The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1866-04-26
Jud re sharkey Again.

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Judge sharkey Again.
The Geographic synopsis of the testimony
of Judge Sharkey before the Reconstruction
Committee did him some injustice. Weap-
pend in full that portion of it relating to the
State Government of Mississippi, and make
corrections of what we kno,o to be mistakes
concerning the Governor. -.s
The Governor did not become accidentally
connected with the revolution, if his con-
nection with it was the result of cool, calm,
deliberate thought, and with full sense of
the responsibility attaching to his action.
Such we know to have been tho case Long
before the revolution burst~like a storm
over us, he avowed his intention of shout
sdering his musl1et and doing his duty IN the
field whenever his State required his servi-
ees. Unlike many who aroused the spirit
that swept like hurricane over the State,
and then avoided the consequences, he did
all in his power to avert it from the people
When it came he met it. with no desire to
avoid its effects, but with firm and I'M
wavering resolution to share its fury with
the people. The dangers of the battle field
the tolls and sufferings of camp life
disease and wounds-aI these he
incurred. A grateful people, appre
eiating the devotion to them, illustrated as
it was in way that tried mems souls, and
reposing that confidence in him to which
his valor in the field and wisdom in council
entitled him, elected him their Governor.
In the walks of civil life he has been no less
firm and just and prudent and unfinching
than he was as soldier. Governor Humph
reys has always maintained that no Gov
eminent which incorporated in it's system
the idea of secession at will' could stand.
During the ar he maintained that the con-
tanned no such doctrine, though it could be
argued that such right did exist, by those
who believed in the old doctrine and went
into the war upon it, But all of us did not
fight for that doctrine of secession" 1t
was because We thought our rights could
not be maintained in the Union, that we at
tempted to withdraw from it by force and
to set up a government that would accord
equal rights to all. To very large portion
of our people the war was rerolation,
not a secession recognized by the Constitu-
ton. 1t was so to Governor Humphreys.
The Judge entirely misunderstood the
views of the Governor when he rep
resented them to the reconstruction
We are not endeavoring to
discuss secession. 1t is dead-dead. But
we think it due to the Governor to repre-
sent fairly his views upon this question. |
We regret Judge Sharkey's fling at the High
Court and the Attorney General. If they |
learned in their profession, it is all that is |
requisite, and much more than some of the |
more .'loyal" States can boast Of AS their |
duties are confined to legal
questions we cannot see how their election |
could be rey sore to any of us, when we
admit their ability and their accomplished
earning in the law. We hope nerer to see
he day when political faith will be the test |
# illegal decisions, or influence the action of
'ur Judiciary. If they are ''loyal' new it
s unnecessary and ungenerous to allude to
,ast political faith to their derogatiOn,
While it is unjust to Mississippi as State
o create the impression (as such statements
will do) at the North that her Judiciary is
nsound. and cannot be trusted. Here is
he testimony:
@. What are the facts in regard to Gov
rnOr Humphreys and the present State gov
generally? Is it composed of men
Who were opposed to secession, or of men
Who favored it!
A In regard to Governor Humphreys
here was no man in the State of Mississippi
nOre opposed to secession than he was; and
will tell you more, he did not believe that
he Confederates could establish a govern.
lent if they were free and Independent; he
old me that himself some months before
he rebellion closed; / know his antecedents
rell; there was no man more opposed to Sc
ession than Governor Humphreys; he was
got into the rebellion by acct
ent, you might say; he went out with a
ompany as its captain, and was promoted
0 be general; being a very popular man
n the army he was elected Governor by the
Military vote, contrary to my wish he is a
God man, an excellent man, and believe
e ardently desires to see harmony re-
tored between the North and South;
he State government, with one j. ex- I
option. I regret to say, is in the
ands of the conservative men; the judicial
apartment has fallen into bad hands, the
1dges of the high court of errors were AL !,
there was but o weak opposl-
ion to them or they would not have been
Ieeted they would have been beaten; we .
eally had no material of responsibility to
IN against them, and they run in almost
,itheut oppositions the attorney general is {
/ the same category; three judges and the ,
ttorney general were secessionists; as to :
ne minor officers, do not know SO much
bout them, but the election of these judges
, the highest tribunal of the State was a I
cry sore thing to many of us; but 1 will =
u this of them, they have given nantes
ltions of an ardent desire to return to the !
MON and to act IN good faith; they admit
heir error frankly and freely; one or two of
lem have been pardoned by the President,
nd think they are as loyal as any one.
~ We refer our readers to. the card of
Iessrs Terry & Mitchell, Memphis, dealers
i boots and shoes and hats. These gentle |,
len buy direct from manufacturers and sell
xelusively to merchants. Their facilities
II buying goods cheap are unsurpassed, and l.
erchants buying from them viii receive
he benefit. They have now-i in store COM