The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-06-15
East Mi--i..ippi Correspondence
LETTER FROM WILLIAM.
EAST MIsslssIPPI-(
Nav 18th. 1871.

EAST MIssIssIPPL)
May 18th, 1871.
Editor Clarion II have not written to yoI
in long time-only once since the Merid
ian riot. Times seemed 50 full of event.
that concluded to wait developments
The Legislature was drifting to q full show
of its corruption, and desired TO see how
deep below gentility human nature could
get. The eminent man who sways tho
destinies of Mississippi had written letter
to Greeley, and wished to see what would
come to pass. Before Greeley could reply
Alcorn was in New York, and doubtless on
his knees. Flournoy has denounced him,
Husgins calls him a liar; but the colored
lambs name q negro University sAlcorn
University" Alcorn signs the Five Million
iniquity, the Apportionment Bill. fails to
veto the Penitentiary Bill, and then gives a
grand collation. at the Mansion" where
carpet bag darkies and iapudent, thieving
strangers hold high carnival; makes a
speech, embraces Lynch, Boulder & Co., and
all separate tor the purpose of going (not
honey but to different portions of Mississip-
pi to manipulate the negroes and poison
their minds against white people, and forth
flying them against any understanding OF
what Is their duty, or what Is their destiny,
if they persist in following after the despe-
rate ''rascally adventurers' that now fill the
offices of profit and trust In this State.
THE EMINENT NAN.
That man you call Alcorn is certainly a
strange man, if not a desperately bad man.
Is it possible that all Southern Governors
are mean? Hopes were entertained that
AlcOrn was better than the balance. His
former social status, and the connections he
has with the best people of the country,
warranted the trust; but Holden, Brownlow,
Alcornl What a triol Who will fifty
chronicle their deeds? Posterity will re-
member their names, but to shudder!
CROPS
The great amount of rain in this section
has completely settled the question about
the extent of the cotton crop. l. will be as
small as that of 1866. This is no mistake.
In the first place, there is twenty per cent.
more area in grain this year than last. In
the second place the land has been so wet
that twenty per cent. of the amount intended
for cotton is either not yet planted or is
barely up. In the third place, labor is get
ting more and more scarce and more and
more trifling. A settled feeling of despon-
dency will come on this people. unless we
can get rid of the present outrageous COM
binatiOn, called the government of MIssis-
sippi.
THE RAILROAD MANIA.
Every material interest in this section
sympathises with the crop prospect. Not
withstanding this, however, the people are
wild tor Railroads. Did you ever reflect,
that before the day of Railroads this coun-
try was supremely blessed? This Railroad
mania is a kind Of valve through which the
public mind relieves itself OF the present
oppression. The wickedness of the Legis-
lature was conspicuous in its Railroad en-
actments, and the Railroad jobbers of the
State and country are undoubtedly the most
corrupt and unpatriotic of all the characters
who figure in current events. Seek for
parties who accept the situation and decry
all agitation of movements looking to a
return of the government to its primitive
purity, and you will find Railroad jobbers
prominent.
THE SCHOOL LAW.
The school law of Mississippi has done its
first work, and not one particle of advantage
has been secured to one individual in the
State. The State Superintendent, an adj
venturer of the first water, has made money,
and legions of understrappers have become
familiar with the handling of money not
their own. Instead of benefiting the coun-
try, the minds Of the people have been made
more acquainted with wrong. On general
principles of State policy, free public
schools are necessary; but wisdom in or
ganization, and a knowledge of what is
required are much needed.
In this sect ion the stand of the Democrat
ic party exc ties general interest. The VAL
landigham platform of Dayton, Ohio, meets
the views of the Vicksburg Hearald. The
principles of that platform are not the
principles of the old Democratic party which
brought honor to the country in times gone
by. Availability seems to be the idea.
Wrongs are recognized, called wrongs
and then agreed to. Is this pure morality !?
The old theory of local self-government is
abandoned. The iniquities of the recon-
struction acts are sanctioned. The late
amendments to the Constitution are to be
undisturbed, and merely because defeat is
feared. Such principles will not redeem
this country. We had better wait longer
and let the Radicals smash the government
MT fhaT fo
the perpetuity of infamy in order to secure
temporary success.
THE PROBLEM OF THE DAY.
To elevate the negro is an experiment.
and one for which the Southern man is Pc
euliarly fitted The elements of learning
of all kinds are all he should receive at
first, and as he discovers capacity meet it,
Now, however, he is thrust into the Legis-
lative halls of the country, and ballots for
every functionary in the State. Harm must
come; harm has come; harm viii come. Ii
the Democratic party sanction this, there is
no safety with the Democracy. The party
is loose from its moonlight Is the sport OF
passions. We owe it to the negro and to
ourselves not to fall into the temptation OF
securing success by sacrificing him and free
republican government at the same time
The rule of expediency or policy must be
adopted, only when 1t harmonizes with the
rule of honesty. The temper of the North
ern mind is one thing. Our knowledge Of
the ills that are upon this country, and the
source from which they come is another
Let US continue to be firm and true and the
Northern mind win come right. The sage
and incOntroyertible utterances of such men
as Stephens viii be heard, and viii furnish
food for reflection to thinking minds at the
North. These may not be your views, gen.
tlemen; they are mine; and my neighbors
listen and smile and hope, when discourse
them on Saturdays, and Sundays, too, under