Biographical Sketches of Eminent American Statesmen, with Speeches, Addresses and Letters

The ancients had a maxim, the justness of which is also strikingly exemplified in the life of Governor Perry. This was, "Respice finem." By it we are commanded never to be hasty or precipitate in our judgment, but to wait and estimate the value of a man's life at the end of his career, when all of his methods have had time to mature and bear fruit. His life has taught us all that time only was required to show the superiority of his views, the depth of his insight, and the wisdom of his plans.

Hoping to see in print also the address delivered before the Faculty and Graduates of the Medical College in this city, which was listened to with the greatest interest.

Congaree, S. C., September 30, 1887.

MRS. B. F. PERRY:

Dear Madam.--Please accept my thanks for sending me a copy of the Memorial Pamphlet of your deceased husband, the late Governor B. F. Perry.

It is a worthy tribute to the virtues and abilities of a distinguished Carolinian. The future historian of South Carolina will place him among the remarkable men who lived at a period of her history fruitful of great men.

Though many years the junior of Governor Perry, in reading the pamphlet, I recall many incidents of his career with which I was personally acquainted. I differed with him on many of the great political issues which agitated the State; but I always admired his fidelity to principle, and the Roman firmness with which he maintained what he conceived to be the right.

He was no "time-serving" politician, swayed by popular opinion, but a statesman, who possessed, to a remarkable degree, the courage of his convictions. He would rather be right alone than wrong with many.

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