Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1869-12-25
lEeLEoT b oFFICIAL nUTY.


The people of Mississippi have
been cursed quite long enough, it
seems to Us, not only with ineGi-
cient officers, but with those who,
when even partially qualified to
gil the positions assigned them,
by the military power, are con.
stantly neglecting the varied du-
ties OF their official stations. They
have borne this great wrong, un.
der the circumstances, with com.
mendable patience, and it is time
some remedy should be applied to
this great and growing evil, We
are, tits confidently believed, soon
to be under . civil government,
by the Constitution Of which most
Of the important offices are to be
filed by Executive appointment.
In the name Of all that is just and
honorable; in the name of the
people, oppressed as they now
are by heavy taxation, much Of
which goes to pay the salaries Of
ND min office, who hold their sta.
tons and draw their pay
Governor Alcorn, give us
men who are not only ca.
pGble but willing to perform
their duty, conscientiously, and
in good faith, both to the Execu-
tive and the people. We live in a
practical age, and one in which
time is a little too precious to be
thrown away, as a worthless trifle.
The time and labor of the citizen
are, just now, a little too valuable
to be sQuandered on account Of
the neglect of duty, on the part Of
those who are in high or low Off.
cial station, and dressed in a lit
tie brief authority" Under the
new Constitution, the appoint.
ments to be made by the Governor
Of this State, are many and impor,
tant. The duty will be a most re.
sponsible and delicate one, and
will demand, and we trust, will
receive the deep consideration Of
the appointing power. In no de.
partment of the Government of
State will these observations more
fully apply, than in the judicial.
And although a coordinate
branch Of the machinery, it is re-
specially submitted, that it is
quite equal in Importance to the
other two departments. Let US
then have in the judicial posi-
tons, men Of intelli gence,
moral courage, worth and
sufficient capacity and men who
are willing to do their whole duty,
at all times, and under all circum.
stances.
And further, because an officer,
by military appointment or other
wise, is now holding an Office in
the State, let it not be presumed,
as a matter of course, that he Is
qualified to fill, or ought longer to
be retained in it. We hope ap-
p~ointments will not be made, on
this theory. The State will be
honored by a good judiciary, it
will not prosper by a bad one
and We feel assured, that proper
appointments, made in a generous
tone and spirit, will give strength
and permanency to the new gov
ernment,' restore the dignity be.
longing to law, peace and order,
and ensure the confidence of the
people and their protection. II
was the expression of one Of the
early founders ofthis Government,
and who was not more distin.
guished for his abilities 90 q states.
man, than for his deep researches
in philosophy-that Error ceas-
90 to be dangerous, when reason
is left free to combat it."
"TURNABOUT Is FAIR PLAY"
The Memphis Sun complains that
negroes are arriving in that city
from Mississippi, upon every train,
10 take part in the elections soon
to take place there. Tennessee
furnished her full quota Of voter,