The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-12-24
MINORITY REPORT.


NH I'KE-IpE>r:
", IL. undersigned members OF the Joint
Ctsf1fs,itt.c 10 y hom was referred the Gov
cr:.ur's message, feel constrained TO dissent
in toto from that part OF the report OF the
majority of this committee, wherein u call
is made upon the United States Government
for troops. And upon this subject present
this minority report:
Having dui, aud fully cor i.!e-ed the ex-
traordinary message of His Excellency, a1d
deliberated upon the statements therein
contained and the unfortunate Disturbances
discussed, can see no just cause fbr The
action recommended. So FAR ~ we nave been
abb to ascertain from reliable sources this
is in brief history of the recent troubles in
the vicinity OF Nirksbnrg:
The county officials N NickSburg. were
ch roeil with cnlbeZZlpmput fOrpprieS and
defalca ions in office. and some of them had
teen duly indicted for their off-nsps, AMI the
Sheriff, who is * -offciO Fax Collector. had
been found exercising the funcIinns of his
Office without having first given the bond re-
quired by law. Taxpayers, aggravated by
their many grievances. had repeatedly de-
manded of him that lie should comply with
the law in this particular. and had again and
again appealed 10 the constituted author-
ties To require him TO do So Their appeals
were disregart;ed, and their circumstances
were vain They NlsO had learned that the
records of their Courts We're being mutia-
ted for the purpose OF protecting corrupt OFF,
c2lS.
In their extremity, number of them re-
paired to the courthouse and demanded of
these irresponsible officials a surrender of
their trust
That this may have been technically wrong
NAV be conceded; vet can it be said that
when the people in moral justice at least,
required at the hands of these officers com
pliance with the provisions of the law or
vacation of their offices Illegally held.
that il is An excuse for these men thus
Geposed to summon their clans in the night
time. and without notice. march upon the
citv.
Up to this time there had been no violence
and bloodshed. and no more of threat or in
timidation than could reasonably have been
expected from immunity thus excited.
wronget and outraged.
lad the Governor. at this iuncture. with .
due regard for the right of all. and as chief
Executive of the whole people, gone TO
Nicksburg and diligently inquired into the
com plants upon the one hand. and the al
legged wrongs upon the other. and shown a
determination to have the laws faithfully
and fairly executed. without partiality or
prejudice, We are of the opinion that no col
lision would have taken place, and no blood
been shed; but instead thereof, a proc
lamation was issued which had tendency
only to fan the flame and intensity the pas
sions
We cannot fail to call attention to the fact
| that one of these very cnmplained-of officers
Il
| after the Senate had refused to confirm
him upon the express ground of a want OF
power of the Governor To make the ap-
pointment - thus overriding all parties
and all constitutional restraints in ex-
ercisiDg what be deemed his preroga-
tiyes, and thereby depriving the people
OF one of their constitutional and inalienab.e
rights.
In this condition of affairs what could the
citizens OF Vicksburg be expected to do
An armed host was marching upon their
city from every direction-their houses and
hresides were about TO be invaded-their
wives and children were in danger, and no
4 matter what was the original cause, could
they stand idly by and see everything near
( and dear to them thus endangered Was IL
| not the prompting of self-preservation; nay
more, the protection oftheir families that re-
CURED them to repel the attack at all hazards
and at any cost?
There Is one strange and inexplicable thing
connected with this message and that Is thai
while the Governor can denounce in severe