The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1868-06-22
Holmes Cotlftfy.
IrrrNf.roN. Miss, June 10; 1St


in the State do we see through the columns
of your excellent paper, most cheering ac-
counts of Democratic success and gains.
And shall no voice from the good old county
of Holmes proclaim to the triumphant
legions of our party throughout the State
our success hereg Yesterday was day
long to be remembered by the citizens of
this county. The illustrious Barry, COM
monty called General, and who was dele
gate to the Black and Tan Convention from
this county addressed his colored constitu
ents here in defense of the Constitution,
and in advocacy of his claims to the office
OF State Senator, he being the Republican
nominee for that position of sacred trust
Early yesterday morning some OF our best
citizens, white and black, waited upon Hon
John j. Hooker, and requested him to divide
time with Barry aud support our side of
the question. To this he consented. Soon
Barry arrived preceded by guard of Fed
eral soldiers Mr. Editor, as the Radicals
say in support OF negro suffrage, the world
moves" Did any man dream ten years ago
that candidate for office in this country
would support his claims to the free and
voluntary suffrage of his fellow-citizens by
the bayonets of the military Things
change. ''Ihe acorld mOues 20 IT'S a politi-
cal as well as an astronomical truth that the
world revolves-changes sides and phases
Where was the necessity of this military es
cort.
Our citizens did not mediate armed vio-
lence. Nothing of the kind was intended.
We are a peaceable and order-loving peo-
pie, and all We asked was free discussion
of the leading political questions of the
day. But this man knew that he had wrong
ed and injured this people, and presumed
that their just indignation was excited
IA guilty conscience needs accuser."-
Barry, much TO his chagrin, had to consent
to a fair division of time, and opened the
discussion in speech of an hour and half
in length. He said nothing worth comment
ing upon. The substance of his speech was
vote against the Democracy ard for the
Constitution the Democrats are not your
friends" He made a flimsy and weak argu-
ment, scarcely attempting to defend the in
famous instrument with which he seeks to
yoke this people, and drive them to their
own ruin This man seemed cOced, and an
Intelligent freedman standing near HIM, as
serted that he fairly hentbled in his boOtsl"
Had it not been for his unnecessary and in
sulting allusion TO Lees soldiers everything
might have passed off quietly. But he said
that all of Lees army, who took the parole
oath to support the Constitution of the
United States, and all tdlCs passed, and VINO
now opposed the Reconstruction acts, were
political perjureTs."
Now why did not Barry have the honesty
and manlIness to give the full wording of
the oath, which was to Support the COnsti-
tuition of the United States, aud all laws
passed in pursuance hereOf?" We hold that
the Reconstruction acts are unconstitutional
and hence no perjury is committed in OPP
posing them. veteran of Lees army could
not stand such an assertion, and arose and
denounced Barry as cd d-n liar p This
he took without word, only evincing by
his deep blush of shame, his sense of his want
of courage. Two of the soldiers, however.
cooked their guns and an excited freedman
seeing them, cried out the ominous word,
SCATTER" and never did freedmen obey a
command more literally. They scattered
in every direction. Order was at length re-
stored, however, and no body hurt.
Mr.. Hooker followed Barry, and his ad-
dress was plain, practical and convincing.
He endeavored to adapt himself to the un-
derstanding of his hearers and the admra-
bic way in which he did this, was conclusive
proof of his own strength of mind. He is a
pleasant and impressive speaker, and a
logical and cogent reasoner. His analysis
and expose of the Constitution about to be
voted upon, was ingenious and masterly.-
He carried conviction to the minds of many
poor Ignorant negroes, who came here Radi-
calls. There was vein of earnestness in his
manner particularly striking, which coupled
to his natural tluency appealed to the sympa-
thies of the negro, while it convinced his
Judgment. The negroes listened with mark
ed attention, and you could have seen from
their mods of assent, that they were waver-
ing. Barry followed Mr.. Hooker, and if he
said anything, have forgotten it. His re-
marks certainly amounted to nothing. 1t
had been announced that he proposed to de-
fend himself against the charges which had
been preferred against him. Yet oil he said
in regard to them was that if they were true,
why had he not been indicted? Did he not
know that he could only have been indicted
where he committed the offences? And why
leave us to infer that he had fed Justice?
DIR. w. ii. Williams aud j. Z. Gwin, ESQ.,.
then addressed the crowd, and spoke some
telling words. They are, respectively, our
democratic candidates for the Senate and
House, and though young men, are both men
of talent and much promise. A negro then
was called upon, who exhausted Webster's
vocabulary and stepped beyond it; and al
though some of the words did not fit yet
he announced himself Democrat, and adj
vlsed all to vote the ticket. And thus ended
the day. Democratic negroes were to be
seen among the crowd, electioneering. A
division was certainly made in their ranks,
and Holmes will poll respectable negro
vote against the Constitution Our people
are now alive TO the issues and dangers of
the hour, and have thrown off the political
lethargy which had settled upon them In
telligence and virtue aOiU rule. Let us then
take courage. Already rainbow span of
hope gilds the political horizon. There is
better day dawning, and close at hand. when
the material interests of the South will be
advanced. and peace and security will reign
IN every household. party never did long
exist stepped in corruption and fraud, even
though backed by bayonets and the strong
arm OF the military. Let us then teach the
negro that ace are his friends; let US draw "a
distinction between our treatment of him
and fthe carpet-baggers let us treat him
kindly and justly, and give to him all the
rights TO which he is entitled, and the = -
ner of Democracy will soon 40" .u;, o"
ly over us .,-g~i Ai-.sU triumphant
j..
-.angs along the VicksbsIrg and
I Meridian Railroad. ~