The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-07-09

For The CLARION.
1t is really understandable, how some
men-men of sense and reflection at that
allow their feelings TO be excited, and
their judgments TO be biased by mere
partisan clamor, against public man.
This idea was never more forcibly il
Illustrated than in the case of Gov. Alcorn,
and his vote ON the Civil Rights bill.
He has been censured, and with harsh
ness and severity in some quarters, for
his vote on the bill mentioned. He has
been charged with marked inconsis-
tency by some-by wish to re-instate
himself in the good graces of ultra and
uncompromising Observation-Disclosures, by
others-and with wishes to degrade the
white race, by an enforced social equality
by others, again. Now, is this fairs
| it generous-is it just-to thus strike
man, without hearing before striking?
We cannot see the promptings of the
human heart, and sean the nature OF
human motives. No power short of ON
niscience can do that. w nen a man
states his motives, and explains his rea-
sons-ordinary charity, common courtesy
requires that we should believe him sin
cere-unless, or until time or stubborn
facts disprove his assertions. Gov. Al
corn delivered an elaborate speech on the
subject. He gave his reasons in detail, in
a speech OF great ability and boldness.
Aos
spoken of everywhere. Why not hear
him, why not give him fair trial before
the tribunal OF the public Judgment
instead Of condemning HIM first, and
hearing him afterwards?
The great feature in the Civil Rights
bill, most Objectionable, and on which the
prevailing excitement mainly hinges
is, that in all institutions OF learning, sup
ported in whole or in part at the public
expense-there should be no difference
made in regard to color, etc. In-plain lam
guage, that colored children shall be adj
mitted, equally with white children. How
often does it happen in this world, that
the most honest and conscientious man
living, may, upon given question, en-
terrain one opinion, az the G6strdct-that
Is, Invested Of the influences of surround
ing circumstances-and yet, may, not
consider it wise or expedient to practical
bly, carry into action, that opinion?
Gov. Alc0rn has never concealed his views
in regard to certain amendments to the
constitution, viz: That as abstract propo
sitions, he was opposed to them, vet under
the press of necessity. under the DEGREES
of destiny, he had no other alternative,
but to conform his action to the require
ments OF the constitution as It as. He did
not feel called on TO make any apology
for his course His speech is no limpiug
excuse for his conduct. He had nothing
to unsav, nothing to take back no par
don to beg, for a change OF position. SO
far from it, his speech is torclble and
manly argument to prove that under the
changes in the fundamental law, by the
18th, 18th and 18th amendments-(to for
which, by the way, he was not response
ble,) equality of rights AMI privileges,
which had been secured to all races and
sections alike, should be so regulated by
law, as that each race should enjoy its
rights without molestation to the other
and that no section should impose upon
another what it regarded as an evil which
applied to itself
GOV. Alcorn's light upon this question
of mixed schools, was not hid under
bushel He had met this question boldly
and fearlessly, when Governor Of Missis-
sippi. He had taken unequivocal ground,
in opposition TO mixed schools; his posi-
tion was that the duty to provide for the
education of colored children under the
constitutional amendments, (mind you, not
as an abstract proposition was as impera-
tive, as that to provide for the education
of the white children. Not, that he
could try to enforce social equality, by
mixing them in the same schools, but by
providing the same means for educating
both, separate and apart This is his
position still But, he says, if this is
right in Mississippi and the South gen
orally, it is right for Massachusetts, and
the North generally He does not tell
the people of the North, that he wishes
to enforce upon them, mixed schoOls-not
at all. But, he says to them, If you
have Il public school system, or other
institutions Of learning, supported or en-
dowed at public expense, you must SO
modify your system as to provide for
the same facilities to both races,
refuse to do this, then, under the consti-
tutiOnal amendments, (your own work.
YOU are bound to admit both races alike,
to the same places of instruction. He
says to Dartmouth College, the educa-
-ional regime your people have forced Mis- |
,issippi to adopt, is as applicable to you, as
TO US Either provide the same clrrtcu- |
nm for blacks as for whites, separate and |
apart however, if you will; if not, then
receive them altogether, without regard |
% color; otherwise, you must admit, that |
your amendment to the constitution, |
an entire and perfect equality
IF all civil rights, to be mere sham and |
cheat. That Northern men might |
complain of Gov. Alcorn's speech, and |
If his objects as declared, | can well I'M |
lerstand, but how any Southern man can
complain that he requires the North to |
apply at home, the same system, they have
orced on US, | can't comprehend. He |
S charged, with wishing to enforce mixed
chools in Mississippi, whereas the truth is
le killed off the system of mixed schools
n the State, and provided the only an
idote against it Is it forgotten, how he
vas denounced for his course, by the
Iltra-republican press and orators? Was
lot the attempt made to ostracise him,
rom the Republican ranks? And now be-
ause he requires, that the Northern States
hould subject themselves to the same
nwelcome expedients, under constitu
obligations, he is charged with incon-
and disposition to degrade the
,hite people Of the State. So much for
he educational features OF the bill
But Gov. Alcorn is charged with
citing for the social admixture of blacks
18th whites, in the hotels, theatres, rail
airs, and burial-grounds, of the country
.et it be borne in mind, the bill does not
ropose to interfere with any of the rights