The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-10-12
From the Brookhaven Citizen.
BROoKHAvEN, Miss, Sept. 25, 1871.

BRooKHAVEN, Miss, Sept. %, 1871.
Messrs. Editors: In your issue of the 2Ist
inst, you refer in no ffattering terms of the
part you supposed took in the late Radical
Convention that assembled in this place.
Now, desire placing myself right on the
record-both politically and religIously-
and disabuse the public mind OF the inju-
riOus impressions that your article may
have left.
First. was born and raised Democrat.
and firmly believed in the principles of that
posparty when consistently practiced l OPP
ed the war, and was in favor of the Union,
because it was the bond of liberty estab-
lished by our fathers and left a glorious
heritage to their pOsterity. The cornerstone
of the Democratic Temple was strict con-
structiOn of the Constitution, and the en-
fOrcement of just and equal laws, and an
honest and economical administration of the
Government. 1t was emphatically the
friend of the Door man. and hence L loved
the principles of the party as a safe guaran-
tee for the prosperity and glory of the cOun-
try.
After the war was over, there was no
party here-Whig and Democrat blended as
the waters of two meeting streams. In 1868,
what is known as the Radical or Republican
party began to take root in this State-a
growth springing mostly from ignorance,
bad passions, and corruption-so that no
decent white man would affiliate with it.
This condition of the party continued with
out hope of reform for the better until
1869. when Gov. AlcOrn, Mississippian. was
chosen as the champion of the party. Hav-
ing confidence in his ability and integrity,
as a man, / regarded his elevation to power
as a favorable omen-indicating that the
Ship of State was in fair way of returning
to its ancient moorings. After he came in
power he invited respectable ~home people,
native to the manor born, to unite with him
in saving the State, and restoring prosperity
to her people. The colored men seemed to
be willing to do this by letting such men as
he control their destinies. Apparently fol-
lowing in the pathway marked out by the
s'eminent man." the party, through its re-
cent Convention at Jackson declared for
economy in the administration of the Gov
eminent, and a strict obedience to an en-
forcement of the Constitution and the laws.
naturally enough supposed they meant
what they said, and intended to place men
in power in the coming election identified
in interest with the people here, and conse-
uuently had no hesitancy in placing my
claims before the Convention for Assessor.
But when / saw from the action of that
body and the secret workings of the party
in general, that they adhered most firmly
and closely to that class of men who have,
in the short space of two years, increased
the State debt over million and half of
dollars. (This was shown by giving the
Carpet-B aggers the two most lucrative po-
sitions in the gift of the people of the coun-
ty-Sheriff and Chancery Clerk-)
| saw their professions were empty, not
sincere, but only intended as trap to catch
honest but credulous and unsuspeeting
men. From this and many other evidences
/ might produce, L am convinced that the
only use they have for that class of men
which they term poor is to hoist them
selves in power-to plumber the people,
both poor ard rich and more effectually to
effect this object they have resorted to the
most horrible oaths TO bind that class of
men have mentioned, who they sometimes
entice into their dens.
And after. by fraudulent pretence. they
have induced these honest buG unsuspecting
persons to take it, try and intimidate them
to do their bidding by threatening them
with the stain of perjury. hereby wash
my hands of its filth, and warn all my
friends against making an alliance with the
corrupt and dishonest conspiracy. l now
fully acquiesce in the action OF the Demo-
cratic Convention of this county, and will
support the ticket. / am not hard shell
preacher, and will only pray to be delivered
from Radical political preachers and
preaching.
l hope now, Mr.. Editor, you will do me
the justice to correct. through your valua-
BILE paper, as far as possible. the injustice
that has been done an honest, but misled
w. N. GUESS.