The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-05-07
The Great Opportunity.

Now Is the great opportunity for the
party Of Opposition Democratic, Con-
servative or what not to Radicalism.-
Let II cut loose from the dead issues of
thepast Discontinue the squabble over
the constitutional amendments, and other
impracticabIe topics which can bring no
fruits but eviI-and take high, bold, pro-
gresSive ground on what are really the
live, paramount questions of the hour,
viz: An Increase Of currency for the
maintenance oI trade, the support Of
industry and the overthrow of the monied
monopoIies OF Wall stree; and New Eng
land and for the protection Of the in
terests Of the great region of the Missis-
sippi and its tributaries by the reclama-
ton Of the lands subjected TO overflow,
and the establishments Of safe and direct
communication with the sea for the com
merce Of the West and South, embracing
three-fourths Of the agricultural wealth
and population OF the Union.
If the party Of Opposition to Radi-
caliam would bring itself up to the height
Of the occasion-throw to the winds the
ideas which belonged to a past age before
teIegraphs and railroads were operated
leave hunkers and jog-trotters in the
rear-and describing idleprejudice, strike
hands with all men Of all former parties
who are willing to support government
tai policy Of this kind-they will carry
the country in the next general elections
with such whirlwind Of popular feeling
as has not been witnessed in this day and
generation.
But will they do it That's the ques-
tion2 We confess that the outlook is not
as encouraging as we would like. For
example, We find that in the struggle in
Congress between the lords Of the money
centres and the producing masses, every
single Northern Democratic Senator and
half of the Northern Democratic Repre-
sentatives, sustained Grant and the mon
opolists against the almost united Repub-
lican and Democratic sentiment of the
West and South. Here then is presented,
at once, a stumbling block in the way OF
movement by the old party which
would rally to its standard recruits by
the hundreds of thousands and secure for
It victory that would bring substantial
benefits to the whole country and crown
it with blessings
On the other hand, we find no less dis
cord and confusion COMPOUNDED in the
Republican ranks In the House but sixty
three out Of one hanirsd and sirty-sir Re
pu6Ijca,ss haze acted eoiA the President on
the question Of the Currency. And on the
other important question, the reelama-
ton of the delta Of the Mississippi and
tributaries, and more equal distribution
between the East and the West of the
appropriations from the common treasu-
ry, the signs of coherence and co-opera-
zion in that party are equally unfavor-
able
IN this emergency, can either of the
old parties az at present organized and
controlled, be relied upon to achieve what
the necessities Of trade and industry and
the paramount and long neglected interests
of the West and South imperatively de-
mand And if neither of them will
come up to the full measure of these re-
quirements, which one of them will APP
preach nearest il? Or will other COM
binations be formed upon the new issues
to the necessities of the coun-
try and the demands of the hour? Let
the people of the South as one man stand
ready to act with those who Will advance
their interests and help them to take care
Of their rights.