American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-05-01
%, CANTON. MISS.
SATURDAY, MAY l, 1860.
The position of the State of Missis-

The position of the State of Missis-
sippi, relative to her political sur
rouud,rgs; Is at the present time of
an anomalous character. Never, pei
haps, since the foundation of prim.
erval government, has an exactly
siRilar situation ever been held by
any people. Last year, while con-
quered, bound hand and foot, seem
inglS at the mercy Of their enemies,
they rose mp, almost as one man,
and destroyed the secret organiza-
ton of that enemy and defeated the
iniluitOus measure which was il :
sended to have been their law. En-
eluded from participation in the
national elections, she found the
Overwhelming majority of Democrats,
Nhiclt she contained, perfectly use
less, unable to strike blow for the
general good.
Now, she finds the ponderous ma
jority of the Radical party-which
she had feared would cause her so
much more injury, by additional
special legislation, and would drive
her children even to the outer wall.
In the spite of unjust partisan bitter
ness-recedipg from their former
spirit of hate and revenge, and seek
ing to conciliate our people by offer.
ing them as fair terms as could he
expected from the conqueror to the
conquered. We say that the terms
Ire rs fair as could be expected, and
they are; and we deem it the wisest
thing that our people can do will he
to pursue a course in accordance
with the spirit manifested by tile
passage of the new reconstruction
bill.
That bill shows a spirit of modera-
ton, which the past conrse of the
party now dominant had given us
little reason to expect; aud We must
meet that spirit half way; We must
forget some of our past beliefs which
the events of the last four years have
exploded, aud accept the inevitable
With grace.
Congress has declared that our
people shall lave free and fair elec
rion-an opportunity to vote down
the odious clauses of the proposed
constitution and there are many
good men of the Republican party
IN this State who have been instru-
mental-in fact the prime motive
powcr--in inducing Congress to
make this declaration. Then, when
we have ascertained at what time
the constitution will be submitted to
the people, let us call public meet
ings, and Invite all men of conserva-
tive endencies-men who arc will
ing to forget parties aud partisan
interests-fOr the common veal, for
the benefit of our whole people-tO
take council aud co operate with us
in the great work of restoring our
State once more 60 her proper posi-
ton in the Federal Government
Let us form n party out of tire bes
material of tho two parties recently
contenaing in this Stltes.-the kCsl
est, honorable men of each-let II,
reject the obnoxious portions of thu
constitution, aud accept it in such al
amended form as will make it JUS
and equitable; and then let us NOM
nate and elect our best and ~ises
men, both native and immigrant
without regard to former party ties
to the Legislature, and let them de
termine as to the adoption or rejec
tion of the fifteenth amendment
Should they see fit to adopt it, let IL
accept it willingly and IN good faith
for whether we take it or not cannot
affect us materially-for it will b
ratified by two thirds of the fire.
States, and then become a rationa
law anyhow; and should We opros
IL, our opposition will furnish IL,
Ultras and Proscriptionists with tia
argument that we are irrecOncilaUlt
- and that Congress must enact NOR
fgid measures for cur rcconstmC
ton; whereas, should We accept il
and gracefully submit to what W
cannot avert, it will not material
Interfere with our affairs-for negr
suffrage, the main feature of tn
amendment, is established dc fdctt
and, although it may not be- dc jur,
IL viii continue to be n part of on
franchise system, and we had as we
accept it, and thereby sectirc' tia,
much desired result Of enfranehisin
the many good citizens in our mids
&h0 are now excluded froaa the ba
lot; and, then, when we send on
Representatives to tho Federal Cor
gross, we will, in d manner, contrC
our own affairs, and have a voice /
the national legislation, and on
State will once more be free.
~ From n private letter from th
University ut Oxford, we learn tina
the storm which passed over that \,
gion did considerable damage to Il,
property belonging to the State I'm
versity, destroying many of the beau
titul shade trees, and tearing Il,
roof entirely of the chapel. Our il
formant says that the energetic tru,
tees will soon have the damage /,
paired.
VI. Rich6ttc, of lrarseillcs, France
with six French laborers, has gon
to plant olives in LouiSiana. n
.mnarries the Eeed, and also cuttings !