The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-12-05
From the Raymond Gazette.
The Political Lay ONT for RS9S.

The next general election in Mississippi
/ will take place in the fall of 1873. State of
/ flcers and members of the Legislature will
| then be chosen. The contest, as we fathom
il at the present hour, will be one Of the
most exciting that ever occurred in the
State. Indeed, we think it likely that it
will be by all odds, the severest and bitter
est canvass in the history of Mississippi
The contest so far as can see il at this
hour, viii be within the lines of the party
that carried the State three years ago by
$1,000 majOrity-and that carried il at the
late Presidential election by probably $780,
600 majority. The fight will be, emphati
cally. In the Republican eamp-tetween the
adherents, on the one hand. OF Gov. Alcorn,
and on the other hand, of Gen. A. Ames.
1t is probable, however, that the honest
men of all parties in the State will feel as
deep an interest in the candidates for the
Legislature, as in the names at the head of
the tickets; and we shall be surprised if
some plan for the fusion of the honest citi-
zens of the State, of all parties, as against
all rings and robbers, is not agreed upon
before the election takes place. Every hon
est citizen of the State, OF every party, be-
lieves that our Legislatures of late have
been composed of men. tor the most part,
tar too illiterate to legislate for Mississippi.
OF men, for the most part. too corrupt and
too dishonest to represent the State any
where. Our legislation for four years has
been farce-a solemn mockery-a disgrace
70 our com mon CIVILIZATION anu lntelIlgence,
and none assert the fact with more sirceri-
ty and vehemence than honest Republicans
themselves. The Legislature Is a great
balance wheel in our State government. If
1t be weak and corrupt, depend upon it, ig-
norance and corruption will mark every
branch. On the other hand, if the Legisla-
ture is pure--iS composed of the right ma
terial-there is safety for the State. There
will, then, we think, be an effort made to
unite all the honest men of the State, re-
gardless of past party affiliations. and look
ing steadily to the future, having in view
solely the election of intelligent and honest
men to the next Legislature tor the cleo
ton of men who are too intelligent and
have too much character at stake to~be in
Inundated by threat of the party lash, and
too honest to be bought with money or the
promise of official station in the future
We are greatly mistaken if there will not
be very general disposition shown next |
summer, without regard to party, to return
to an intelligent and VirtuOus Legislature,
and upon the success of such efforts de-
ponds the safety of our people. We must
have fewer public officials-we must lop off |
much of the fearful expense attendant upon
our election system, We must clear the Leg
islature of rings and thieves, we must have |
pure and honest men there.
When with reluctance we concluded to |
support Mr.. Greeley for the Presidency, we
honestly turned our back on the past, and |
determined to look steadily forward in the |
future. With this idea still uppermost in |
our thoughts, we shall stand prepared next |
summer TO strike hands with that party, |
only, and we care not what party it is, that |
will give us a Legislature pledged to the |
to which we allude, Legislature !
of undOubted intelligence and ability and
that cannot be bullied or bought.