The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-03-18

and beseeched our people not to
treat it with sullen Indifference,
nor in aspirit of revenge towards
the new suffragan, but on the
contrary, by kind treatment and
friendly admonition to blaze out
the way he should go.
This is the advice we gave two
years ago. 1t is repeated with
emphasis now:
From the clarion of March q 1867.
NEGRO SUFFRAGE.
1t is golden MAJ i'm that, he who
ruleth his own spirit, is better than he
who taketh a city" A writer says.
that beyond this self-conquest, the
highest courage cannot extend; nor
does philosophy teach anything more
sublime" The brave and high-spirited
people of the South have had ample
| opportunity for the display of this
moral heroism during the eventtul
years Of the recent past. To be Knocked
in their misfortunes by a foe destitute
of magnanimity; to witness the wan
ton dissertation of their household
| gods; to behold the overthrow of their
cherished social, political and indus
trial institutions, are some of the trials
to which they have been subjected.
Having been borne down in a struggle
I of arms with foe outnumbering them
tenfold, and whose sources of warlike
supplies were inexhaustible, in bowling
to what seemed to be the stern DEGREES
of fate itself, they have exhibited the
moral heroism of self-conquest which
the wise man describes as more truly
sublime than any mere physical effort.
The recent legislation of Congress
establishing negro suffrage in these
States, devolves upon them the neCes-
sity of further display of this virtue.
Our faith is strong that in this trial
their conduct will bear evidence of the
same practical wisdom that has char
acterized their course since the over
throw of the ConfederacY.
To say that the intellect and infor-
nation of this class, are unequal to the |
very important task which has been
assigned them, is to assert what every |
candid and intelligent person will adj
NIT to be true.
The privilege of suffrage, when ex-
ercised by virtuous and intelligent
people, is to be valued as a useful part !
of the machinery of government, but |
the lessons of history are not needed |
to teach that it Is precisely the reverse,
when entrusted to the uniformed and !
licentous. To commit government to
such guidance, is like launching a ship |
upon tempestuous sea, amid rocks,
quicksands and whirlpools, without a
pilot at the helm. 1t is this considera-
ton that induced the observation of
an eminent author, that such an ex-
pertinent cannot be INDUCED by the
ignorant and uniformed without de-
stroying both their usefulness and hap.
piness. and that nature, when her UNI
erring laws thus have been violated,
provides her own cure by compelling
the sufferers to flee from the state of
anarchy they have produced to the
shelter which a monarchical govern
ment affords.
While the people of the South are
not responsible for the introduction of
this new element into the machinery
of government, they are nevertheless
to be affected by 1t; and considera-
lions of humanity and patriotism die
tate they should use every proper effort
to control it for good.
To cherish towards the innocent ne
gro a spirit of resentment would be
ungenerous and unmanly. Rather
should we feel pity for him that he has
been called to the performance of du-
ties to which his capacity is SO un-
equal. However much they who are
conspiring against our peace and hap
pines, may have striven to use him as
a convenient instrument for the ac-
eomplishment OF their ends, there is ,
everything In the relation which for
merly subsisted between us as master
and slave, and the reciprocal obliga-
lions 1t involved, to forbid that the {
former should take counsel of so igno- Z
bic feeling. We are not to forget
their fidelity as class throughout the
long and trying scenes of the war;
On the one hand tho most tempting "
Inducements TO the enjoyment OF un- :,
freedom teemIng with the
oys of life, without money and with
put price, were held out to them; on
Lhe other, were the ties of friendship
which were the growth Of long asso- r
citation In the patriarchal relation Of (
master and slave. To these ties, as -
;lAss, they were faithful to the last Z
And let II be said TO their credit that q
-housh the relation itself has been U
-udely broken up, this principle rooted il
m their very nature, still invInclble, II
Userts its supremacy. and carries the ::
Fanderer back from the scenes OF the ~
ieeting loya which have turned TO b
ishes on his lips. TO the old homestead 81
n search Of those who had made Il a,
lear 10 them In brighter and happier :,
lays. Alas, they have not found the -
ITaneries and store-houses filed with 9
be good cheer that once gladdened n,
heir hearts, but they have found that
shfch misfortune could not take
'~sy--ths warm greeting Of kind and -,
ympsthetie hearts. "
Let Ha accept negro suffrage az an I,
ssFitabls tset, not 20 be resented with Va
n pesent malice, nor 20 be trea ted with m'