Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-05-12

arrogant power, Senator Alcorn was a
Wing. Those who knew him best be-
lieved him ambitious, they acknowl-
edged his commanding abilities; and
the Democracy, at any time, would
have welcomed his accession to their
ranks. But he was imperviOus alike to
/ the frOwns or Establishments of power.
He resisted secession until war became
fragrant; and though he yielded TO the
storm which overwhelmed all and BAN
ished neutrality from the nomenclature
of the times, he never failed TO denOunce
what he regarded as the unwisdOm of
those under whose auspices it occurred.
But il was after the war, after the recon-
struetiOn policy of Congress had assum-
ed its most vindictive shape, that Cen
eral AlcOTn began to play that role in
Mississippi politics which has given him
a national importance, and up
OH which every interest in his
own State yet 80 much depends. Few
men there, whatever they might have
believed, p~rOfessed the moral courage,
the intellectual power, to sun the
responsibility Of advising the people Of
Mississippi to accept, 10 the utmost good
faith, the painful requirements of the
reconstruction acts. But this is pre-
cisely what Mr.. Alcorn did; it is the
work to which he gave all his great
powers. His ample fortune-still ample
after the havoc of War-pTecluded the
idea of sordid aims. His education, his
former associations, his very instincts
forbade that he should be the victim of
an idiOsyncratic desire for leadership in
some Utopian reform, while the storm
Of obloquy he encountered from his old
neighbors and friends was sufficient to
dissuade, if it did not appeal. His aims
were accomplished, and if the results OF
congressional reconstruction in Missis-
sippi are not all which were promised,
or hoped for, the people there may felic-
itate themselves that they escaped the
0diOus despOtisms which Congress did
not impose on Tennessee and Missouri,
and which still scourges like a pesti-
lence that sister State which joins them
ON the west. General AlcOrn's most
distinguished trait is his total indif-
ference TO unfriendly criticisms Of his
public motives and conduct. He has
often said in his recent public addresses
to the people, and in a more emphatic
manner to his intimate personal assOci-
ates, that time would indicate the wis
dom of his course, and that finally he
could rest the keeping of mis- lame with
those who now aspersed his motives.
His course as a Senator has been such as
certainly to secure favorable comment
from thoughtful, dispassionate men.
Surely no man whohas ever been elected
Senator, under an intense partisan influ-
ence like that which attended his tn
umph in Mississippi, has retained less of
the bitter memories which were aroused
NV HE 1frrr,r-la- on1 infanGIHnn nv his
triumphs. On the contrary, the people
hKbState have found i'm him an able, /
representative; that he has
been guided by a most liberal and cath
olic spirit, and impelled by q firm pur-
pose to Obliterate, if possible, every Bit
ter memory of the unfortunate past.
Only two days ago he was found fore
most among Senators in behalf of am
nesty; and at the same time he dis
his usual independence by de-
the aid of Mr.. Sumner i'm fixing
the social status of his colored con-
5tituents, they having long since
performed that duty for themselves.
We do not know what course General
.lcorn will take in the present contest.
We do believe, however, that he will
be governed alone by considerations of
good. But let him take either
tide, assailants will be found. If these
lssailants are wise, they will not enter
he lists with him until they are well
and backed by that confidence
which great abilities, sustainedby strong
convictions, alone inspire. Ifit be true
hat "thrice is he armed who hath his
quarrel just" the Mississippi Senator
will create an impression, no less true,
hat he's dou5{y armed who thinks his
quarrel just.