The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1867-05-28


NOR I'm faGvOr OF Recommendation
Without undertaking 70 give'the reason
subject IT. to do which would make this com ON
munication quite too long perhaps to b
generally read, will say, In few words
that my opinion is, that In all probability II
will prove in the end to be better for the in
terests of our State, that the people should
make q virtue of necessity and comply al
gracefully as they can with the act Of Con
gress referred to, and organize State gov
eminent under them. "a
AS matters stand, 1 cannot perceive that
we have any choice left but to vote for o
convention and carry out the plan of Con.
gress, or else vote against convention and
remain for an indefinite series of years in our
present condition under martial law, with
the prospect of being subjected to other and
further acts of Congress which may be pass
ed OF more stringent and injurious charac-
ter. No other or better conditions are likely
to be obtained from the party now in power
as long as the present questions are unset
tied and open to agitation. Like all radical
parties--it lives upon agitation. The cause
removed, II must cease to exist Under
these circumstances, / think it will turn out
to be better for the people of cur State, to
adopt the revolution and fall in with the
plan proposed by Congress. It may prove
less disastrous to our interests than the
present state of things, OF than is generally
supposed. Once represented in Congress,
our State institutions will be under our
own control, Subject only to the Constitu-
ton of the United States. 1t may then be
reasonably hoped that the lovers of the Con-
stitution may cause it to be tolerably well
respected. 8
The acknowledgements and disqualified
tions contemplated by the congressional
plan constitute, in my Judgment, very grave
and serious objections to 1t. Had the lead
ing politicians of the country who actively
participated in getting up the secession
movement been disfranchised, many persons
would have thought that they had received
Just and appropriate reward of their own
doings. But it is not against this class of
persons that these disfranchisement are
directed. If any Of them happen to be en-
braced in the DISTINGUISHED class, it is not
because they were active secessionists but
because at some period of their lives they
have been oflce-holders. 1t is no cause Of
disfranchisement to have voted for the
ordinances of secession, to have led the Con-
federate armies in the field, or to have pre-
sided over the destinies Of the Confederate
government; but to have taken an official
oath twenty years ago as q member of Con-
gress or any State Legislature, or as an ex-
ecutive or Judicial officer of any State, and
to have given aid or comfort to
the enemies of the United States, is a cause
of Acknowledgement Notwithstanding the
party may have opposed and resisted seces-
sion as long as there was any virtue in doing
SO. This strange legislation was evidently
prompted by passion and ignorance. 1t is
inequitable and unjust. 1t is also impolitic,
for it ,deprives the State of the services of
many of the very best and most loyal of its
,itizens, and lends to ALLEVIATE their affections
from the government they desire to cherish
md love. But if we can organize State
government with the materials we have left
Ind get the State represent in Congress,
where it can be heard, think it may rea-
move these disabilities, at first from few
persons at a time, and after a year or
wo, from all by ageneral act 1t is not the
interest of our people, that these disabilities
hould exist or be continued any longer than
hey can be got rid of The war is over and
With it ought to cease all the hatred and
bitterness which accompanied it. Let the |
riginal secessionist and the original Union |
IAN forgive and forget the past and Join |
ands in building up for our State gov |
that shall, by its wisdom, its justice
nd its moderation, prove a blessing to our
elves and to our posterity. At the present |
lncture We need the friendly interchange of
Jews and opinions, the kind advice unI CO. |
peration of all well disposed men in the |
tate without regard to their antecedents. |
I'D issues have passed and are passing away. !
let them go, and "let the dead bury their |
cad" New ideas, new issues, are coming |
p, and indeed, are upon u.s. In federal poli- |
les we shall soon have to discuss questions |
tariff and revenue, OF internal improve
'ants. of the national debt and many 9th
rs; in State politics, questions of finance,
education, and of the best means of slim
lating the industry and developing the re-
'urces'of the State. We shall all of us have
lough to do in dealing with the questions
hich are looming up in the future without
eking to resuscitate the buried past. Let
J not look backwards but hopefully for
ard to the future, believing that Provi-
'nce has yet in store for our beloved State
blessings.
Had ever adopted the theory of secession,
I'd entertained the notion that the Confed-
ate States had separated from the Union
I'd become an independent power, so as to
: capable OF being subjugated and con-
ered in the proper sense of these words,
en- could submit to the acts of Congress
, have been considering with less sense of
initiation and injustice than now feel,
cause should consider them as imposed
the conqueror, not by virtue of the con-
tuition with which l had nothing to do,
It by virtue of the conquest. But having !
ways held the secession theory to be po-
ical heresy-honestly entertained but still {
leresy-and that minority of the States
nld not, either by ordinances of secession
any other acts, separate themselves from
3 Union, nor erect themselves into an in.
pendent power SO as to be capable of SUBJ
cation and conquest, though the indiyid-
Is in them might combine and rise in re.
lion and make war upon the United 7
ites and thereby incur each for himselfthe
nalties of treason, naturally feel,
tn many other Union men in :
, State, most keenly the humiliation and
Justice of prostrating the whole State at !,
, foot of the conqueror and dealing with !
rs conquered province-conquered by a !
eign power--thus implicitly recognizing !
} truth of the theory of secession and the
stence of the Confederate States as a 7
eign nation, with the conquest of all the :
al Union men in it. They lie PROSTATE.
9 by side with the rebels, at the foot of !.
conqueror. But it is better to forget all !;
gone theories and perhaps ignore all pres \
ones, and, considering ourselves as in :
ldition of revolution, deal with the ques- !
rs of the day as purely practical ones, and
out of our present difficulties the best -
= we can. Feeling thus, am prepared to Z
uiesce in the decision of the people of the =
te and give it my hearty support, what 4,
r it may be. y
have the honor to be fellow-citizens. y
Your Obedient humble servant, .,
WILLIAM MARVIN. a,