The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-08-28
a Card from Robert u. AIcOrn.
Esq.
JACKSON. Miss. August Il

. JACKSON, Miss, August 10, 1873.
{ To the Editors of the Pilot:
The paragraph you published I'm regar,
to my removal from the office of Unite,
states Marshal for this district, is 50 re
markable for its off-hand Indifference ant
, cool nonchalance, that l must ask the cour.
tesy Of few explanations in order that IN
friends may be bic TO solve the mystery a.
my ''sudden taking off, and TO satisfy
them. if possible, that have not stolen any
thing-am not a defauiter in ofiice-and
that | am not charged with any OF these
crimes or misdemeauors.
Soon after il was understood that the
resignation of my predecessor had been ac-
cepted. a number of my Republican friends,
white and colored. Northern and Southern.
| importuned me TO apply for the position.
| At first, declined. did not particularly
desire the office, and it is a fact that when
| fnally consented ii was with reluctance.
| My application when made, was Endorsed
/ and recommended by a large number of the
| most prominent Republicans in the State.
/ La due time my appointment came, and
entered upon the duties of the Office, but
| had scarcely gotten warm in my seat-had
| not become accustomed To Federal harness
! before | received the following telegram
WAsHINGroN, ID. c., July 5, 1873.
To Hon. Robert J. Alcorn:
You are represented here rs having sup
ported the Democratic ticket in the last
Presidential election. Is this fact?
GRO. ii. WILLIAMS,
Attorney General.
To this telegram replied as follows. and
although its length may tax your patience.
nevertheless, L trust you will do me the
justice to publish it:
UNITED STATES MARsHAL's OFFICE,
Jackson, MISS, July 8, 1875
Hon. Geo IL Williams, Attorney General,
Washington, ID. c..
SIR: | am in receipt of your telegram de-
string to know if | supported the Demo-
cratic ticket in the Presidential election
last year. In reply, beg leave to state
that | did vote for Horace Greedy last fall /
and while it may have been blunder, did F
not surrender a single principle OF Repub- /
lieanism. For long time | had been a /
political pupil of Mr.. Greeley-had read his /
paper day after day, for years. My admi-
ration for him was very great and when he I
became a candidate for the Presidency in
his old age, L felt it TO be my duty to vote
for him.
Under the circumstances that call forth
this letter, may be permitted 10 say that |
was one OF the first Southern men in the
State to take position with the Republican
party. | was Republican, and took the
stump as early as 1867, when it cost some
thing in the shape of personal sacrifice To
stand up and proclaim it. In the winter OF
as a Republican. In lSGS was
the Republican candidate for Secretary OF
STATE. In 1869 | edited Republican paper,
and was the first in the State to hoist the
name of u. ). Grant for the Presidency.
With tongue and pen l took an active part
IN the canvass Of that year. In 1870 ] was
elected, by a full Republican vote, Clerk of
he House of Representatives OF the Alissis
,ipp Legislature. In 1871 | was again in
he harness as an editor. In 1872 was ap- ,
mi ta1 In nf Gratn I
~ Governor Powers. whose Republicansm /
las never been questioned-an office which
resigned upon the reception of my com ,
mission as L. ). Marshal. SO you will per-
;eive that with the exception of having
-oted for Mr.. Greeley, have never since I
S67, occupied any position nor uttered a :
Jingle sentiment that could by possibility .
,e construed into anything but genuine ,
Republican devotion. In this connection
will take the liberty to enclose a printed /
etter which | published during the can {
Ass. in which l expressed the sentiments n
heG entertained. Although the campaign
distinctly announced my determination to
Import the administration of President c
irant, should he be elected. In this have /
aithiully kept my word. .
1t may not be improper to add that soon .
fter it was known here that had received
he appointment of United States Marshal, t
{ was rumOred on the streets that resolu- \
ions of disapproval would be introduced at !
{ is supposed that these resolutions were q
often up by the friends of a disappointed ! o
spirant-by those who presume are now 8
unning with you against NE. They were =
cad at the meeting, and unanimously y
oted down with demonstrations Of enthu- y
asm. Il
In conclusion I will merely add, that II
m mem Der of the city Cuba working
republican, in full utilization with the par
' in all its movements. G
cry respectfully, your obedient servant o
RoBT. J. ALCoKN. RI
The above statement came gushing from G.
he earnest Republican heart OF a young a
ederal office-holder! Hours ran into days. =
nd days into weeks. without my hearing II
ON the Attorney Generals office, until II
le morning OF the 9Th inst, when the As q
,ciated Press dispatches announced the =
ppointmeut of Mr.. Leroy Bronn. In due
me | received a formal order of suspen-
on. That is the history of my sudden de- n
agitation. That is HOW my head left my I
loulders, but why the ak fell upon my :
eek Is, AS you suggest, "hard 70 define"
Upon the surface the pretext appears.
rat l supported Greeley last year. In b
zee of the facts, that idea, now that O
am relieved of the dignity of Of :;
lice, l may say is too thin" 1t is
ell known that my successor in 1869 when u
was doing battle in the great test struggle al
this State for the success of the Republi Il
IN party, was candidate for Congress on =
le Dent ticket against the Hon. Legrand =
cree. | have no personal acquaintance y
18th the gentleman, and allude To him in W
lis connection not out of any disrespect, :,
ut simply to indicate the fact that if COM :,
lifted political sin in exercising little u
9rsOnal independence find charming ex- z
nple in til c history OF Mr.. Bronn. i
What was said about me in Washington,
I'd what representations made, know
)t. | have reason to believe. however,
lat the order for my removal did not origi
ate i'm the Attorney Generals office. And d
am left to infer that it was because Ger ii
in legal papers seriously involving the q,
Iietude of certain politicians in this State
ere known to be lodged in the pigeon
)les OF the Marshafs office, and that APP L
-ehensiOns existed that at the proper time / Ia
would, if continued in office. put them in .
tive operation. Whether either. neither. y
all these influences were brought to bear al
BON so Insignificant case as mine, it is APP g
aren't that the prime cause of my official / n
scomfiture is to be found in two unfortU-
ate elements of my personnel: In the first ~
ace, my name is Alcorn! Secondly, / am
mani 1t is an explanatory fact "a
at only one Southern man fills a Federal n
lice OF Importance in the State of Missis- ,
ppi, and that man is Judge Robert A. Hill, ~
i'd he was appointed by Andrew johnson. t.
1t may not be improper for me to say that :"
either the smiles nor frowns Of those ia
over can affect my fidelity to the princi r.
es of the Republican party. -
Very respectfully, yours, etc,
Robert j. ALCoRN. A
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