The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-02-10

MAM ~@AL&ABON &MAAAt GE.
We are surprised to see number Of oul
mississippi contemporaries, since our political
i discontinue. EnduIging q strain Of fault-
finding, and even denunciation against those
whom they term @the jackson Clique
Even some that entered the lists in the late
canvass as supporters of the Conservative
Republican movement are now sg0ing
BACK upon their friends--those with whom
| they stood in the contest. Ii the views OF
the editors of such journals, indfyiduallv
ulo NOT coincide with others as to the ex-
pedIency Qf the proposed course, by sup
porting IT. they anyhow made virtual ac-
acknowledgements that it was the best that
could be done under the circumstances.
Or. II they declare that they took such
step az the outset with great misgiving,
fearing IL would miscarry. they stand con-
victed by their own conduct of Welding
their own opinions to what they deemed
the superior judgment Of the leaders in the
Conservative Republican movement.
be this as 1t may, it i'll becomes those who
gave countenance and support TO the mea-
sures TO cry out now in denunciation Of those
who proposed them. By espousing the
cause they became particeps crnafnis. The
excuse that they disapproved at the outset
VIII not serve, except To make the matter
appear in worse light for them. They
should have followed the dictates of their
own Judgment, if they were so well salts
ned that the Conservative Republican move
ment would not do. They should have
stood with the Bakers half Dozen i'm
practicable Democrats, rather than to have
sided with the Clique" in the Conservative
movement. 1t might be expected OF the un-
compromising impraeticab1es to vent their
displeasure in some sort, now, after the fail
ure of the conservative movement Rur IL
comes with bad grace from those who gave
Jealous support TO it. We cannot recognize
it as generous or becoming, now that the
cause failed TO say they knew all the time
it would not do" that it was a ''ruinous
policy"
Wedo not propose to discuss. here. wheth-
err the movement in the late canvass was
wise one or not, though we had the conduct
OF many who now cry out against ir to the
effect that IL tcGs best. Had the same vigor
been exhibited throughout the State, the
same earnestness of purpose. the same ac-
tivity and zeal been displayed. as was done
by those who are now denounced as the
Clique the Conservative movement would
have been success. OF this there can be
no question. And whether it were better
that this movement should have succeeded, |
or for the Radicals to have swept every
thing before Them we can now have no |
choice. Once we did have choice. The |
season passed unprOfited by, and now we /
have the consequences. God grant that /
those consequences be not what we well |
have reason tU fear.
For our own part, we have nothing to re- |
greet in our course during the late canvass /
We accepted the Conservative Republican /
platform and candidates, the least of |
two evils,-as the very best that could then |
be done. 1t would have been impracticable /
who can doubt it ?-had we attempted a |
Democratic victory. For, even had such
ticket as best suited US In all respects been
carried, it would not have been carried, it |
would not have been acceptable, and would |
have resulted in just what we now have
In the election OF a Democratic ticket, there
would only have been Radical triumph
Or, had it been recognized at all by the par
ty in power that the State had gone Demo-
cratic, we would have been only remanded
again to the tender care of Brevet Major
General Ames and his wolves.
There can be no other conclusion arrived
at from a calm, unparalleled review of the
canvass and the contemplation ofthe results.
We have nothing to regret in our action,
the movement inaugurated by
those who are called 1.-THE Clique" save the
failure of the movement. We went heartily
into it-n0ne were more Jealous tor the
cause. We do not recall our course OF ac-
ton. On the contrary, il is clearer than
ever that such course was best for US, and,
if successful. would have secured us most
practical good. Instead OF regretting our
course of action, we rather regard those
who failed to support the movement as hav-
ing aided the Radicals to carry the day,
rather than having stood with their friends.
A Democratic ticket straight out" as,
we now know, would have been worse than
folly. 1t was not our time to dictate terms
that suited us on going back inrO the Union,
nor whom it was our best pleasure to rep
resent us in official capacity. Wise and
clear headed men saw this.-men who had
been leaders in the past-men whose tried
wisdom surely entitled their counsel to be
weighed. They were not "old Democrats"
alone, nor 'Old Whigs;' but prominent
men of all old parties concurred in the plan
Of action to be pursued, and heartily endors-
ID the Conservative movement. These are
facts. If there was a Clique, it was not
made up of the ''old hacks" of any party
exclusively. Nearly all ofour wisest and
best men thought it best. 1t was thought
best, under the circumstances, that sur
rounded us with the black waves rising high
and threatening destruction-it was deemed
with the wreck of what was left
rs, to steer prudently and cautiously. By
avoiding the frowning Charbydis of Radi-
.alism on the one hand, and by eschewing
The Sylla of vain-ranting Extremism the
,ther, it was hoped we might reach the har
1or of the Union with something of our for
ner rights left. Such was our hope in the
ate canvass. Such was the aim of those de-
nominated the "Clique.' Whoever is to
blame there is nothing to enter to their dis
,redit, that they inaugurated policy.
which had we been true to ourselves and /,
sustained would, professionally. have been :
ar greater to our advantage than that policy
A. hich did eupooad