The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-03-24

/ have mastered the undertaking. The
..Inaugral" is In many respects an artistic
and cunning production. not greatly unlike
It's luxurious author. Much of it might
have ben pretermitted without defacing its
beautyor sense, usefulness or propriety.
What henry Clay, John c. Calhoun, Rome.
the Democracy or Whiggery. the rich or
poor ofhe past have to do with the matter
| eannt tell-good taste, propriety aud
fitness.f not good sense, might well have
dispened with all this fiummery. learn in
this Address that the legislation of this
eountr has heretofore been conducted and
admlnItered in the interest of the rich and
in antgonism to the poor white people of
the Stse. This wild assertion is evidently
a clap-rap and bid for the support by the
poor whites of the Republican party and
a crow from them TO himself as their spec
ial fried, champion and benefactor at the
eleventh hour. | am an old Mississippi
lawyeibut never a legislator, and must con-
fess neer to have seen or detected the leg
islatio referred to, but on the contrary
persistent legislation for the poor and debt
ors stnds upon our statute books for the
last tlrty years Tell me what law in the
of days slavery and riches, abridged in any
way tie rights of the persons and property
OF the DOR white men, or that tostered the
rich to he detriment of the poor. No other
State Ger gave the laborer better wages or
securit, for their payment, nor has any
other state ever given to the poor such
large. LIBERAL exemptions of homesteads and
Other property as has this State. The truth
is thepoor have always preponderated large
ly innumbers and power in this State. and
that very fact has impressed its image on
the legislation, as it does on the grave docu-
men,under discussion
Blu it was not my purpose in this COM
muncation to disseetethe Inaugural in all
its prts. My object is to call attention to
andlispose of the following passage in that
wonderful paper, to-wit: 1.-The laws for
.'theprotection of the rights and privileges
''of he poorer classes of our population
INST not be left subject to the interpreta-
tito of an opposition bar, whose eminent
s'ahlty does not scOrn TO enforce its subtle
''loic by bold brow beating and arrogant
'.exlusiveness."
let this passage be read again and then
BCOA
MOTTO be interpreted or left to be so by law
yer of eminent ability. l have always
theght that the poor weee entitled to emf
neB legal ability at the bar, for the protec-
tioIoftheir rights and privileges,and have
nepr known it denied or questioned there
whGe they had any rights or privileges in
volved. What does he mean by an ''opposi-
tio1 bar! Is or was there ever any such
thing in this State to ''the rights and privi-
legs or claws of the poorer classes?
Car the Governor tell us who and where
the are? Can he tell us what rule of law
or reason can be assigned or ever was as
signed by the eminent ability of the bar in
theinterpretation of the laws for the protec-
tiol of the poorer classes, that is not the
true standard and controlling rule and rea-
sol in the Interpretation of laws for the
riQer classes, and of all laws without regard
to men or their pecuniary condition? Are
no the laws, whether for the poor or rich
Interpreted by the fixed rules of law and
eminent ability" by the same uniform and
sdtled, we'll defined and strictly observed
legal principles older than him or myself?
Ae not these infe1 ible and immutable
legal rules Of construction and interpreta-
tim plainly written in the law books for
every bar. whether opposition or anti-oppo-
siion? What new rule would he have in
sttuted and applied for the Interpretation
oflaws by his bar lin strict accord" for the
"poorer classes that he would not have
applied to all ldloS Is there an ''opposi-
tim bar" to the Interpretation proper, of
any law, whether for the poor or rich !?
Cane into Court and witness the learned
JUICE of courage, and his committed of
eminent ability" or inability or debility,
Examining the law student then an appli-
cint for admission to the bar. What would
b your amaZement and modification and
tlat of the student TO hear from the lips of
tie learned judge or his committee of emf
Irnt ability the following questions, to-wit: :
LIST. What are the rules of law for ''the
Interpretation of laws for the protection of
tie rights and privileges of the poorer class
eg-
2nd. What are the rules of law for 1.-THE
Interpretation of laws for the protection of
tie rights and privileges of the richer
clSses?
I'D. What is the difference in the rules
ofiaw for the Interpretation of statutes in
tn. two foregoing cases?
The student would conclude that he had
red and remembered his books badly or
TINT the interregators were trying to quiz or
they were slightly added. This sort of ju
riprudence rests in the brain of some old
political demagogues and is sometimes
caught up by the press entering into the
sane muddy business. l am surprised that
Governor, or Senator, should perpetrate such
SHY boSh on great occasion and at the
tlreshhold of his greatness! But my chief
purpose yet remains to be presented.
an opposition bar tchose eminent ability does
''Iot Scorn to enforce its subtle logic By bold
sc-beating und arrogant ecclustreness,"
says Gov. Alcorn.
have been practising lawyer, with some
ability, reputation and good practice in this
State for twenty-seven years, during which
tine ]. have practiced in fourteen Court
Houses with as many local bars and before
as many judges, and have yet to witness
EVEN the attempt of sentiment ability to
~brpp- 6eat'' a single judge, much less to con-
sunmate it in arrogant exclusiveness.--
This is a gratuitous and objectionable fling
1t the eminent legal ability of this State
men as eminent for their manly courtesy,
respect, propriety and honor, as for their
ability. No man has any higher regard and
for judicial station, or pays more
respectful Difference and considerations to
he men who occupy (whether they I'LL or
1otj such stations than the eminent legal
nifty IF this State mr. uould c00no. ss..,....,.
o do an unprofessional or dirty act i'm sar-
'ogaAt e1ctustreRess." The "eHaiHent ability
If this State is as pure, noble and lofty in
NEGLECT, heart, soul and courtesy as the en-
neHt Governor, who is also a lawyer, and
Who may have unwittingly caricatured him
ely in the euphoneous terms @Jrosc-beating