fellow-man, should feel and take a deep interest in popu- 
 lar education. What can give the heart of the patriot and 
 philanthropist more real gratification than to see his fellow- 
 man placed in a condition where he may acquire knowledge 
 and virtue, religion and happiness and prosperity? Can any 
 one be insensible to those means which are to elevate and dig- 
 nify the human mind, which are calculated to raise the hum- 
 ble and lowly from vice to virtue and from ignorance to 
 knowledge. 
 
 On popular education depends the stability and contin- 
 uance of our Republican institutions. No people can sustain 
 a Republic who have not virtue and intelligence. All history 
 proves the truth of this assertion. Look at Mexico, in a 
 constant state of revolution and despotism, and all the time 
 struggling for a Republican form of government. Not one 
 man in one hundred of that unfortunate people can read and 
 
82. Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 write. So rare is the capacity to write, that one meets in the 
 streets of Mexico professional letter writers, with ink and 
 pen, ready to be employed by the thousands who are unedu- 
 cated and who may wish to correspond with a friend or a 
 sweetheart. Look at France, with all of her science and lit- 
 erature, but still without popular education, pulling- down 
 her Republican form of government as soon as it is estab- 
 lished ! 
 
 Some years ago, when Louis Philippe was hurled from his 
 throne and the French Republic established on its ruins, I 
 congratulated the cause of human libarty and R:^publicanism 
 on the establishment of a popular government in the centre 
 of Europe, surrounded by kings and emperors. I thought 
 the people of France capable of self-government, from the 
 fact that their landed estates were divided into the smallest 
 farms imaginable. I thought this would give the people an 
 interest in government which would secure and perpetuate 
 the Republic. But I did not reflect on the want of popular 
 education in France. The great masses of people there are 
 still unable to read and write, notwithstanding the science 
 and literature of the chosen few. 
 
 In ancient (jreece there was very little education amongst 
 the masses, and the powers of government were in the hands 
 of the educated few. Athens was a republic only in name. 
 The people were governed absolutely and despotically, though 
 voluntarily, by their oratoi's and great men. In no country 
 in the world, perhaps, liad an oi'ator more complete control 
 of the uiasses than in Athens. He moved them and swayed 
 them at his will. They came to hear him to get information, 
 and in their ignorance were unable to controvert anything 
 he said or did. How different it is in modern times, and 
 ^^specially in these United States, where popular education is 
 so general. Here the orator addresses those on the same 
 platform of knowledge as himself. The audience are his 
 equals in education, in knowledge and in thought. The views 
 he may express are the same views which have occurred to 
 hundreds whom he is addressing. 
 
 In Rome there was more of popular education than in 
 GrecHte, and more of self-government during the existence of 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 8S 
 
 the Republic. But still, education was not general, as it is 
 in modern times ; and necessarily could not be, whilst the 
 art of printi no; was u nkno \vn to the world . Books were scarce 
 and costly whilst in manuscript. It was a labor to make a 
 single copy of a history or philosophical work. Thanks to 
 the art of pi-inting, this is no longer the case. And a free 
 press, whilst it dissemminates knowledge and information, 
 has become one of the great bulwarks of liberty and virtue. 
 But a servile and slavish press, the mouth-piece of cliques 
 and parties, is one of the greatest curses which can be inflicted 
 on any country. 
 
 In the dark ages which ensued the fall of the Roman Em- 
 pire, all the learning and education of the world were con- 
 fined to the clergy. They, too, had all the power and politi- 
 cal influence of Europe in their hands, showing that educa- 
 tion and political power are inseparable. The kings and 
 princes of Europe were, in the dark ages, under the control 
 and influence of the educated priesthood. At the will of the 
 Pope they were dethroned and made beggars in their own do- 
 minions! They were ignorant and so were their nobility. 
 Reading and writing were rare qualities amongst sovereigns 
 and lords. They had seals for the purpose of affixing their 
 signatures to deeds and grants I 
 
 But, fellow-citizens, a great change has come over the world 
 since those days. The tyranny and despotism of Europe 
 have, in a great measure, been dispelled by popular educa- 
 tion. As the human mind has been enlightened, the shackles 
 of despotism have fallen from the hands of the people. All 
 the governments of Europe have become freer and more lib- 
 eralized, and the people have become more educated and more 
 intelligent. In this respect the United States are peculiarly 
 blessed, and have been since the first settlement of the Cohi- 
 nies. 
 
 The Pilgrims of Massachusetts were educated. They could 
 read and write. Their education caused them to feel deeply 
 their religious aiid political oppressions. Their minds were 
 elevated, and they had imbibed a spirit and energy which 
 forced them to leave their homes and their country and kin- 
 dred, and seek a habitation in a howling wilderness rather 
 
84 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 than submit their necka to the iron heel of the oppressor. 
 They believed it to be their sacred duty to teach every one to 
 read the Word of God. Popular education was thus handed 
 down from sire to son amidst the descendants of the Pilgrim 
 Fathers. Its effects and consequences are now blessin<>: all 
 New England with religion, morality, literature, science, re- 
 publicanism, wealth and prosperity. 
 
 The Roundheads and Cavaliers of Virginia also brought 
 with them a love of popular education and a love of lib- 
 erty which nothing has or can depress. So it was 
 with the first settlers of South Carolina. Shortly af- 
 terwards came the Huguenots, who were French artisans 
 and mechanics. They wereeducated and with their education 
 had imbibed a spirit of freedom and a love of religious toler- 
 ation. From these mechanics have descended many of the 
 first families of South Carolina. 
 
 But, fellow-citizens, look these United States over and ask 
 yourselves what this popular education, this half-education, 
 the scorn of some, has done for the country, and the great 
 men of the country. George Washington was no graduate 
 of a college, and there was nothing thorough in his educa- 
 tion. He had recteived only the common rudiments of an 
 English education— such as the common boys of the country 
 now receive at the commonest schools of the country. He 
 was a good surveyor and wrote afair and legible hand. With 
 this small capital in the way of education to commence with, 
 he improved himself and rose to an elevation, in moral great- 
 ness, which no other man in the world ever did possess. He 
 established a republic and achieved the independence of his 
 country. Long may this great and gloiious confederacy of 
 sovereign and independent States endure as the monument 
 of his virtue, wisdom and patriotism I 
 
 Dr. P^'ranklin was another of those half-educated boys, who 
 some would have us believe are rendered vicious and idle by 
 a little school instruction. He was the son of a poor tallow 
 chandler, and to say that he was half-educated is saying 
 more than was true. He could read and write and cypher a 
 little, and that was the extent of his education. But with 
 this little smattering of knowledge, what did he do? He was 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 85 
 
 -X 
 
 a printer's boy, and whilst others were idling!,* away their 
 time, he was nsinp; these' implements, obtained at a common 
 school, to unlock the whole range of science and make him-, 
 self the most illustrious philosopher of his age! He became 
 the friend of the great and the learned and the companion of 
 nobles, princes and kings! His discoveries and inventions 
 were the admiration of the world, and have proved him one 
 of thegreatest benefactors of mankind ! What could he have 
 been without the little education he received in childhood? 
 Perhaps a &ood tallow chandler, though possibly a vicious 
 and wicked man and a nuisance to society, instead of a pa- 
 triot statesman, philosopher and philanthropist! 
 
 In passing through the upper part of the State some years 
 since, I met an old lady, Mrs. Stephenson, who had been the 
 school companion of Oeneral Jackson. She told me an inci- 
 dent in his life that I never knew before, but* which 1 have 
 since seen stated by his biographer. When a boy he worked 
 at the saddler's trade, near the Waxahaw's, in Lancaster 
 Distri{tt, with a man by the name of White. His education 
 consisted of a knowledge to read and write and cypher. But 
 with this little learning, he made his way to the Presidency 
 of the United States, and became the most popular Chief 
 Magistrate since the administration of Washington. 
 
 Alexander Hamilton, perhaps the greatest intellect the 
 United States ever produced, quit school at thirteen, with 
 only the rudiments of a common English education. Clay, 
 the greatest and most accomplished of American orators, 
 had nothing more than a common popular school education. 
 General Green was a blacksmith and received his whole edu- 
 <;ation in the common schools of Rhode Island. But, having 
 been taught to read and write, he procured books and im- 
 proved his mind. He became a w^ell informed man, and 
 ranked, as a General, next to W' ashington. He reconquered 
 South Carolina and restored herto the American Confederacy. 
 Roger Sherman, one of the greatest men of the old Congress, 
 was a shoemaker. Patrick Henry had very little education, 
 yet lie had enough to shake the throne of Great Britain to 
 its centre and infuse into the minds of the American people 
 
86 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 the seeds of a revolution which establisherl their indepen- 
 dence ! 
 
 But one of the most remarkable instances of self-education 
 in tlie United States is that of the present Governor of Ten- 
 nessee. He was married early in life and his wife tau,2:ht him 
 to write after their marriage. He was a tailor, and traveled 
 vith his wife on foot from North Carolina, where he was born, 
 into Tennessee. There he established himself as atailor and 
 for many years cairied on his trade. Whilst a member of 
 Congress he still kept his shop. He is now Governor of Ten- 
 nessee! (*) 
 
 I might mention very many of the greatest names of Eu- 
 rope, whose education was not superior to those I have al- 
 ready named. Shakspeare himself was of that class. Ben 
 Johnson was a bricklayer. Burns, tlie great poet of Scot- 
 land, who sung to the human heart as no other poet ever 
 did sing, was a ploughman and a common laborer— and but 
 for his little schooling the world would now be without his 
 poems! 
 
 Napoleon Bonaparte himself was no classical scholar or 
 college graduate. He was the student of a military school, 
 and was thoroughly taught the s(*ience of war as it was then 
 understood. But he was thorough in nothing else. Yet he 
 became, in the strength of his power and glory, the destroyer 
 of the thrones and crowns of all continental Europe. Kings 
 and Emperors were his playthings, and he moved them at his 
 will, as if they had been on a chess board. Many of his field 
 marshals had still less of education. 
 
 What is education, thorough oi* partial, but the means of 
 opening to the human mind, the vast treasuresof science and 
 learning? Education is like a mechanic's tools. It is the in- 
 strument with which he acquires knowledge, power, wealth and 
 happiness. A poor education may be likened to a poor axe, 
 which requires harder blows and more of them, to cut down 
 a forest tree. Still it is better to have a. dull axe than none 
 at all. But 1 am told a little learning is a danjrerous thing! 
 How can that be? There never was a greater falsehood per- 
 
 (*)NoTE. — Andrew .Tohnson, afterwardB President of the Unitc'd Stat.e8. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 87 
 
 petratod than i8 oontained in this quaint saying. Is a little 
 religion worse than no relio^ion at all? Is a little charity 
 worse than none? Is a little money worse than no money? 
 Who ever heard of such a monstrous proposition ? No, fel- 
 low-citizens, it is certainly best to ha.ve a thorough educa- 
 tion, but it is much better to have a smattering than none 
 at alL : ; 
 
 We are so constituted by an all-wise God that we must 
 have employment. Man cannot be idle. If not properly em- 
 ployed, he will be idly or viciously em ployed. Thedandy has 
 his employments as well as the mechanic. The fashionable 
 lady who spends three or four hours every day at her toilette, 
 is perhaps as constantly employed as the housewife who su- 
 perintends her domestic affairs. Nor can we always be em- 
 ployed at the same pursuit. Variety is said to be the spice 
 of life. So it is with the mechanic, the laborer, the law- 
 yer, merchant and doctoi*. We all require relaxation. 
 When the mechanic is tired of his labor he may seek and en- 
 joy rest with a good book in his hand. In this way he im- 
 proves his mind and his heart, and elevates himself by his 
 recreation. But suppose he is without education and does 
 not know how to read and write? He will have to seek 
 amusement in some other way than by resorting to books. 
 Perhaps he will indulge in some wicked sport. 
 
 But how inestimable is the value of knowing how to read 
 and write, when the humblest man goes from home or moves 
 into a strange land, and desires to correspond with his 
 friends and relations. Is not a little learning, then, of value, 
 and to be prized as contributing to the happiness of life? 
 What would the condition of the mechanic be without the 
 ability of keeping his accounts and making his calculations 
 in regard to his trade? Popular education is properly 
 attainable in four places, and all four are, in some measure, 
 absolutely necessary to education in a republic. The school 
 house, the church, the ballot-box and the court house. At 
 school the boy learns to read and write. This puts the key of 
 knowledge into his hands. With it he unlocks the treasures 
 of philosophy and sciences and history. His intellectual 
 faculties are expanded and his mind enlarged. At church he 
 
88 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 becomes acquainted with the worship of his God, and his 
 heart is improved and filled with the holy precepts of re- 
 lijj-ion. In the exercise of the elective franchise he practises 
 the duties of a republican citizen. He is made to think of 
 politics and political questions, and inform himself in re- 
 ference to them. They who would depi-ive the people of the 
 right of electing" their legislators and chief magistrates are 
 unwilling to acknowledge the right of the people, or the 
 ability of the people to govern themselves. Our members of 
 the Legislature now think it is better for them to exercise 
 the right of voting for Presidential electors, and that the ex- 
 ercise of this popular and constitutional right on the pai-t of 
 the people would be mischievous! They don't think it will 
 do for the people to have so important an election as this in 
 their hands. They are willing to dole out to them the minor 
 elections, such as clerks, sheriffs and tax collectors. This is 
 about the grade of their capacity ! Rut it would never do for 
 them to vote for President and Vice-President. 
 
 The other source of popular education is the court house, 
 where the citizen meets and hears the laws of his country ex- 
 pounded and enforced, where he sits on juries and hears cases 
 argued and illustrated. As a juror, he is a part of the gov- 
 ernment. This fits him for the exercise of popular rights. 
 The trial by jury and the administration of justice according 
 to the common law, is agreat prop in republican government. 
 
 Education is of so much importance in a republican gov- 
 ernment that it is the absolute duty of the commonwealth to 
 educate her sons. It is a duty that never should be neglected 
 by the State. No matter what the cost may be, it should be 
 performed faithfully and sacredly. This New England has 
 done by means of her free schools. Rarely, indeed, can a 
 citizen of those States be found who is not able to read and 
 write. The whole country is divided into townships, and 
 each township, has a free school in its centre. 
 
 The State of South Carolina has done much towards the 
 education of her citizens, but I am afraid it has not been pro- 
 ductive of as much good as it ought to have aiven to the 
 country. For more than fifty years past an appropriation 
 of twenty or thirty thousand dollars has been annually made 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 89 
 
 for the support of the South Carolina Collea^e. Thirty or 
 forty thousand dollars have likewise been appropriated every 
 year for the education of the poor. This fund ought to have 
 been distributed according to white population, and not in 
 proportion to taxation and white population. In many of 
 the Districts it is thought that the appropriation is not pro- 
 ductive of as much good as it might be, in consequence of 
 mismanagement. 
 
 It has been said by those opposed to popular education, 
 that the State has no right to interfere with the education of 
 the people! This would defeat the appropriation for thesup- 
 ])ort of the college. Surely, if the State can appropriate 
 money and interfere for the education of the sons of the 
 rich, she may do as much for the sons of the poor. 
 
 The South Carolina College is a noble institution. It 
 affords the means of educating our sons at home, instead of 
 sending them abroad, which would be a constant drain upon 
 the State. It is proper, too, that .>oung men should be 
 educated where they expect to live. 
 
 The whole State ought to be divided into townships, as the 
 New England States are, and in the centre of each township 
 there should be a school free for all children, rich or poor. 
 This school should be supported by the State, and then we 
 should have free schools, and all would be educated. In 
 towns and villages education is more easy, inasmuch jas the 
 children are more thrown together. 
 
 The wealthy have a deep interest in the education of the 
 poor, if education tends to make the citizen wiser and more 
 virtuous. It is something, and a very high consideration, 
 for the possessor of wealth to know that his property is in 
 the midst of a peaceable and virtuous community. 
 
 In conclusion, fellow-citizens, I will notice 'an opinion which 
 prevails with some in South Carolina, as degrading and in- 
 sulting to labor and the laboring classes as it is false to 
 liberty and republicanism. This opinion has found favor in 
 high places, and has been inculcated and enforced with talent 
 and learning by some of the aristocratic few who are able to 
 live without labor. It is said that education, and thorough 
 education, is necessary to republicanism, but that they who 
 
90 Benjamin Franklin Perry, 
 
 labor have no time foi- edncatioii and reading, and therefore 
 cannot be educated, and consequently ought not to exercise 
 the rights, and privileges, and duties of a republican citizen. 
 Reference ha^ been made to the Athenian Republic, where, 
 according to Lord Brougham, in his Political Philosophy, 
 there were three hundred thousand slaves, and only thirty 
 thousand freemen. Hence, it is contended that slavery is neces- 
 ,sary to republicanism, in order to afford the laboring classes 
 who ought to be excluded from republicanism, and who are 
 unfit to exercise the rights which belong to a republican 
 citizen. 
 
 Such doctrines, in my humble judgment, are insulting to 
 public opinion, founded in an utter ignorance of the whole 
 subject of labor and education, and tending to t^'ranny 
 over the laboring classes, disfranchising them and making 
 them serfs and slaves! I deny that labor is inconsistent 
 with education. I have already shown that they who have 
 labored at the plough, in the blacksmith shop, as shoemakers, 
 saddlers and bricklayers, printers and surveyors of lands, 
 have been amongst the most distinguished poets, statesmen, 
 philosophers, orators, patriots and warriors that the world 
 ever produced, from its creation to the present day. I am 
 now prepared to show that every laborer, whether in the 
 field or in the uiechanic's shop, has abundant time to read 
 and improve his mind ; and if he has beentaughtto read and 
 write in his infancy, he is very apt to do so in a greater or 
 less degree. No one does labor or should labor more than 
 ten or twelve hours in twenty-four; very few labor so much. 
 It is not necessary that anyone should, for his support. No 
 one need sleep more than seven hours. This leaves five, or 
 six, or seven hours for recreation and reading to every labor- 
 ing man in the community. There is also one day in seven 
 when no man works, in a civilized and Christian community. 
 A portion of that day, after our religious duties in church 
 and elsewhere are performed, may be devoted to the improve- 
 ment of the mind by reading good books. Independent of 
 all this, there is weather, and times, and occasions when the 
 laborer in dooi-s and out of doors is prevented i)insuing his 
 daily vocation. All of this time, or a portion of it, at least, 
 
Benjmnin Franklin Perry. 91 
 
 may be devoted to reading- and education, and the improve- 
 ment of the mind. The plouf>hman may read while his horse 
 is eatino*, and the mechanic whilst he is resting from his labor, 
 or waiting for it to commence. 
 
 Although they had slaves in Athens, and although they 
 have slaves in the Southern States, yet there were fi-ee men 
 in Athens, and there are free men in tue Southern States, who 
 have to labor for their daily bread, and who have shown 
 themselves as fit to exercise the rights of republicanism, as 
 the idle drones of society, who are consumers without being- 
 producers. From my knowledge of mankind,! would unhes- 
 itatingly rely sooner on the judgment of an educated me- 
 chanic or laborer in the affairs of State, than on one of these 
 educated non-laborers. If I wei-e called upon to deny the 
 rights of republicanism to the one or the other, it should be 
 to the idle, and not to the industrious. 
 
 In the Northern States and in the Northwestern States, and 
 in a majority of the States of this Union where slavery does 
 not exist, they have as much republicanisn^ as we have in 
 South Carolina, and have shown themst^lves as fit toexercise 
 all the rights of republican citizens as South Carolinians. 
 Their State constitutions, their laws, regulations and insti- 
 tutions prove their republicanism. Their wealth, their pros- 
 ])erity, their popular education, their free school system, their 
 literature and general intelligence, their success in all the arts 
 and sciences, and mechanic branches of industry, illustrate 
 the virtue and wisdom of their republican system of govern- 
 ment, and show that labor is not antagonistic to eduf;ation 
 and republicanism. 
 
 In parting with you, fellow-citizens, let me urge on the me- 
 chanics and business men of Columbia the propriety of estab- 
 lishing literary societies amongst you, where all who desire 
 may have books to read. Although books are very cheap, 
 yet few of us are able to purchase all that we may desire to 
 read. Never forget that you are freemen, that you are re- 
 publican citizens, as well as Christian men, and thatyouhave 
 a duty to perform to the republic, as well as to your God, 
 and to vour families. Farewell. 
 
»*^«l^^ 
 
 GOVERNOR B. F, PERRY, OF SOUTH CAROLINA. 
 
 (This cominunication from Rev. Dr. H. Melville Jackson, of Grace (llhiirch, Kich- 
 
 mond, Va.. was received too late to occupy itK proper place 
 
 in this Tribute to his friend.) 
 
 (Southern Churchman, Richmond. Va.. Dec. 20, 1888.) 
 
 This remarkable man and eminent statesman, who but a 
 short time a.go brought to its close a long and useful life, is, 
 perhaps, owing to the privacy and seclusion in which he 
 spent the closing years of his life, but little known to the 
 younger men of the present generation. 
 
 And yet there are few men of our times whose lives are so 
 well worth the knowing. The sterling integrity and strength 
 of character, the firm adherence to principles, the undaunted 
 courage of conviction, the manliness and self-restraint which 
 he constantly displayed through stormy and turbulent times, 
 constitute him a worthy exemplar of youth. 
 
 The recent publication of his Speeches, Addresses and 
 Sketches of Eminent Men (*) is the occasion of this paper. 
 That publication is itself a graceful tribute to his memory 
 by his wife, the noble helpmeet of a noble man, who has cho- 
 sen the best products of his thought and pen, and given them 
 to the^ world with the proud conviction that they establish 
 his title to remembrance and fame. 
 
 The speeches which this .volume contains are of great value 
 to the historian and the student of the period in which they 
 were delivered. Governor Perry occupied a unique position 
 as the leader of the Union party in South Carolina, the po- 
 litical opponent of Calhoun, and the unwavering antagonist 
 of the nullification and secession doctrines which resulted in 
 civil war. As early as 1831, then a young man but twenty- 
 
 • (*) Biographical Sketches of Eminent American Statesmen, with Speeches, Ad- 
 dresses and Letters, by ex-Governor B. F. Perry, of Greenville, S. €. For sale in 
 Richmond by West, Johnston & Co. 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 9S 
 
 8ix years of aj2:e, he foresaw the end, gave evidence of his trulv 
 wonderful political foresio;ht, and be^an his predictions of 
 coming events, which fell unheeded by the excited, exaspera- 
 ted and ebullient men of his time. In his P'oui'th of July 
 oration delivered in that year, remarkable for its maturity 
 of thought in one so young, he pointed out the evils which 
 would follow upon a dismemberment of the Union, and de- 
 clared that he was unwilling "on any account toputin jeop- 
 ardy this Union, this government, our independence and our 
 name as a people." This declaration is the keynote of his 
 career, and consistently through his whole life he fought the 
 spirit of disunion with a stubborn gallantry, with apolitical 
 sagacity, and with a noble forgetful ness of self which distin- 
 guish him among eminent compeers as a great and good 
 man. One cannot avoid speculating how differently history 
 might have been written if his generation had but listened to 
 the powerful and pathetic pleading of which these speeches 
 are full, and had been guided by the wisdom which time has 
 so amply justified. 
 
 We are accustomed to look in the annals of war for our ex- 
 emplars of heroic conduct, and we are justified in this, if phy- 
 sical courage is to be rated higher than moral. But who 
 does not know that moral courage is the quality which lifts 
 heroism out of the animal and into the intellectual life and 
 endows it with all the splendid attributes of the soul? 
 
 The man who is content to be maligned, misunderstood, 
 hissed, scorned, jeered, scoffed for truth's sake, for the sake 
 of his principles, is, after a.ll. a nobler man and a grander 
 hero than the defenders of ^he pass of Thermopylae. A Lu- 
 ther calmly facing an angry council with the memorable ut- 
 terance: "One with God is a majority" is a nobler figure 
 than the trained gladiator of the circus whose courage is 
 shared, and perhaps surpassed, by the brutes. It is always 
 so easy to hedge and trim. It is always so easy to say tlie 
 many are probably right. But the spectacle is superbly in- 
 spiring when a man who has reached a settled conviction of 
 the right stands for it against his enemies, and, harder still. 
 against his friends ; stands for it through the weary years, 
 contesting the tide of popular opinion, and volnntaril\ sac- 
 
94 Benjaniin Friinklin Ferry. 
 
 rifioino- his popularity, hope of preferment — political or other 
 and the cherished ambitions of a lifetime upon its altar. 
 Such a spectacle does the life of Governor Perry afford us. 
 it is not for us to question whether he was ri<>ht and th(^ 
 many were wrong. It suffices to recognize in his career fi 
 man who stood for his convictions with a stalwart consis- 
 tency and rigid firmness, which neither seductive persuasion, 
 the alienation of friends, the hisses of the rabble, the sense of 
 isolation, nor the tremendous influence of popular furore and 
 clamor could shake for an instant. I call this a valuable 
 moral lesson, valuable to the 3'oung men of these times, and 
 the life which contained and embodied it is worthy of all 
 honor and remembrance. 
 
 Of his speech delivered before the South Carolina House of 
 Representatives in 1850, in opposition to disunion, he said : 
 '• I leave it as a legacy to my country and to my children ;" 
 and when it is remembered that he stood all but alone in that 
 body advocating measures the most unpopular, and with his 
 one arm endeavoring to stay the rush of a whole people, it 
 snust be confessed that no nobler heritas:e can man transmit. 
 His sons can receive it at his hands as the attestation of 
 the courage, fidelity and integrity of their sire. 
 
 It is not my purpose, nor have we the space, to analyze 
 the speeches which this volume contains, or even to quote 
 from them. They are the utterances of a man versed in 
 ])olitical affairs, of which he was a profound student. Those 
 which are literary in character show a wide acquaintance 
 with the world of letters. They abound with elegant and in- 
 structive thoughts, expressed in choice language, often 
 eloquent, but severe in its classic simplicity. While there are 
 ])assages in these speeches which in rhetorical grace and dic- 
 tion, purity of style and cogency of thought may he truly 
 styled eloquent; yet it is quite evident that his eloquence 
 consisted rather in the tretnendous moral earnestness of the 
 man than in the arts of the rhetorician and the declaimer. 
 
 But we have left to ourselves too little space in which to 
 speak of what, to the general reader, is the most interesting 
 ]K)rtion of this book. 'The Sketches of Eminent Men,'' 
 wdiich compose a principal part of the volume, have, indeed. 
 
Benjiunui Fninklin Perry. 95 
 
 great literary merit. Almost every man prominent in Ameri- 
 can life is delineated in these pao;;es with an accuracy of touch, 
 a V)oldness of outline and a faithfulness of portraiture which 
 leaves scarcely an.y thing to be desired. The Sketches are 
 enriched with a copious fund of anecdote, which lends its 
 peculiar charm to the narration of facts, and leads the read- 
 er on, only to leave him at the end with the regret that there 
 is no more. Otis and Pinckney and Crawford, Washington, 
 Adams and Jefferson, Henry, Webster, Randolph and Choate, 
 and many others distinguished in politics, in science, at the 
 bar and on the bench are introduced to us in detail and made 
 to us familiar personages in the history of our country. We 
 cannot avoid expressing the opinion that it were better to 
 have published these Sketches in a separate volume as a con- 
 venient handbook of American biography, in which form they 
 would, no doubt, have attained a wider popularity. 
 
 And now this brief review must be brought to a close. It 
 is at the dictate of a warm, personal affection and regard for 
 him whose literary remains are enshrined in this volume that 
 I have ventured to write. If anything I have written shall 
 seem strained or exaggerated, let it be set down to the hi^h 
 admiration I entertain for one of whom I have said elsewhere 
 that he comes nearer to my ideal of a public man— a man of 
 affairs— than any othei* I have known. 
 
 H. Melville Jackson 
 
 mm 
 
96 Benjamin Franklin Perrj. 
 
 Office of Wkst, Johnston & Co., 
 
 Richmond, Va., Jan. 8, 1889. 
 Mrs. B. F. Pkrrv, Grconville, S. C. 
 
 De.\r M.\dam : Thinking it may be some satisfaction to you, and perhaps useful 
 in disposing- of your book, we enclose a letter ret*eived by us to-day, from a gentle- 
 man to whom we had sold a copy of your book. 
 
 Very respectfully, etc., 
 
 West, Johnston & Co. 
 
 Kabletovvn, Jefferson Co., W. Va., Jan. 4, 1889. 
 West, Johnston & Co., Richmond, Va., 
 
 G?:ntlemen : I was the recipient, by the mail of last even- 
 in^-, of your letter of the 1st inst., accompanied by the vol- 
 ume containing the sketches of ex-Governor B. F. Perry, of 
 South Carolina. It is unnecessary for me to comment upon 
 the extraordinary ability, patriotism, courage and devotion 
 to his convictions, which resulted from his deliberate and 
 dispassionate consideration of the momentous issues with 
 which he was confronted ; and stood almost solitary and 
 alone during the most stormy, critical and trying period of 
 our national existence. 
 
 1 cheerfully send a registered letter for two dollars, as it is 
 difficult to send sixty-nine cents in change. In acknowledg- 
 ing the payment, you may send the change due me in stamps. 
 
 The volume is remarkably cheap, and I hope to be the 
 means of enabling you to sell other copies as soon as I have 
 an opportunity af exhibiting it to my neighbors. 
 
 In conclusion, I have no prefix or title to my name. Am a 
 farmer of humble pretensions. Without appearing vain (I 
 hope), I will add it has been my lot to fill quite a number of 
 responsible positions within the States of Virginia and West 
 Virginia. Was a Union member of the Virginia convention 
 in 1871 ; recollect distinctly the trials Governor Perry under- 
 went in opposing nullification and secession. 
 Very truly yours, etc., 
 
 Logan Osburn. 
 
EXTRACTS 
 
 Letters of Covernor Perrf to His Wife, Tiiirt|-Nine years Up. 
 
 (The speech alluded to in thi8 extra(;t i« the great one delivered hy Governor Pen 
 in the South Carolina Legislature, in 1850, and left by him as a "legacy to hin 
 country and his children," and published in " Biographical Sketches, 
 of Eminent American Statesmen, Speeches, Addresses," etc.) 
 
 Columbia. S. C, Dec. 12, 1850. 
 
 ****** Yesterday I got the floor after 
 Colonel Leitiier had spoken. As soon as it was known that 
 /had the floor, I saw persons begin to seattheniiselves; there 
 was some anxiety or curiosity to hear me. It was known 
 that I differed from the other members in regard to my views 
 about the Union. Entire and profound silence prevailed over 
 the House. 1 had spoken but a very short time before 1 saw 
 the faces of the members turn pale. They seemed amazed at 
 my boldness, yet felt deeply the force of my argument. 
 
 Professor Williams, of the South Carolina College, (^ame to 
 me this morning and said that he gave me his heart as cor- 
 dially as he did his hand— that he was in ecstacy with my 
 speech, although he did not hear it — his son did. I saw Colo- 
 nel O'Hanlon sitting with a face beaming with joy, but 1 
 have not seen him since. Mr. Middleton said to me this 
 morning that I had amazed the House with my ultraisnj 
 and boldness. I thought so too. The newnpapers have all 
 spoken respectfully of my speech, but regret that any one 
 should hold my sentiments. Colonel McGowan replied tome 
 yesterday. Colonel Dargan (brother of the Chancellor) re- 
 plied this morning, and Colonel Lyles, of Fairfield. They 
 were all very respectful. 
 
98 Benjamin Franklin Perry 
 
 House of Represent ativeh, 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Dw. 7, 1852. 
 ****** Monday I went to the com- 
 menceinent in the Colleg^e, and was pleaseci with the perform- 
 ance. P. Fj. Griffin, of Society Hill, delivered a very fine 
 poem, representing' a conversation between Sir William Wal- 
 lace and Bruce. In speaking* of Bruce, he addressed me so 
 pertionaUy as to attract the whole College. Governor Means 
 said to me that Griffin had made me the Sir William Wallace 
 of his poem. The first part of his address spoken by Bruce 
 to Wallace, was very much like some of the abuse heaped on 
 me by the Secessionists; ambition, traitor, &c., <Scc. But at 
 the close of the poem, finding out the re^f/ sentiments t)f Wal- 
 lace, Bruce says to him: ''Now, I acknowledge you as a 
 patriot, pure and devoted to your country.^' 
 
 Office of South Carolina Lunatic Asylum, 
 
 Columbia. S. C, Dec. 29, 1887. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 Dear Madam: During the session of the Legislature its 
 Committees keep me unusually busy, so that when your first 
 letter came I ventured to postpone a reply until I could find 
 time to make a satisfactory statement. The subject of your 
 letters is of so much interest that I must even now have 
 your indulgence a few days longer. The poem alluded to was 
 my graduating speech. Believing that the attention it at- 
 tracted was due more to its novelty as a commencement ex- 
 ercise than to its merit, 1 refused consent to its publication. 
 I had therefore only the original manuscript, which was car- 
 ried off by Sherman's burners when they pillaged my office 
 at Society Hill. I have sometimes thought that I might be 
 able to reproduce it, but my life has been so busy that I have 
 not found time to attempt it. When I received yonr very 
 complimentary letter I thought I would wait a short time to 
 see if I could not recall my old College composition and send 
 it to you. I can only promise that in a few days I shall send 
 you at least a statement of my recollection of the incident, 
 very distinct in mv memory, of having selected Governor 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 99 
 
 Perry, then a Sewitor from Greenville, to jyersonate Sir 
 William Wallace, the hero of the dialogue with Bruce. 
 
 TruHtiiig that you will allow me a little more time to re- 
 fresh m,v memory, and thankiniz; you for your kind allusion 
 to Mrs. Griffin and to myself, and bejj-ging you to believe me 
 one of your distinguished husband's most enthusiastic ad- 
 mirers, 
 
 I remain v«^ry sincerely yours, 
 
 P. E. Griffin. 
 
Preface to Private JouRNAt#»* 
 
 ^ 
 
 (In compiling^ this Tribute to my husband, I had no idea of putting in it anythingr J. A 
 
 w> personal to myself as this tribute of the husband to the wife, contained in '^^^ 
 
 the Preface writted in her Journal. But as I am endeavoring to set 
 
 forth his nobility of character and his exalted virtues, I deem it not 
 
 inconsistent to let this outpouring of his noble heart have a. 
 
 place in this tribute, as it proves more than anything else 
 
 can his pure and noble nature.— Mbs. B' F. P.) 
 
 This little book is respectfully presented to Mrs. Elizabeth 
 Prances Perry, by her loving husband, with the earnest re- 
 quest that she will appropriate it as her journal. In after 
 life it will be a source of great satisfaction to refer to the 
 remarks and comments which will here be made on the pass- 
 ing events of the day. 
 
 For several years past I have kept a journal of my life, in 
 which I have recorded all the incidents which have happened 
 to me during that time. I have told where I was and what 
 I was doing; whom I saw and what they said. But even 
 nore than this, I have written the inmost secrets of my 
 heart, the feelings and impulses of my nature. This afforded 
 'ne great pleasure at the time, and has often given me much 
 ticreater pleasure since, in reading and looking over it. 
 
 Let me, then, advise you, my dear wife, to begin your jour- 
 nal to-day. Make it a sort of diary. Set down in the even- 
 ing what you have been doing that day, whom you have 
 spen, what you have read, the work you have been at, 
 vhether the day has been pleasantly and profitably spent. 
 'Vhen you travel or leave homcj let this book be your com- 
 panion, and write down in it all you see, etc. In doing this 
 do assure you that you will make a book of interest to 
 oupself in after life. It will be a record of your feelings, 
 pinions and views every day. In looking over this book- 
 jars htence; it will give you great pleasure to compare your 
 ' .'^lini^-s and views at different pi^riols of your life. You will 
 
XQ2 Benjamin Franklin Perry. 
 
 be amused at the honest changes jou have undergone in 
 your opinion of various persons and different subjects. 
 
 How interesting', how deeply interesting, it must be to me 
 to turn to my journal and read over the remarks I made on 
 first seeing you ! How little did I then think that you were 
 so soon to be my wife! I had, it is true, from our first ac- 
 quaintance, secret aspirations and hopes, but there were 
 fears and apprehensions, and T had almost given over the 
 idea of changing a state in which I had enjoyed so much ease, 
 tranquility and pleasure, free of almost all the cares and 
 troubles of life. But that moonlight walk proved too much 
 for my philosophy. Never was love more sudden than mine, 
 and never was man better pleased with the object of his love, 
 on becoming intimately acquainted with her. 
 
 You were then only seventeen years old ; your person was 
 slender, and might almost be taken as a model of symmetry,; 
 your weight was one hundred and one pounds, and you were 
 of the ordinary height. Your features are of the Grecian 
 cast — small, delicate and exquisitely formed; auburn hair, 
 soft, blue eyes, high,, smooth forehead, beautiful mouth, chin 
 and nose. In your face there was a sweetness of expression 
 and a mild, benevolent, Christian look which methought 1 
 had never before seen. Your complexion was fair and beau- 
 tiful, and the bloom of health ev^er to be seen on your cheeks. 
 
 In disposition, I found you mild and amiable, and I have 
 seen nothing since our marriage to alter the very exalted 
 opinion I fii'st formed of your good nature. Your manners 
 were pleasant and engaging, though rather retiring and diffi- 
 dent, which endeared you the more to my heart. I found in 
 your nature that modesty which is the highest trait in female 
 character, and without which the most accomplished and 
 brilliant of your sex are despicable in my eyes. In conversa- 
 tion, though unassuming and unpretending, you were lively 
 and interesting. Your mind had been well cultivated for one 
 of your age. You had acquired a taste foi- reading, which I 
 hope will be cultivated with care and assiduity. In your 
 dress, I found you were very tasteful, though nevei* gaudy or 
 splendid. I never saw anyone so simple, and yet so tasteful 
 and particular. You wore then, as you do now, your hair in 
 
Benjamin Franklin Perry. 108 
 
 curls, which gave you a peculiar, girlish and striking appear- 
 ance. Your voice was the sweetest and softest I ever heard. 
 You performed most charmingly on the guitar, and almost 
 created within my bosom a fondness for music. It was thus, 
 my dear wife, that you appeared to me when 1 first began to 
 love you, and, although we have now been married nearly 
 three months, you are still the same soft, lovely and beauti- 
 ful being I have just described. If you have faults, they are 
 not perceptible to me, and can only be the faults of youth 
 and inexperience. Nor is it to be wondered at that you, pos- 
 sessing all the charms I have just given you, should have 
 made so easy a conquest of my heart. 
 
 I had been from childhood of a sober, serious turn of mind. 
 Devoted to books and study, I was never fond of company 
 or society. I early imbibed a prejudice against the insinceri- 
 ty of the one and the heartlessness of the other. In my man- 
 ners, I was plain and unpretending, and that proud nature 
 God has endowed me with ever scorned to humble itself or 
 act falsely. Hence, I was no courtier or Chesterfield. 
 
 But I forbear to give you a sketch of my own character in 
 your journal. This I will leave for you to draw. I have 
 done so in my own journal, and with an impartiality and 
 correctness which might surprise you. My faults, which are 
 many, are told with the honest frankness of one who feels 
 and knows them, and who would gladly remedy them, but w^ho 
 cannot conceal them. 
 
 In conclusion, let me say that if you will only write one 
 sentence every week in this book, for twenty years, it will, at 
 the end of that time, afford you more interest to look over 
 its pajies than any other book in the world. 
 
 July 12, 1837. ' B. F. Perry. 
 

 WILLIAM HAYNE PERRY 
 
 (It is not deemed inconsistent in this Ti'ibute to the Father to publish a Sketch of 
 
 the Son, written by a discriminating and appreciative friend at the time 
 
 William H. Perry was first elected to (.Congress in 1884; also a few of 
 
 the letters received congratulatory on his re-election to Congress 
 
 for the third term, and published unknown to him.) 
 
 William Hayiie Perry, Cong-ressman-elect from the Fourtb. 
 District of South Carolina, was born in the city of Greenville. 
 
 He is the son and eldest child of ex-Governor Benjamin F. 
 Perry and of Mrs. Elizabeth Frances Perry, a niece of Robert 
 Y. Hayne, distin;L>nished as the compeer of VVebster in the 
 United States Senate, and afterwards the honored Governor 
 of South Carolina. 
 
 He attended the various and most approved elementary 
 schools of his native city, and at a comparatively early age 
 entered the Furman University, then i-ecently established at 
 that place, and remained for several years successfully pursu- 
 ing his studies until he was graduated. After this he was 
 sent to the South Carolina College at Columbia, an institu- 
 tion of great renown and usefulness and scarcely second to 
 any in the land. Here he remained not more than five or six 
 months in the junior class, the exercises of the College being 
 suspended at this time in consequence of a rebellion among 
 the students. His father then sent him North, where he en- 
 tered the junior class at Harvard University, Cambridge. 
 Here he remained two years, graduating with distinguished 
 honors in a large class and being appointed fifth orator on 
 the occasion of the commencement exercises of the university. 
 
 Upon leaving Harvard he and his friend, Mr. Memminger, 
 of South Carolina, made an extended tour through Canada 
 and many of the Northern States. 
 
 Upon his return home he at once began reading law, and 
 after two vears studv was admitted to the bar at Columbia, 
 
106 William Hayne Penj. 
 
 and commenced the practise of his profession in co-partner- 
 .ship with his father. 
 
 In a very short time thereafter South Carolina seceded from 
 the Union, and he immediately volunteered his services as 
 private in a troop of cavalry known as the Brooks Troop, 
 afterwards incorporated into the Hampton Legion and com- 
 manded by the distinguished General of that name. 
 
 In this troop he served during the whole war under the 
 leadership of Stewart, Hampton and Butler, with great 
 gallantry and credit to himself in most of the battles fought 
 hy the army of Northern Virginia. 
 
 Although a private, such was his popularity with his com- 
 lades in arms, that at the reorganization of the troop to 
 which he belonged he was elected first lieutenant of his com- 
 pany. Towards the close of the war, his company having 
 been in the, meantime attached to the 2d S. C. regiment of 
 cavalry, he was transferred with this command to defend the 
 sea coast of South Carolina, and was in various severe en- 
 gagements with the enemy. 
 
 While on the coast he acted as adjutant of his regiment, 
 and served in this capacity to the end of the war, and was 
 with his command on duty in and around Wilmington, N. C, 
 at the time of the surrender of the army under Johnston. 
 
 On several occasions his conduct was such as to elicit the 
 special notice and commendation of his superior officers. In 
 all the qualities of the soldier he had no superior. None 
 moi'e brave, none more modest. 
 
 After the surrender of the Confederate armies he returned 
 home, and resumed the practise of his profession in connec- 
 tion with his father, and was immediately elected a member 
 of the State convention at the head of the ticket, and shortly 
 afterwards was elected a member of the Legislature, and 
 participated with the Democratic part}' in all the political 
 questions of the period of reconstruction. 
 
 In 1868 he was elected Solicitor of the Western Circuit by a 
 majority of about two thousand votes over his opponent, 
 and discharged the duties of this office for four years with 
 great ability, firmness and fairness. 
 
 At the next election in 1872, the State government having 
 
Willmm Hayne Perry. 107 
 
 passed into the hands of the infamous negro and scalawag 
 regime, Col. Perry lost his election by the negro vote of Ab- 
 beville, which County had been added to his Circuit fortheex- 
 press purpose of defeating him. 
 
 He then devoted himself to his profession with renewed 
 energy and zeal, and had a large and commanding practise, 
 his father having in the meantime in a great measure with- 
 drawn from the practise before the courts in consequence of 
 the disgust and prejudice which he entertained for the radi- 
 cal judges who presided in the courts with ignorance, impu- 
 dence and want of principle. 
 
 In 1880 Colonel Perry was elected State Senator from Green- 
 ville County, and served his County for four years in this 
 capacity. Declining a re-election for the same, his County 
 without his solicition by a unanimous vote for the second 
 time presented his name to the (congressional convention as 
 a candidate for Congress, and, receivingthe nomination from 
 that convention, he was elected November the 4th, 1884, to 
 represent the 4th Congressional District of South Carolina. 
 
 It will thus be seen that his native County has bestowed 
 upon him nearly every office in her gift : member of the State 
 Convention, Legislator, Solicitor, Senator and Congressman. 
 He has also received favorable and flattering mention from 
 various papers of the State, in connection with the governor- 
 ship thereof. After the war he was appointed colonel of cavalrA^ 
 by Governor Orr, and in 1881 Governor Hagood made him 
 one of his aides. 
 
 As a public man Colonel Perry has proven himself a wise 
 and careful legislator, noted for his quiet, but active and 
 practical usefulness. His public life inspires a just confidence 
 in the soundness of his judgment and the integrity of his pur- 
 pose. He has been a life-long eDmocrat, and has many of the 
 attributes and ''native virtues" of his more distinguished 
 father ; incorruptible i»tegrity, conscientious and consistent 
 to his convictions, "sustaining whatever he believes to be 
 right with boldness and determination, and opposing with 
 his whole nature what he conceives to be wrong," with that 
 disregard for consequence, without which, as has been truly 
 
108 WiUhnn Havne Peirv. 
 
 ,Hai(l, nothing great, either in thought or action, can be ae- 
 romplished. 
 
 Reared by his father in that school of political ethics and 
 statesinanship to which he belonged and was a leader in the 
 pure and better days of Carolina's history, he has none of 
 the sordid and selfish arts of the demagogue and political 
 trickster. It is this purity of character joined to the high 
 qualities of a well-balanced mind that has enabled him to 
 enjoy for so long a period the confidence and respect of his 
 constituents. 
 
 As a professional man and practitioner he is honorable, fair 
 and conscientious; never resorting to, oi* employing any of 
 the more doubtful pra'-tises of the profession. 
 
 As an advocate, without being rhetorical, he has great 
 weight and influence before a jury. His language is clear and 
 condensed ; his manner natural, earnest and impressive, and 
 gives force to all he says. ''He speaks for a purpose, and 
 never for mere display, and seldom any display of elaborate 
 preparation.'- 
 
 Without being a scientific lawyer, he is perhaps what is far 
 better for himself and his clients, an admirable practical one. 
 In character Colonel Perry is manly, truthful and modest. 
 He enjoy« a personal character " which stamjjs a credit upon 
 all he says," and is admired by all who know him for the 
 inirity and dignity of his private life. 
 
 He is reticent and unambitious, indifferent alike to honors 
 and distinctions: and left to himself his friends believe he 
 would prefer the retirement and more quiet life of a private 
 station. 
 
 In his social life he is unobtrusive and retiring; simple in 
 his tastes, habits and manners; honest in his dealings, sincere 
 and truthful in his intercourse, a staunch and faithful friend. 
 He is handsome and striking in person, with a countenance 
 expressive of frankness, firmness and sincerity; in figure 
 manly and stalwart, with no touch of effemii»acy about it. 
 
 By judicious management he has acquired and has well in 
 hand an ample fortune, and is a bachelor, but young enough 
 to change his views and form new attachments. 
 Ill the full vigor and inime of manhood, with intellect 
 
William Hayne Perry. 109 
 
 8trengthened by experience, his friends, judging the future by 
 the past, confidently predict for him an honorable and use- 
 ful career in the new sphere of life upon which he is about to 
 enter. In every position to which he has so far been called 
 by the partiality of the people he has shown himself worthy 
 of their confidence and respect. As a man he is without re- 
 proach, a patriot without stain, and a soldier without fear. 
 
 "In all his armor there is no flaw in which envy or malice 
 may lodge a shaft of criticism." 
 
 Col. Periy lives with his father three miles from the city of 
 Greenville, at his valuable country seat, "Sans Bouci," a 
 home of beauty, comfort and hospitality, with its spacious 
 and beutiful residence surrounded with its ornamented and 
 neatly kept grounds. Prettily situated on one of the out- 
 lying hills at the foot of Paris Mountain, the view is wide and 
 expansive. Undulating over vale and meadow, hill and dale, 
 it breaks itself on the eastern slopes of the distant Blue Ridge. 
 
 " Where distance lends enchantment to the view. 
 And robes the mountain in its azure hue." 
 
 Here he enjoys relaxation from the cares of his profession, 
 and leads the life of a country gentleman, surrounded by all 
 those seductive charms of a home presided over by taste, 
 culture and refinement. 
 
 " More sweet than all th( landsdape smiling near." 
 
 E. G. 
 
 <35^ •^li'ilS •^!><c^ <1S'5S; <3><^. 
 

 LETTERS 
 
 Received Congratulatorj on William fl. Perry's Re-election to Congress for the Thirii Term, 
 
 Union, S. C, Sept. 17, 1888. 
 Mrs. Governor Perry, Greenville, S. C. 
 
 My Dear Madam: Doubtless you have ere this received 
 from many distinguished friends hearty congratulations upon 
 the triumphant re-election of your son to Congress, and en- 
 couraged by the recollection of kindly courtesies received at 
 your hands and from members of your family, I venture to 
 hope that you also will accept this expression of my gratifi- 
 cation at the happy result of the contest. 
 
 However much your son may have been indebted to the 
 devotion of a noble brother and the active zeal of friends, it 
 was, after all, his own high character, and the rare ability 
 which characterized his public utterances during the canvass 
 that won the victory. 
 
 I have never known any one (of whom our people of Union 
 had known so little before) to inspire them with such en- 
 thusiasm as your son did in the late canvass. His speeches 
 did the work, and the more they heard them, the better were 
 they pleased. 
 
 Your friend, Judge Wallace, said when asked about Wil- 
 liam Perry's character and ability : '' He is an able lawyer, 
 a gentleman of highest honor and integrity, and there is no 
 man in whom the people of Greenville, who know him best, 
 have more implicit confidence in every relation of life." 
 
 Will you do me the kindness to extend my felicitations on 
 the happy event to your daughter and daughter-in-law. 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 David Johnson, Sr. 
 
WUlisim Hayne Perry. Ill 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Sept. 19, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Pfruy, Greenville, S. C. 
 
 Dear Madam: Let me thank you for the kindly notice 
 taken by you of my note of thanks acknowledging the volume 
 of sketches recently sent to me by you. 
 
 In reply to your question, to whom could you send some 
 mark of appreciation for the part they took in supporting 
 your son's cause, I cannot pretend in a short note to make 
 mention of one fiftieth of the deserving ones without giving 
 rise to invidious distinctions. We all worked night and day. 
 With .your permission, however, I will give you a few names: 
 Hon. John T. Rhett, Mayor of the city ; Hon. John C. Seegers, 
 Member of Legislature; Hon. F. W. McMaster, Senator from 
 Richland; Hon. J. H. Pearson, Judge of Probate; Col. Wil- 
 liam Wallace, ex-State Senator from Richland ; C. R. Arthur, 
 Esq., Clerk of Court; Samuel W. Rowan, Esq., Sheriff; W. J. 
 Oathcart, Esq., City Clerk and Treasurer; C. 0. Marshall, 
 Esq., ex-Representative; J. C. F. Sims, Esq., one of our 
 largest planters ; E. D. Gillmore, Esq., our largest land owner ; 
 C. A. Calvo, Jr., Esq., proprietor of the Daily Register ; John 
 W. R. Pope, Esq., editor of the Daily Register ; Captain J. P. 
 Meehan, of the Hook and Ladder Company ; E. J. Brennen, 
 merchant, Alderman, and prominent candidate for the Leg- 
 islature; J. H. Davis, prominent merchant; Col. W. C. Swaf- 
 field, insurance agent; Capt. J. S. Leaphart, capitalist; 
 Joseph M. English, one of our worthiest citizens; Wm. H. 
 Lyles, Esq., distinguished member of the Columbia bar; D. 
 C. Ray, Esq., attorney at law; A. W. Ray, Esq., attorney at 
 law; Charles Narey, merchant; John A. Crawford, Esq., large 
 factor and cotton buyer; John McMaster, Esq.; Col. T. J. 
 Lipscomb, Superintendent Penitentiary; Dr. P. E. Griffin, 
 Superintendent State Lunatic Asylum ; J. M. Crawford, most 
 progressive farmer here; Julius H. Walker, Cashier Loan 
 and Exchange Bank. 
 
 A ver^^ large number of our most respected citizens voted 
 for your son. 
 
 No one need be ashamed either of the support or of the 
 supporters your son had in this community, for they came 
 to his assistance from all the w^alks of life, each one of which 
 
112 William Hay ne Perry. 
 
 endorsed his cause as a public serv^ant who had served al^ 
 alike, faithfully and honestly. 
 
 The correspondent of the Charleston News and Courier, 
 says: "Col. Perry had the support of a larj^e majority of 
 the artisans and clerks and the Penitentiary guards and 
 Asylum attendants almost in a body. His campaign was 
 quietly but thoroughly conducted by Capt. Pat Meehan of 
 the Phoenix Truck Company." 
 
 No man could win higher praise than is conveyed by this 
 criticism : He served all alike in his public capacity, and 
 la-borerw, clerks, professional men and artisans — all being 
 good Democrats — yielded him a ready support which has re- 
 sulted in the overwhelming defeat of his opponent. Please 
 add my name to your son's warm friends. 
 
 Very truly and respectfully, 
 
 • Andrew Crawford. 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Oct. 5, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Sans Souci, 
 
 My Dear Madam: Let me thank you kindly for the com- 
 pliments you have again and again paid me by selecting me 
 (out of the host of good and true friends Congressman 
 Perry has in this community) to whom to express your ap- 
 preciation of Richland's support of him in the recent cani- 
 paign. I repeat that I have iiever known a more fairly con- 
 ducted political campaign than the one in which he was vic- 
 tor, nor have I ever known higher bearing in a candidate 
 than that exemphfied by Colonel Perry throughout the or- 
 deal culminating in his selection as the candidate of our 
 party. 
 
 In publishing the letter alluded to in relation to your hus- 
 band, I shall feel flattered to have you make use of anything 
 emanating from me for the purpose of aiding in th^^ 
 depicting of a character upon which has fallen the mantle of 
 history. Yours truly, 
 
 Andrew Crawford. 
 
Willmii} Hayne Perry. IIS 
 
 Laurens, S. C, Sept. 13, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 Dear Madam: Allow nie as an old friend of journoblehus- 
 band and of your son. Colonel W. H. Perry, to tender my 
 congratulations on the re-election of the latter to Congress. 
 I think I can enter into the feeling of honest pride and pleas- 
 ure which the news of his success must havegiven his mother ; 
 for there is nothing that more thoroughly gratifies a parent 
 than distinction won by an honorable, gifted child. 
 
 Colonel Perry is the victor in a closely-fought contest, and 
 
 has retained the respect of his opponents. This in itself is an 
 
 achievment few men in political life have won. Mrs. Moseley 
 
 joins me in these expressions. With the highest regard, 1 am, 
 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 George F. Moseley. 
 
 Union, S. C, Sept. 14, 1888. 
 Dear Mrs. Perry: Accept my thanks for the beautiful 
 copy of the "Sketches by Governor Perry, of South Caro- 
 lina," which you kindly sent me. I appreciate the gift so 
 much; the very correct likeness of your illustrious husband, 
 contained in the book, increases my admiration for it. 
 
 Strange coincident, the book reached this place amid the 
 booming of our cannon in honor of the re-election of your 
 son. Col. William H. Perry, to Congress. Wishing 3'ou 
 health and much happiness, I am, 
 
 Yours truly, 
 
 J. G. McKissiCK. 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Sept. 14, 1888. 
 
 My Dear Mrs. Perry : I have rejoiced with you all over 
 the victory of Col. Perry, and did all I could here, in my way, 
 to secure it. It would have done you good to see how his 
 friends worked for him on election day. 
 
 The Columbia correspondent of the News and Courier said 
 the business men and merchants all voted for Duncan, but 
 this is a mistake, for I know that many of our most promi- 
 
114 Willmin Htivne Perrv 
 
 iient men of busiiies;s supported Colonel Perry on the business 
 principle that his experience in Confi:ress made him the rnore 
 efficient man of the two. His speech here made him friends 
 and supporters among thinking men who do not take part 
 in active politics. He never could have cariied the citv of 
 Columbia as he did, if men of influence had not given him 
 their warm support. The vote in Gi-eenville County was 
 splendid and a great tribute, considering that it was the 
 third time in a month the people had been called to the polls. 
 
 I am truly glad to learn that Perry is to come back hei'e. 
 
 I think it a great mistake for our boys to change their 
 teachers and schools. It has been the bane of my own sons, 
 and has had much to do with their ill success at books. Let 
 Perry stick to his own State and people* and after life will 
 tell its worth to him. I want him to look upon our house as 
 a home, where a heai^y and loving greeting will always 
 await him. 
 
 Love to dear Fanny. Kiss Emily foi- me. 
 
 Ever, my dear Mrs. Peiry, your friend, 
 
 E. Capeks. 
 
 CoLUMiuA, 8. C, Sept. 15, 1888. 
 Deak Mrs. Pp:hry: It is with great pleasure that I write 
 you at this time, knowing that you are happy at the result 
 of last Tuesday's election. And I assure you the friends of 
 your son in Richland are more than delighted over his victo- 
 ry and the good work they did liere. It was quite a surprise 
 to both sides. The day before the election, Mr. Duncan's 
 friends claimed that Richland would not give Perry one hun- 
 died nmjority. But when Tuesday came, and the Duncan 
 fiiends saw how the Perry boys were working, they soon 
 gave up all hope of Richland cutting Perry's majority down 
 below one hundred. I was at the box in our ward, in the 
 city, and it was soon seen that we would give Perry three to 
 one, whicli we did exactly at our precinct, Duncan receiving 
 51 votes and Perry 153. The Rev. Mi". Capers voted at our 
 ward, and when he came to vote, he picked up a ticket and 
 said he wanted to vote for his friend Perrv. I don't think 
 
WilUiim Hayne Perry. 115 
 
 there ever was a.s riiucb interest taken in an election here 
 since the war, and when the result of Richland was known, 
 you could see "roups of Perry's friends on the streets with 
 smiling- faces, and the Duncan men, I must say, looked very 
 sad. We know there are a great many who are sorry for 
 what they did, but Perry's friends here are very forgiving, 
 and in future I guess the defeated ones will come to us for 
 advice — that is, if they want to get on the strong side, which 
 is the side of justice and truth. 
 
 Now that it is all over, I want you to say to your son, 
 Hon. W. H. Perry, that he should nev^er forget Richland's 
 interest in Congress. 
 
 I will now close, hoping this ma^^ reach yau safe and find 
 you in the best of health. With best of wishes for you and 
 all the members of your family, I am. 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 George V. Hennies. 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Sept. 17. 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 Dear Madam: Please accept my congratulations on the 
 success of your son. He is the " right man in the right place," 
 and you should be proud of him. With many kind wishes 
 I am. Very respectfully, 
 
 P. B. McCoy. 
 
 Office of State Superintendent of Education, 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Sept. 17, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 My Dear Madam: I certainly enjoyed reading your very 
 interesting letter, and my sympathy was fully drawn out as 
 I saw your natural mother's solicitude for the success of your 
 son. I now hasten to congratulate you upon his very hand- 
 some election. He deserves it every bit, for Willie Perry is a 
 genuine man, and I regret to say the world is not full of them. 
 Having known him from an early age in many relations, I 
 am gratified to speak knowingly, 1 never knew hin» to do 
 
116 William Hayiw Perry. 
 
 aiiythino- wrong except remaining single (*). He in really 
 too modest and does not count for all he is worth, for I am 
 sure South Carolina has no truer man or more faithful public 
 servant. Please accept my most hearty good wishes for this 
 fitting up of his third term. 
 
 Very liespectfully, 
 
 James H. Rick. 
 
 Columbia, 8. C, Sept. 17, 1888. 
 ^Iks. B. F. Pekry, Greenville, S. C. 
 
 Respected Madam : You will please accept my many 
 thanks for the very valuable pamphlets you thought I was 
 worthy to have mailed to me. To have had this attention 
 l^estowed by you 1 ceitainly considei- a very great compli- 
 ment. It was never my good fortune to form the acquaint- 
 ance of your distinguished and much-lamented husband, 
 ex-Governoi* B. V. Perry, yet 1 knew him — knewhimtohonoi* 
 and respect, for his learning, great thoughts and goodness. 
 The address delivered by him in this city, in 1858 I had the 
 ])leasure of hearing. Rest assured, Mrs. Perry, that those 
 pamphlets are highly prized by me, and will be treasured, 
 often read and referred to. 
 
 I should have sooner acknowledged the recnipt of those 
 most interesting papers, but deferred that I might have the 
 pleasure of extending at the same time my hearty con- 
 gratulations for the success of your honorable son, Col. W. 
 H. Perry, in again by a very large majority receiving the 
 lenomination for Congress to represent the Fourth Con- 
 gressional District. This victory was won by true merit 
 alone, and his many friends of Richland rejoice the more on 
 that account. 
 
 Again, dear madam, accept my thanks for attention shown, 
 ^lay heaven's choicest blessings be showered upon you and 
 your family, is the humble prayer of 
 
 Your most obedient servant, 
 
 Charles E. Kirk. 
 
 (*) Whieli '• wrong*" he correeteil the followinji- October 17. 1888. 
 
William Hayne Perry. 117 
 
 House of Eepresentatives, 
 
 Washington, D. C, Sept. 25, 1888. 
 Mrs. H. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C. 
 
 My Dear Mrs. Perry: Thanks for a copy of the Green- 
 ville Enterprise and Mountaineer, recordingthedetails of the 
 handsome endorsement of your son and my esteemed col- 
 league, at the late primary. 
 
 It was a deserved recognition of faithful and efficient ser- 
 vice, and I beg you to accept my congratulations over a re- 
 sult which must have been eminently gi'atifying to yourself. 
 Very respectfully and truly yours, 
 
 Samuel Dibble. 
 
 Greenville, S. C, Sept. 27, 1888. 
 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry: I think Prof. Morrison is the author 
 of the review of the great speech of your distinguished hus- 
 band and my dear friend, contained in the last number of the 
 Southern Christian Advocate. Of this I am not quite sure, but 
 will ascertain with certainty, who is the author and com- 
 municate the fact to you. 
 
 Let me assure you the triumphant election of your 
 distinguished son could not have been more gratifying to 
 yourself and family than to the writer hereof. The victory 
 W. H. Perry achieved in the contest, shows, beyond all ques- 
 tion what a grasp he has upon the affections and confidence 
 of the people. He had a Greek to meet in his opponent, a 
 gentleman of great personal popularity^a foeman worthy 
 of his steel, and notwithstanding all this, your son's victory 
 was a Waterloo defeat to his competitor. 
 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 John M. Stokes. 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Oct. 1, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C. 
 
 My Dear Madam : 1 desire to return my sincere thanks for 
 the copy of "Sketches by Governor Perry," recently received, 
 and also for the other pamphlets previously sent me. My re- 
 collections of your distinguished husband are of the pleas- 
 
118 William H ay ne Perry. 
 
 an test, and I had ^reat admiration for him, both as a man 
 an(i a statesman. I therefore prize very highly the produc- 
 tions of his pen you have sent me, and shall recommend them 
 to thecareful perusal of my children. Your son, Hon. W. H. 
 Perry, was as you know a Lieutenant in my Regiment, the 
 2d S. C. Cavalry, during the late war, and always acquitted 
 himself with credit to his name and his State. I entertain 
 the highest regard for him, and congratulate you and him 
 heartily upon his renomination to the seat he has heretofore 
 so worthily filled in Congress. I have taken occasion to 
 tender to the young men in my employment the thanks you 
 have so kindly expressed for the interest they took in the re- 
 nomination of your son. 
 With much respect, I have the honor to subscribe myself, 
 
 Your friend, 
 
 T. J. Lipscomb. 
 
 Campobello, S. C, Oct. 21, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, 
 
 My Dear Madam : Your kind letter of October 18, is re- 
 ceived and I take great pleasure in replying to the same, and 
 not only to do this, but to acknowledge myself the happy re- 
 cipient of the book you sent me containing Sketches, 
 Speeches, &c., of your eminent, noble and patriotic husband, 
 which is presented me in reciprocation for the small volume 
 I sent you. 1 would have acknov.ledged this valuable gift 
 sooner, but for the fact that it came to Landrum instead of 
 this place (Campobello) where I receive most of my mail. 
 
 While I was expecting nothing in return from you, I can 
 assure you that nothing you could have giv^en me would 
 have been more appreciated. I find myself constantly 
 dwelling upon its interesting pages, and soon will have read 
 it through. I had the pleasure of becoming acquainted 
 personally with your husband while reading medicine with 
 Dr. Earle in Greenville in 1806 and have not only admired, 
 but idolized the purity of his exalted character and every- 
 thing- pertaining to the same. While engaged in writing- 
 some historical sketches for one of our county papers a few 
 
William Hiiyne Perry. 119 
 
 years ago, I corresponded with him, and shall never forget 
 his kindness in fnrnishing me such valuable information as 
 enabled me to complete that which I had undertaken. 
 
 You are correct in stating that I am a friend of your son, 
 the Hon. William H. Perry, and one of his main supporters 
 in the i-ecent Congressional election. We were together for 
 three years in the same regiment in the army. I knew him 
 pleasantly during the year I spent in Greenville, and have 
 met him often since. We were both members of our State 
 Legislature at the same time — he a member of the Senate and 
 I a member of the House. 
 
 During all this time, I have admired him as a plain, upright, 
 honest and patriotic gentleman, adorned with the dignity 
 and intellect of his distinguished father. Without any senti- 
 ment of flattery, I can assure you that he is a representative 
 man among the people, and although he may, from personal 
 preference, decline re-election two years hence, I hear it al- 
 ready mooted by intelligent thinking ones, that the public 
 interest will demand that he longerserve the people. Certain 
 it is that he will not be allowed to remain inactive very long. 
 
 The times will demand that he be called into other impor- 
 tant and responsible spheres of usefulness. Be this as it may, 
 no one will look with more pleasure and pride to his contin- 
 ued elevation than myself. I have been, and will always re- 
 main, his humble friend and supporter. 
 
 We received the wedding card of invitation to which you 
 refer, and, if it is not imposing too much on you, will request 
 that you convey to the happy pair, for myself and family, 
 our thanks for the compliment, and our kindest wishes for 
 their future welfare, happiness and prosperity. 
 
 I thank you for your kind invitation to call upon you in 
 person in Greenville, and hope at no distant day to be able 
 to avail myself of that pleasure, and with many kind wishes, 
 etc., I am, with the highest esteem and veneration. 
 Your friend and humble servant, 
 
 J. B. O. Landrum. 
 
120 WiUiam Hayne Purry. 
 
 Columbia, S. C, Get. 8, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville, S. C. 
 
 My Dear Madam: I bej2;to thank you for the papers re- 
 ceived .yesterday, and for the photograph received to-day. 1 
 have always entertained profound respect for the memory of 
 your distinguished husband, hence, his picture cannot fail to 
 be fully appreciated. I have never had the pleasure of meet- 
 ing you, but I shall value your picture as the wife of one of 
 South Carolina's most distinguished sons, and as the mother 
 of one who has rendered me service simply because I was one 
 of a numerous constituency. To Col. William H. Perry I owe 
 a debt of friendship and gratitude for substantial aid and 
 for constant courtesies, in return for which any little service 
 that I can render him will be wholly inadequate, and there- 
 fore his picture is in more than fiiendly hands. As the sister 
 of two esteemed friends, I shall value Mrs. Beattie's picture, 
 and hope some day to have the pleasure of knowing her, as 
 well as yourself, personally. As for the picture of the sweet 
 little sister of Mr. Beattie, I shall value it because I love 
 (children, and because the little face appears to beam with 
 amiability — Nature's fairest ornament to her sex. So, you 
 see, my dear madam, that, as a whole, the picture is thor- 
 oughly appreciated. You will be good enough to pardon 
 mj' seeming familiarity in alluding individually to the faces 
 in the picture ; my appreciation of it could not be well at- 
 tested otherwise. 
 
 With friendly greetings for your son, Mr. B. F. Perry, who, 
 I suppose, is with you, and with sincere respect for yourself,! 
 remain, Very respectfully yours, 
 
 Joseph M. English. 
 
William Hayne Perry. 121 
 
 Greenville, S. C, Sept. 16, 1888. 
 Mrs. B. F. Perry, Greenville City, 
 
 Dear Madam : Please accept many thanks forthe valuable 
 book given me, and I assure you that "Sketches by Govern or 
 -Perry, of South Carolina," occupy an honored and highly 
 prized position in my Library. I appreciate the work 
 because it contains his writings, likeness and impress, and 
 was given me by you upon a day I shall long remember with 
 great pleasure an d pride. Now that the fact is fully confirmed 
 and conceded on all sides, I desire to tender to you my most 
 hearty congratulations upon the success of your distinguished 
 son. It is a grand victory in which you do not share alone. 
 
 In him I feel that we have a puplic servant in whom may 
 be reposed implicit confidence, and that in the Congress of the 
 United States he will discharge the duties of that high office 
 with credit to himself as well as great benefit and fairness to 
 his constituents. It is a pleasure to me to know that every 
 one of my name supported Col. Perry, and I sincerely hope 
 the friendship which began with the fathers, will continue to 
 augment as long as the names Perry and Gilreathare known 
 in this land. 
 
 With me the name of Governor Perr^' shall be handed down 
 to posterity as the greatest and truest man South Carohna 
 has ever produced. May his sons, as they are doing, emulate 
 his noble vii-tues and follow in his illustrious footprints. 
 
 Truly your friend, 
 
 Herman G. Gilreath. 
 

 Extract from a Speech 
 
 DELIVERED BY 
 
 Col, Henrf O, Capers at the Mass Meetiog at Greeoville the [veniog Before the Congressional [lection, 
 
 s:E:i=i'E:ivd:sES. ±o, ises. 
 
 I have not language to express to you the gratification 
 that I, in common with others who were with me, experienced 
 during the past winter when looking down upon the Na- 
 tional House of Representatives in session I recognized the 
 influence and the respectable caste of those who were 
 there to represent the sovereignty of this grand old historic 
 State ; when from every Congressional District the people of 
 this Commonwealth, distinguished from their earliest history 
 through their representatives, in every department of social 
 life, were recognized in the National Legislature as the peei's 
 of the best, from stilted New England or from reckless 
 Illinois; when I met such men as Dibble, Hemphill, Tilhnan, 
 Dargan, Cothran, and your honored and worthy representa- 
 tive, William H. Perry, illustrating in their personal influ- 
 ences their recognized characters as true men, their intelli- 
 gence as legislators, and their virtues of citizenship, n 
 sovereignty of manhood and of intelligence. 
 
 Among these your Representative was recognized by Dem- 
 ocrats and Republicans as a man of the highest personal in- 
 tegrity, of a deliberate sound judgment, who in formulating 
 the work of Congress in the Committee rooms was always at 
 his post of duty and ready with reason and in sober judg 
 ment to exercise the functions delegated to him by his con- 
 stituency and prove himself a safe adviser. My friends, it is 
 a great mistake to suppose that the noisy member of any 
 deliberative body, who is ever i-eady to display the periods 
 of rhetoric and to secure the printed applause of a reporter, 
 is either the m»n of influence or the safe director in ])ublic 
 
Willmm Hayne Perry. 123 
 
 affairs. Those who think the most are apt to speak the 
 less. 
 
 Knowing his personal character for unimpeached integrity, 
 his influence in the House of Representatives and before the 
 Committees of this great legislative body, the respect he 
 commands from all, whether of his party or of the opposition, 
 furthermore, that he has to his acquired experiences in two 
 terms of service to add the strength, soundness and balance 
 of a mind just reaching its prime, in the strength of a 
 vigorous manhood, I would, were I allowed so to do, for the 
 good of the people and the honor of this Commonwealth, lay 
 the burden of representing them upon William H. Perry — 
 upon him who stands before his people to-day with a record 
 clean of reproach, and with nothing to explain or to ex- 
 tenuate, but with much for you to commend and for you to 
 be y)roud of.