The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-04-29
THE BALL OPENED INRANKIN:
Total Route oruhe Carpct-Bnssers:
Resolutions unanimously adolted on he RAT
Igya or Constitution that tciH secure
tie .'cirH and political rights
Of al persons!
BRANDON. April y, 1859.

BRANDON. April -, lsG9.
Mr.. Editor Agreeably To adjournment
last Saturday, the meeting assembled to-day
At the Court House, to receive the report OF
the Committee on Resolutions, which was
composed OF six white and six colored mem
hers.
At an early hour the freedmen began TO
assemble, and about ii o'clock there appear
ed on the street, JiA Lynch, Henry Mayson
and II. I. Fisher, of Jackson, all of whom
no doubt thought their valuable services
were needed TO aid the people OF the Free
State in demonstrating themselves"
/ The meeting was called TO order, and in
the absence of the chairman, Judge Catch
/ ings, Hon. VIM. c. Harper was called on to
preside. On taking the chair, he explained
that the meeting was called for the purpose
of taking action on resolutions prepared by
! a Committee of white and colored men APP
pointed at a previous meeting, and then
called for the reading of the resolutions -
The Chairman of that Committee, Gen.
Robert Lowry read the resolutions, and
stated that they had been adopted by joint
committee of white and colored men. with
out dissenting voice.
A motion was made 10 adopt them, and
was carried. There being a few dissenting
voices. Col Shelby proposed that those
who didn't understand them, or objected
might have a chance to state their objec-
tons.
Jim Lynch being present, having come TO
make a speech and fan the flame of discord.
as he did heretofore, was too glad to avail
himself of the opportunity, and he did so
in a most elaborate speech OF things geuer-
ally, Jutbe did not pretend 10 discuss me reso-
buttons.
Col w. Il. Shelby next took the iloor and
for about an hour and half poured hot
shot into Lynch, Fisher the Committee of
Five, and the Committee of Sixteen, with
such terrible effect as to make Lynch screw
and twist about as if there were an ants
nest in the bottom of his chair. and to make
Fisher SO thirsty that he was compelled to
visit the Gem" several times during the
bomb3rdment. Col. Shelby asked Lynch if
he had not stated, in a speech made last sum
mer, that he was opposed TO the disfran-
chisement clause in the new Constitution.
Jim refused to answer. The question was
repeated again and again, but Jim hung his
head in sullen silence. The Colonel told
him he should answer the question, rs he
had just stated to the colored people, with n
view of misleading them, that the new Con-
sttution did not contain a DISTINGUISHING
clause. Jim finally "caved," after terrible
effort to dodge the question.
At the conclusion of Col. Shelby's speech,
Fisher arose to respond, but Lynch, asked
Fisher to give way and let him reply TO Col.
Shelby, which Fisher accordingly did, evil
IDENTIFY acknowl edging Lynch's superiority.
No person with any sense OF proprety,
would have again intruded himself on an
audience that had courteously permitted
him to speak in meeting where he had no
business, but Jim again pitched in on the
downfall of the Roman Empire. and after
consuming another hour, wound up with
appeals to the passions and prejudices of the
colored people.
4 vote on the resolutions was then asked,
but the crowd called for Gen. Lowry, and
that gentleman finally came forward and
stated that he merely wished to PROFOUND a
few questions to Lynch. Gen. Lowry then
asked him if he did say last summer that he
was opposed to the DISTINGUISHING clauses i'm
the constitution? He answered, yes Also,
if he did not, nevertheless, tell the cOlored
people to vote for it? He answered, yes
Gen. Lowry then read "A resolution of the
Committee, and asked Jim if he was for it
or against it! Jim said nothing. lie repeat
ed the question, and would allow of no
lodging. Jim at last replied. "let my acts
speak for me- This resolution was in the
exact language of Gen. Grant, expressing
desire TO see the State government organized
so as to secure the civil and political rights
Of ALL men! but yet Lynch would not adj
nit it was right. Gen. Lowry then told
him that he was hypocrite, who had come
to the State with the avowed purpose of
preaching the Gospel, but who had spent
his time in stirring up strife and dssensions
between the races. Jim wriggled and
squirmed, jumped up, sat down, turned
round, gritted his teeth, and finally took his
hat and left.
The vote was taken and the preamble and
resolutions were adopted with but one dis
senting vote-sOme say not onel
On reading them, you will perceive they
are fair, honest and just exactly in the
proper spirit to restore peace to the country.
The meeting passed of quietly, and
though large, good order was observed.
Every pains was taken to show these wolves
in sleeps clothing that however great the
contempt all decent people feel for them, yet
in public discussions they shall DE treated
courteously and their persons protected
from violence.
Fisher is to speak here before long.
Without an accident, he will be replied to
and his testimony before the reconstruction
committee reviewed, &c.
1t is understood that because Rankin is
against Prescription and Tor the Equal
Rights Of all, that her people are to be hu-
inflated, and her offices filed with carpet
baggers and scallawags. We arc going TO
attend to our own affairs-obey the law
and keep the peace-but standing on the
doctrine of the resolutions adopted, we
| intend to contend every inch of ground
| with all corners and outsiders who are per-
4 fectly welcome to all they can make in the
FREE STATE.
/ SENTIMENT OF RANKIN COUNTY COUNTY
AT MEETING OF WHITE AND COLoRED
! CITIZENS, APRIL 2GTH, 1863.
! Whereas. The Constitution heretofore
submitted to the people of Mississippi for
| doption.or rejection, having been rejected
l by majority of over 1000 votes, because
of its unjust and Odicus features and
whereas the committee known as the Com
mittee of Five" appointed by the Conven-
ton that framed the defeated Constitution
issued their proclamation. declaring anC
proclaiming that the Constitution wa
adopted. the reverse of which all fair-mindeC
men knew and acknowledged; and where
as, the Radical party, or that portion of il
acting in concert with the Committee o
Five" subsequently met I'm the city ofJaek
son, assuming to be the loyal people o
Mississippi, in Convention assembled, anC
there solemnly declared that the Constitu
ton was ratified, and appointed a committee
to proceed to Washington and lay befor
Congress their declarations. and Mhereas