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

Lomgsfreef's Appoint
memf...Hfs Significance.
The appointment of General
Longstreet to be Surveyor of
Customs in New Orleans is a
favorable augury for the So ut,
whatever may be said of other
signs displayed by the new Ad-
ministration, which are regarded
as of evil omen.
Gen. Longstreet was the most
trusted and successful of General
Lees lieutenants, Stonewall Jack
son excepted; and from the be-
ginning to the ending of the great
warm storm and sunshine he bore
himself with a heroism which
compelled admiration and dehed
criticism. He surrendered only
when his peerless leader decided
that further resistance was hope
less and unreservedly acknowI-
edged the authority of the con-
queror over the territory OF the
Confederacy. His conduct since
the surrender in advising COM
formity to the laws of the Union,
was simply a logical consequence
of the capitulation at Appomat-
tox; and is an illustration of the
higher degree Of human wisdom
which subordinates passion to
reason and makes the best that
is possible of circumstances which
cannot be avoided.
1t is said that Gen. Longstreet
favored the election Of General
Grant, having faith in the mag
| nanimity Of the conqueror who
interposed his influence between
Gen. Lee and other Confederate
leaders and the execution of the
demand of Mr.. Johnson for their
trial and punishment. We do not
know whether this is true or not.
| But we do know that an eXtenua
ting fact in this very case, l.
found in the Reputation by the
Democratic party of General
Blair's idea that it would be the
duty of the President elect TO get
I rid of the reconstruction laws 10y
crushing them under the heel o.
the army, and by the declaration
of Mr.. Seymour that if elected
he could not prevent their execu
ton, and would not attempt it
and that their repeal would bt
impossible with one, if not boil
branches of Congress under Re
publican control during his en-
tire term.
No man will presume to class
Gen. Longstreet with the clan o.
despicable renegades who are
known as scalawags, and whose
treachery is marked by their con
federacy with Loyal Leaguers
and with the self-seeking adven.
turers whose creed is the ostra
cism Of Southern men.
The recognition of the claims
to consideration of the large class
of Southern men of whom Long
street is an illustrious representa-.
tive, by the President elect,should
be hailed with qualification. Who
of Mississippi's sons would find
occasion for the indulgence of I'M
kind feelings towards the Presi'
dent or his appointee, if for in
stance, the Office of Provisional
Governor were at this time co
ferred upon FeatherstOn, Wal
thall Adams, Martin, Lowry, Har-
ris, Jayne or any other Of her
trusted leaders on the battlefield?
Who uttered a word of complaint
against Judge Sharky or Gov. Per
ry, for accepting Office at the hands
of President johnson at the very
moment he was advertising Mr..
Davis as a felon, in order to
wound the sensibilities of his
countrymen, and TO load them
with insult in their helplessness,
and when the decree was escap-
ing his lips that treason must be
made odious-traitors must be
punished-their property con.
fiscated-their social power de-
stroyed? ?"