The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-09-02

UIl Int pfODdDiC dppAN1--c-A - -
oath iniquity to Virginia, and the proba-
bility of its application 10 Mississippi, also
seems to have fallen into the idea of an
other contemporary that it viii leave the
people no other alternative but to vote
down the constitution. And it further
says:
We would like TO ask our Political breth- |
rem. " no have gone into the "CohseTFailNe |
Republican movement srladt they are going |
n d. should it turn out to be an established !
verify thar the powers that be nave taken
tne chute above indicated anu thdt Liiere |
T. nothing 70 be giiued but ia fact every /
rEino 10 s. lost. be co-operation with the
Conservative. or National L MON Republl- |
can? - Will il not then be absolutely nee
essary for as 70 hold Convention ana adopt
the course pointed out BIZ the Nstchez Dem
ocrat We hope orr Conservative friends,
and especially our metropolitan contempt
rary, the Jackson CLARION, viii give US
full, frank answer"
Our opinion Is, that if the Military
Commander indicates his purpose to exact
the iron-clad oath of members who will
hold their seats by virtue of constitu-
ton which will contain no such test, that
it should nevertheless not in the least
alter the policy heretofore distinctly
marked out by the National Republicans
and Conservatives. The rule will apply
only to the members of the first Legisla-
ture which will assemble under the new
Constitution Before the second Legis-
lature shall have been chosen, the militia
~ authority viii have been withdrawn,
and the state government put into regu-
lar operation under the provisions of the
new Constitution, shorn of its proscrip-
tive tests. 1t will be far better for the
people to subject themselves to the in
convenience Of selecting iron-clad mem
| bers to the first Legislature, than to pro-
long the present military despotism which
has all the detestable features of pros
criptive radicalism without any Of the
benefits Of civil government.
Therefore, if Ames determines to ex-
act this test, the effect will be in electing
members of the Legislature to contract
the list from which selections are to be
made. Properly construed, the recon-
struction acts disqualify none except
those who are ineligible under the 18th
amendment, and in the absence of an ar
bitrary rule enforcing the iron-clad test,
we would select the candidates from the
wide field left open by those measures.
But if not permitted to do so, let us elect
men in reference to whose eligibility no
question can be raised
As we have said before, if we vote the
proscriptive clauses out of the PROPOSED
constitution, the inconvenience will be
but temporary.
In making choice of agents at the
coming election, it should be borne in
mind that personal preferences and the
motive to reward favorites, are not to be
considered. Selections are to be made
solely with reference to the public SER
vice. Our people are impoverished po-
litically as well as materially. They are
too feeble to punish enemies, and they
are too poor to reward friends.
Hard as the rule will be, if exacted,
let us conform to it in order to be rid of
the hideous despotism Of Ames, and, TO
close up the question of Reconstruction,
which our fanatical enemies would rejoice
to have kept open for their especial use
in the next Presidential election. 1t is
for this reason that our Northern friends
are advising us to be wise in season and to
make the best of the circumstances in
which we are placed.
The Liberal Republican press at the
North, with the New York Tribune and
The Times at their head, are almost
unanimous against the proposal of Candy
to exact the iron-clad test in Virginia,
and we are encouraged to hope that it
viii yet be abandoned as to V irginia, and
not required Of Mississippi but in the
event it should be enforced, it will furnish
no occasion for abandoning the plan
heretofore indicated. 1t lin its the range
from which members are to be chosen.
That's all. No minor obsta lie should be
permitted to come between the determi-
nation of the people to restore civil gov
and the accomplish lment of that
paramount aim. 10 cote DOM the Con-
stitutioH, as to continue the rule of
Ames acih no hope Of better terms,
and practically this as ,corse than the
installation Of Eggleston. The rule
of Ames is simply no law at all ex-
cept the will of weak, malignant and
selfish dictator, who forbids the privi-
lege of the writ of Habeas Corpus. Who
denies the right of trial by jury. Who
prohibits the people from having a voice
IN the selections of their agents. Who
makes point to put strangers, (save in
exceptional cases) on those who have
made themselves object enable and who
keeps his appointees in office Gas in the
OF the Rankin county officials
whose crimes are notorious?
Inasmuch as the Eagle has asked for
. full and frank" declaration from
The CLARION, We have deemed it proper
TO say this much in reply, and further to
add, that this jour nal, whatever others
may Go, does not intend to stultify its
record, and to outr' lge its convictions of
duty by advoeatn lg a policy, the direct
effect of which would be, if successful,
to continue the yoke of this ubiquitous
dynasty on the necks of the people of
Mississippi.