The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1867-03-28
From NorsI. mississippi.

|
porrant to hear the opinions Of all, as it IS
the duty Of all to speak in reference TO mea-
sures winch are Esw Submitted to our cOnsid-
Grafton. Experience is the great teacher, and
Reason the reliable guide for man. but in
this day the former has lost its influence and
the latter the road that leads to knowledge.
In the past we were taught to look to the
great and good of our land as beacons to di-
rect us through the quicbsauds and breakers
of sectionaIism and fnaticism, but the
time has arrived when chart and compass
are discarded, and the ship of State is dri-
ven before the storm with no lights by
which to steer her to the haven of safety,
Thus situated without compass or chart, or
sun or moon, or star to direct Us, the 9ugges-
tions of the foolish are about as reliable as
the reasoning Of the wise For these rca-
sons have concluded to submit TO the pub
lie my views In reference to the course we
should pursue as regards the late acts of Con-
gress known as the Military Bill and the
Constitutional amendment.
Before proceeding further I would state
that as a member of the Legislature of our
State I have hut few weeks since voted .
against the Constitutional amendment, but il !
COMES up now in a different form and differ /
emily associated, l voted against it mainly .
upon the ground that it was not presented .
/ rs an uHimattta. 1t is now presented in that /
/ form. Under the late act Of Congress we are /
! placed under the principles of that amend I
ment whether we adopt it or not.
/ There are not probably a thousand voters /
]
measures just On the other hand we would
be safe in saying that nine-teuths Of our
voters, if left to a free exercise of the elective
franchise, would pronounce them unjust,
/ illiberal and despotic. Totally unworthy
the countenance or adoption of a free people,
and alike dsgraceful to the people who
would impose them upon a suhjugated ma
ton, and to a government claiming to be
the embodiment Of civilization and Christi
anity. But the justice or wisdom of those
measures are not submitted to our considera
ton. There is only one thing for US to
decide. Is it polite for Mississippi to adopt
them If they are unwise the bitter ashes
of repentance and remorse viii be upon
the lips and consciences Of those who pre-
sent them. If they are dishonorable, pos
terity viii mantle with shame the cheeks Of
those who impose them upon a downtroddcu
and Il helpless people Disgraceful terms
dishonor those alone who propose them.
In determining our course, we have simply
to determine whether the measures now
submitted are the best terms we can expect
from our c,nquerors. In coming to our con
illusions we have no rules by which to be
governed but the history Of the United
States Government towards us since the
SURRENDERED our armies. At the close of the
war the Radical party, although in the
ascendan. in Congress, was under the in
Guerce # men who seemed to have some
regard for Justice and honor Previous to the
surTende, under the clustering influence of
, Leland Johnston, and BcauTegard and jack
sontheiImaduess was Iasbed into decencyand
their despotism into clemency, but the mel
lowing Influence of fjar has been removed,
{ and we ind them gradually growing more
eNacting-gradually moro despotic, and
reckless in their legislation and policy
towards us. Like the ship when it is drawn
in the influence Of the fearful maclstrom.
; every circle we perform brings us nearer the
: fearfulTock which awaits our destruction.
! Every Congress is more radical than the one
which preceded it. Every year finds the
NorthGn people more fanatical and IN
= charitable in their feelings towards as Two
years more and this same party who are
planning our destruction viii elect a presid-
ent, If that period arrives and finds our
status underlined, our utter ruin and over
throw viii speedily follow.
Without celebrating the facts and rea-
sonirgs adduced, l can but deem it the duty
OF our State to adopt the Constitutional
Amendment as speedily as possible. BY
pursuing this course we viii not be annoyed
| by the military but a short while. and if
every voter VIII come forward and discharge
his duty have no fears OF the consequence
But suppose we determine upon a differ
emit policy. Do we better our condition
2 Are We not rather subjected to all the evils
Of those measures and at the same time de-
! priyed of the small benefits they confer
The Objectionable features are prescription
aud negro suffrage. The advantages are (if
adopted) restoration to the Union, represeu-
$ tation and tAe removal of the military Let
no one imagine that we can avoid the obi
Gus features Of these measures by refusing
to adopt them. You have the prescription,
YOU have the military, iyou have negro SUIT
frage any way.
9 Next fan when our elections come of, the
e the same restrictions viii be thrown around
e the ballot.box that you are required to adopt.
/ By.adopting these we may avoid the cl agrin
| and modification of finally having to sub
1 nit TO universal prescription of all men who
e participated in the rebellion, and the confs
I cation of our property. If 4 few of the
Southern States were to adopt these meas
uTes, and elect and send forward their repre-
2 sentatives to Congress, we would be able, by
the assistance of our noble President. to check
this wild fanatieal legislation.
Argument in this emergency is worth
? nothing. The speedy adoption of the policy
r contained in those measures seems to be q
/ conclusion TO which all men arrive without
argument 1t Is so palpabIy our interest.
? that all seem to arrive at the same conelu-
sions as by intuition. The views as herein
expressed, have been submitted to many of
the best men in North Mississippi, and have
yet TO meet dissenting voice. The writer
is prescribed by these measures.
CRISIS.
The Richmond Wing indorses the course
OF Wade Hampton aud other prominent
South Carolinians. as indicated at the Col
umbia meeting of freedmen on Monday last
and urges the people of Virginia to adopt
promptly course of conduct calculated to
bring about harmony between the white and
colored elements of the population.
!
In Georgia the work of reconstruction i
going satisfactorily on
Gen Dick Taylor, who went from New Or
leans to see the President on the subjeot.of
reconstruction, had an interview with him
on the question He was informed that the
law would undonhtadl,- Ia - -