The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1867-03-21

choice, is whether we will participate in the
action of that convention which is to frame
for the State her constitution This conven-
ton Is not a matter Of choice, it is to be held
whether we win or not, and will frame for
us and our posterity the organic or funda-
mental law. Now, the question is just re-
dnced to this, shall we consign our fortunes
and the destinies of our children to the ne
gro and the radical, or shall we manfully
contend for supremacy in the State, and can
any one doubt which of these two is the
course of submission, which of the two is de-
sertion Of the State and her fortunes. Book
for moment at the consequences of such
desertion. We throw away the ballot and
bestow the franchise upon the negro and his
associate. The Legislative, the Judiciary
and the executive departments of the State
all under the control of the negro or the
creatures of his choice. Now is it reasona-
BILE to suppose that when they have the law
making power in their hands. and an execu-
tive to enforce their legislative enactments,
and you without influence or power that they
will remain in subserviency to you as your
laborers. It would do violence to our expe-
rience of human nature and contradict every
lesson taught by the history of men in all
ages Of the world, if they do not reduce us
to paupers by the confiseation of our estates,
and make us in our turn the servile class of
the population. Suppose bill should be
passed and enforced coniscating our estates,
and the negro placed in possession, can any
thing more painful be imagined or conceived.
than the state of wretchedness and destitu-
ton to which we would be reduced.
Should this policy of inaction or stubborn
resistance be adopted by our people, I fear it
will lead to our destruction. believe that
from the introduction of negro suffrage, the
worst form and spirit of agrarianism will
arise to disturb the peace and order Of the
State, and that it will require our utmost
exertions to keep it down, and retain for our
selves political existence, and individual Sc
curity. That it is our duty to prepare now for
this conflict, do not see how any one can en-
terrain a rational doubt. That we have lost
control of national affairs is an insufficient
reason for refusing to control those of the
State. do not think that we ought to per-
NIT any ideas of honor.to interfere with our
duty to ourselves and posterity. In public
affairs there can be no criterion of what is
honorable, than as actions tend to advance or
retard the general interest. Submission to
things rendered inevitable by causes which
you cannot control, has hitherto been re-
garded as mans greatest glory, known to
the world as wisdom and fortitude of SOUL
1t was illustrated in the death of Socrates,
and his exhortation of obedience to the laws
which unjustly condemned him to die, was
the browning glory of his life. To resist
when resistance is vain, is suicidal, not hon.
orable. The sentiment of true honor holds
every thing subordinate to the general well
fare. The peace, safety, liberty of posterity.
Looking to future events and shaping our
policy in accordance with them, endeavoring
to make the most and best of the situation in
which we are placed, can neither encourage
our enemies or discourage our friends. AS to
the first, they need no encouragement, they
are fixed and unalterable in their purpose, az
to the last we can be of no advantage to
them until we obtain voice and seat, in
the national legislature The sooner this Is
done, the sooner will they derive any benefit
from our support and assistance. By yield
ing to necessity we prove recreant to no
principle prepared by the President or en-
dorsed by the conservative party. An act
unconstitutional remains unconstitutional.
Our active and prompt participation in the
convention when convened by military pow
er as prescribed by Congress, will be none the
less illegal, for our participation. And am
at a loss to understand how, obtaining for
ourselves as soon as possible some political
power is to lessen our chances in the future
for the restoration of the Constitution.
Very Respectfully,
j. W. ROBB.
To Messrs. John W. Robinson, M. S. Craft
and others,