The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1873-09-04
Views of Hon. Hiram Cassidy, Sr.,
a Member of the Executive
Co1nmisters ON GAae
situation.


SUMMIT. Mss. Augustus, 1873.
DEAR SIR: After an absence of five weeks
in the western counties, on my return home
Yesterday, found your favor of the I'd inst.
Before the Executive Committee bad CON-
menced considering the question of a con-
ventiou, had examined the political hori-
zon. from my rather circumseribed outlook,
and arrived at conclusions which appeared
i'm an editorial in tile Summit Times of the
18th of July, fthough prepared some time
before.) which enclose.
The conclusions there reached have I'M
dergone no change. The more | see the
condition of the public mind, in a range
covering five counties, in some of which the
colored element largely predominates, in
others where the races are pretty equally
divided, and the more frequently I hear
expressions of views from every class of
people, the more convinced have become,
that organized State opposition to the Re
publican party and the existing organiZa-
tion of fhe opposition is worse than fruit
less. 1t is positively pernicious. Defeat is
certain on that basis, and the result of re-
peated defeats is beginning already to tell
on the spirits of men whose heightened in
tegrity was never doubted. The fact is
there is no practical principle on which sem
sible men can divide. Old issues have be-
come extinct, and party names have lost their
prestige. The Democ, attic name serves no
other purpose now than to arouse fears,
North and South, by which alone the Re-
publican party are enabled to keep mp their
organization. Here Democrat, with the
colored people, is synonymous nth slavery,
and its attendant consequences. North it
stands for the losses and calamities of the
war, and arouses fears that by some un-
known means the success of that party
might disturb the results of the war as now
settled. With these views, | deprecated
the call of a convention, under whatever
name, by men who had heretofore been pro-
minent Conservatives or Democrats. It's
only tendency is TO arouse u fear by which
the worst elements Ia the land may be con-
tinued under a name whose sole efficiency
is to put the public treasury into the hands
of the most designing and worst men of
that party.
My private business prevented me from
being present at the call of the Committee,
though my views had been communicated
to the Chairman, adverse 10 the action the
Committee has taken. This call may have
the effect of combining the factions of the
Republican party, and to that extent do
evil by postpohing to another canvass the
effects of division. The existing condi-
ton of public affairs is unnatural, and can
not last. But can see no way to hasten
the remedy, other than by removing the
outside pressure. aud thereby allowing the
antagonizing elements 10 expand into
di<rupting folce.
do not know that my views are either of
such novelty or force as to accomplish any
good. | presume, however, that am ia
the position OF four-fifths OF the white peo-
pie of the State, TO express whatever views
/ entertain, unreservedIy and untrammelled
by any regard to the personal effect they
may have on me. l have no axe to grind.
What L have here written i for the two
fold purpose of explaining the delay of this
reply and enabling you to know the views
L entertain on the topics on which YOU have
solicited an expression. rather than from
any design that they could Rolg be of any
service. 1 still hope. rather than expect,
something may turn up TO the advantage of
the public by divisions and heart burnings
created or confirmed by the Republican
Convention. In any new aspect OF affairs
which may arise from this contingency,
will be glad to cooperate with others in
doing something for the good of the State,
or at least in arresting in some degree the
downward tendency Of affairs.
Yours truly. Ii. CAssEDY.