The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-08-10

blacks as tools for the accomplishment of
the selfish and malignant aims of its lead
ers. So conspicuous is its attitude of
open hostility to the white race, that they
are arrayed as body against it. Here
and there you will find Southern white
man who will acknowledge himself to be
a Republican, but if his surroundings
are examined it will be found that there
are other reasons for his conversion to the
mean, cruel, cowardly and vindictive
measures of the Radical party, than his
approval of them on their intrinsic
merits.
1t may be charitable to the avowed
white republican of the South to say that
he is not such a demon in human shape
as to find motive for advocating Radi-
calism for its wanton outrages on his own
countrymen. Some of these renegades
have been honored by the very class on
whose tracks, with the carpet-bag pack,
they are now bowling. Some of them
participated in the original measure of
secession, and were Chinese Wall Builders
between the South and the North. Near
ly all of them subsequent to the COM
mencement of hostilities, espoused the
cause of the South, and never ceased to
proclaim its justice and righteousness I'M
| til it went down. 1t is impossible to be-
! lieve that these men have embraced the
Republican party for no other motive
than that it has pursued the former ruling
classes of the South since the surrender
of her armies, with bloodhound ferocity.
They have acted simply on the principle
of secureing a share Of the plumber which
they have seen the dominant party was
determined to wrest from their neighbors,
whether they joined in the game or not.
Look over the list of Southern white
Republicans; and when ycu find one of
them you will find man who is holding
office or seeking Office, or trade, or pa
tronage of some sort at the hands of the
tvrants of the South, who are dispensing
the spoils they have seized by the strong
arm. There is no exception to the rule
not one.
Therefore it is that the Republican
party here, (besides the blacks who have
been duped, is composed principally of
needy adventures who have come South
| to enrich themselves at the expense of her
people, on the ground that they have for
feited their right to liberty and the en-
joyment of property; and of mercenaries
who have bent the crooked hinges of the
knee to the meanest and most depraved
organization of despots and plunderers
on the face of the earth. And therefore
it is, that the mass of the Southern white
population detests this party. To them
its name-Radical or Republican, which
ever you may choose to call its asso-
ciated with all that is vile and hateful.
1t has insulted brave foe in his de-
feat.
1t has domineered over him in his
weakness.
1t has robbed him in his poverty.
When Gen. Lee surrendered, the gov
ernments of the Southern States imme-
diately adjusted themselves to the situa-
ton and resumed their former relations
to the U. S. government. But to exhibit
their power, the dominant party refused
to accept the submission thus rendered.
In spirit of bravado it tore down those
governments, and sent the men who were
engaged in the work 'of reconstruction"
to distant prisons. Witness the seizure
of Gov. Clark in this State, while he was
in the very act of converting the Legis-
lature with the avowed purpose of recog-
nizing the supremacy of the United
States.
Witness the destruction of the gov
ernments which was erected after this act
of Vandalism, and which were moulded
strictly in accordance with the dictation
of their own chosen Executive.
Witness the military despotisms which
were substituted for civil rule, and the
series of accompanying measures present
ing to the whites of the South the alter
native of recognizing under them, or
prolonging irresponsible personal rule
under which, their lives, liberties, and
property were at the disposal of the army
officers who happened to be placed at
their head
1t was these measures that the editor
of the new Radical organ here, and
Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum,
DIR. w. M. Compton, denounced in a re-
port submitted by him to the Convention
of 1868, as unconstitutional, unjust, and
oppressive to the people Of Mississippi"
d" In pursuance thereto" said DIR. Comp
ton, " an officer of the United States
army has ordered the assembling of
Convention for the purpose of making
I" revolutionary changes IN the Constitution
Of the State" Convention Journal, page
$50
Witness its unjust and discriminating |
COTTON TAX by which all classes, black |
as well as white, were robbed of eighty |
millions of dollars in the years 1866 and |
81.
Witness its laws DISTINGUISHING large
part Of the intelligence of the South, and |
by operation of which the right to hold
Office, is withheld from many of the most
capable and respected citizens of the !
plundered States.
Witness the incapable, dishonest and |