The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-11-18
Address.

From the l0tn DAY or May, 1865, the Gate
on which the constitution framed by the
Constitutional Convention of Mississippi in
accordance with the reconstruction acCs of
Congress, WAS submitted to the people, to
the 22d of june. the date on which the cleo
ton for IT'S ratification or rejection was au-
thorized to be held, there existed through
out a greater part of the State reign of
terror. Loyal and peaceable citizens were
driven from their homes, threatened with
violence and death. Public speakers, by
threats and intimidations, were prevented
from meeting their appointments, or were
driven from the stand by lawless mobs. An
organization of armed and disguised men,
calling itself KuKiux Khan. perambulated
the country by night. committing outrages
and murders, defying detection or being
made no effert to bring them to punishment.
The poor. dependent classes of our loyal fell
low-citiZens were threatened with starva-
ton, with discharge from service, with viO-
lence and death. if they failed TO vote in ac-
cOrianee with the dictates of their dislOyal
employers, said employers ha bitually de-
noEncing the Congress of the United States
as an unconstitutional and revolutionary
body of men that ought to be dispersed by
force or otherwise.
By brides, threats, Misrepresentation, fraud
and violence thousands of our fellOw-citizens
were coerced into voting against their will
and against their honest convictions of right
and duty, or were forced to withhold their
votes altogether. Many have been murder
ed. ARd disfrdnchiSed people, tcho had for
feited all their just rights as citizens By conspr-
inc b. GTpled force 10 thrOlo of their allegiance
to the gOUeThnent of the United States, stood
guard at the polls to overawe the timid and
mark for future condemnation and perse-
cution all those whs defied their tyranny.
In many counties the state of affairs here
in enumerated prevailed to such an extent
that there existed not even the semblance of
free election. This malignant and- un-
scrupulous opposition to the generous terms
of reconciliation offered by Congress. and
against the upholders and supporters of the
same, has. in our opinion, no just excuse,
and can be founded only in a desire to harass
the public mind by parading before it issues
long since settled by the sword and which
ought now TO be forgotten.
In view of these and other facts known TO
your honorable body, it is apparent that
Mississippi ought not to be excluded flom
the Union on account of the violence aud
fraud practiced by dislOval persons within
her boundaries. who have shown themselves
inimical to her true interests, and who are
| intent upon breeding discomfort and dis
couraging all attempts AZ restoring law and
order for the sole purpose Of gratifying malice
and revenge, or with the hope If promoting
selfish ends through the confusion and dis
tress of the people OF the State.
1t "a further our candid belief, founded
upon close observation and intimate rpla-
| tiOns with the people of the State that il is
tae deSFe q tdFge Ee!10ftty ~ our tefIDtc- cat
teens that the ct0te shall Be readnsitted into the
| Union under the constellation framed bu the con-
stitationdI convention Of MississipDs and the
officers elected in accordance therewith; and
| that this will of the people has been mani
| Tested wherever fair and free election or
expression OF sentiment has been declared
and 70 this end we make our appeal to the
Congress of the United States. whose right
and duty it Is to uphold the will of the D@o-
pie and protect then in all their just rights.
1t has been great cause OF embarrass-
| ment to the loyal people Of Mississippi that
disloysl people. and people disqualified nm
der the fourteenth amendment of the Con-
tinued in Office. and their opposition TO rpcs,n-
strucsion thereby encouraged, for so long as
the lease of Office to this class Of persons is
dependent upon deferred reconstruction
will they be interested in opposing any
measure tor restoring the State that may be
proposed
Resonu1Aon&.
Whereas, The Congress Of the United
States IN the sole Legislative authority Of the
nation which can decide upon the recon
eerucfion OF civil government OF the several
States lately In rebellion: and, whereas. that
body has passed certain laws known as the
rDcnnsfruction measures, and clothed the
nsonle Of the State OF Mississippi without
regard 10 color or previous condition. with
"a equal right 70 participate In the forma-
ton of civ II government for said Staee;
and. whereas Convention OF the people OF
the 6fare Rf Mississippi. elected In pnrsu-
anne or fIiubs beta, did assemble In the city
nf Ian5xMnH and Esrr4 4 aos ~ kuEfoa Of oiVf1