The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1867-03-19
zetter of Hen. .. w. Robb.


goa for this puglc expression OF your eo-4LA-
deaee. and while in responding I give you
frankly the result ofu reflections, ask Of
those who differ with me in opinion to re-
member tl.at I am called upon % give Iay
opinion as to what is the wisest course to be
pursued and an not called upon 70 express
the degree OF indignation with which view
the late national legislationi etIl less am
called upon to give the measure ofmy hatred
and detesfation Of the Radical party
These even within my own breast may or
may not exceed in violence the passion 81
those most bitter in their denunciatlons
but Of what avail would be such expression
Of luminosity al the present time It's Only
effect can be to I'll Us with a deeper sense OF
oar humliating condition and excite the
raerIiment of our foes, unless it be intended
to iueite TO insurrection and armed resist
snce. which of course I do not impute 10
any one. / only refer 10 the subject because
there is disposition with many to be gov
erucd by their passions rather than the dlc-
tates of reason. These passions may be JuaF-
but we cannot subject our fortunes 10 their
guidance. To reason, and TO reason alone,
belongs the mastery and the empire; heF
lIgLs Is the only light we have to guide Us,
viii. therefore, gentlemen. inrespondsns
to your call. endeayor to divest myself Of al
passion and prejudice, and give 70 the sub
ieot submitted 10 me d calm and careful con
sideratiou, asking for my conclusions favor
able reception only in so far as they may he
found predicated on established facts or be
the necessary deductions OF right reason.
can not view negro suffrage in any other
light than that of an Uumitigatsd evil, with
out the slightest tincture or alloy Of good,
leading eventually either to the extinction
of bis race upon this Continent, or through
civil commissions, to the final overthrow OF
lie Republic and the total extiuguishment
of liberty in the Western Hemisphere. be-
lieye that ali writers upon the subject OF
government both ancient and modern, have
agreed, when speaking of the spirit OF tie
Fundamental law in the various forms Of
government. that Despotism was based upon
sIay.sh fear, Monarchy upon the principle
Of honor. Republics upon the public spirit
and exalted virtue Of the people. Ii this be
true. and no one will doubt it who viii recall
to their remembrance how, step by step, as
the ancient republics progressed III corrup-
ton. they paved the way to the destruction
Of their liberties, then il follows as night the
day that when an ignorant horde Of stupid
and bcsotted men, destitute of Intelligence,
of patriotism, Of pride, and Of all exalted SEN
tiucDt, are to enjoy the elective franchise
and control the destiaies Of the Republic, its
fate is scaled, the prop which supports it Is
gone What was it but this element which,
swayed by Tibcrius Grachuss and the dem
agogues of Rome, first violated the Con
stitution, and, through succession of con-
y1llsions. led the way as well rs created the
necessity for Caesars usurpatiou2
The refined and philosophical nation of
France did net understand genuine liberty
they loved it but they failed TO maintain it.
How fitted, then, must these people be Who
yesterday were slaves, and who cannot be
made to comprehend tho difference between
forms of government. We wantno stronger
sign Of dooay, no surer evidence of the down
fall OF a Republic, than the loss among the
people Of all pride and glory in the name of
citizenship When it ceases to be an honor.
and is degraded by being conferred upon
solutions and serts alike, the exalted public
spirit which was necessary to uphold and
maintain it is gone, and in its stead rises ior
evil the spirit Of discord, turbulauce and
anarchy. Demagogueism must spring from
such a field as naturally and necessarily as
vegetation from the earth.
I--tsrrai,,i,c t,,ase ,.iav,,s -, ,ofsra,,co 4o
nero suffrage. I should urge resistance if
there was. any possible or probable method
ofdoinar SO successfrlIv. Let MS. then. louI
at our real situation, and ut the means Of re-
sistaace at our disposal We are an impov-
eIished disarmed and powerIess people. con
quered, and at the mercy of our conquerors.
Men may differ in their opinions as TO what
is or should be reserved to us of con.
stitutional right, or as to how far the Con
gress OF the United States is bound by the
obligations of the Constitution in its legis.
lation towards US, bat there can be no differ
ence Of opinion rs to orr actual situation
AT the conclusion Of the war, when the
people Of these States surrendered to the
armed forces of the United States, our People
had the right to believe from the repeated
expressions of President Lincoln and the
resolutions of Congress. that the war was
waged not for conquest or suhiuration. but
for the restoration of the Union; and this
was at that period ia all probability, the
true sentiment of the Northern mind. but as
the war progressed the public hatred in
creased. and at its termination. we found the
Legislative branch of the Government con-
+rolled by a party whose animositv towards
Us knew no bounds. and who determined the
instant we became subject 70 their r.,1,-,r to
resist and prevent any plan of rsconstruction
which did not insure the perpetnation Of
their power. as well as crafty their naIio-
rirv. We need only oIanee at their recor7
for tho last ryro var. - h, co,,,;r.ad 49,
mahgnity and lust Of power are the ruling
motives of the Radical majority IN Congress-
The Conservative party of the North aud the
President, who has executed to the fullet.
extent his constitutional power in our be-
half, have both sustained overwhelming de-
feata. and can Go nothing at present towards
or relief Congress. with an increased Rad
teal majority, is now assembled, while we