The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-05-14

relaxation from the cares and tolls OF
business, l am not aware that the pub
lie business has been neglected by il any
more than the responsible duties of the
consulship were by Cicero when seeking
the retreat of his farm at Tusculum.
But it is complained of, that Gen.
Grant does not dispense his patronage
among the men of the South, to the ex-
tent, to which they are entitled, by their
numbers, and their ability-and that his
favors in the South are, generally. be-
slowed on the unfit and unworthy. Here
again, the Southern people fail to ere
alize the situation" 1t is not denied
that unfit and improper men have been
appointed to office, in the South. Gen.
Grant not knowing every body, must,
in such cases rely on others for informa-
ton, concerning appointees to office
and he has III many cases no doubt been
misled and deceived But who is to
blame for his having so narrow a margin
to select from IN the appointments to of
fee? Why, no one but the people of
the South themselves! As long as they
arc banded together in compact organized
opposition to the government, and the
party it epresents-how, in the name of
| common sense, can they expect to be
| honored and confded In. by the bestowal
Of office ? What government, party,
community or corporation, selects its OPP
ponents to subserve its interests No
administration In our history has ever done
SO. 1t would be political suicide to do so.
Can the people Of the South expect
| Gen. Grant to confide in them-when
! they persistently refuse to confide in him?
| When he turns to the South to select for
| the local offices here, in looking and en-
quiring, suppose it to be he can find no
one but " carpet-bagger" of the worst
stripe, if you choose, that is his friend
Sometimes, from the very force of ne
cessity, he is driven to the appointment
of such an one no doubt, frequently
objectionable to himself
| The same unfortunate difficulty pre-
sents itself, in obtaining for the South,
| the fostering care of Congress. Never
was there time, when the South more
needed the kind consideration of Con-
/ gress. We need substantial aid for i'm
proving our channels of trade and CON-
merce-in re-erecting the battered forti-
fications on our coasts-in rearing pub
| lie structures where needed court houses,
Dost-offices and custom houses improv-
ing our harbors, in aid and encourage
ment to education, aye, in granting re-
dress, in meritorious cases, for property
Destroyed during the war-and in restor-
| ing the tax on cotton for some three
years, which is generally admitted to
have been under law, not only oppres-
sive, but which was unconstitutional. =
These things, the South not only needs !;
but in justice, they have right to them.
| And yet how can the Southern people
expect ever to obtain these rights; if they
persist in sending to Congress men who
persistently oppose the government and
the party in power? The kind of elo-
quence we want in Congress, is an elo-
quence to depict the suferings of the
| South-to enforce her claims upon the
Justice and generosity of the government
and not an eloquence, to expend its
powers in assailing the government, and
denouneing the party in power.
So far from wishing to indulge in
fault-fnding against the Southern people,
God knows | love them too well, / sympa-
thize with, Gas well as partake of their
distress and sorrow too keenly. | appre-
ciate the noble virtues of their character
too highly, for me to indulge in any allu-
sion to their short comings, except in
terms of atfectionate regret. L am not
willing to see them deprived of their due
share of the protecting patronage OF the
government. L am not willing 10 see
them languish for the want of govern
mental aid and encouragement merely to
crafty resentment for the past or the be-
nests OF party at present. Those who love
the Southern people less than L do, may
fatter them by telling them they have not
erred, they may contrive to keep them I'M
der the frown of the government, for mere
party purposes; for my humble self, | do
not wish to see the South make an Ireland
of herself. | have reasons for believing
that General Grant has kindly and
friendly feelings for the Southern people.
He is anxious to do more for them, than
they will allow him to do. AS long as
they exhibit anutter want of confidence in
him, how can they expect him to heap hon
ors and office on them? A great mistake
is made by many persons, who suppose
that General Grants mere will controls
the direction of affairs, and that the poll
CIV of the government is entirely regulated
by him. Never was there crater delu-
sion. General Grant as the representa-
tive of principle cannot if he would, ig-
more and disregard the influences surround
ing him. He is the chosen instrument in
the hands of the people for concentrating
the work of reconstruction. That recon
struction will never be complete till public
opinion in the "South realises the situa-
ton" and adopts itself to the condition Of
things as it is. The past can not be un
done Resignation to the past-duty for
the present-and hope in the future,
should be the motto of the Southern PEG
pie.
, There is yet time and opportunity fol
the Southern people to so regulate theil
relations with the Federal government
and its chief executive organ, as to hea
the wounds of the past and to lay the
, foundations deep and strong for future
prosperity and happiness. Let them
trust General Grant now 90 General Let
trusted him. Let them rally arounc
him as their President, revere the ole
, flag as their national banner, and honor
5 and sustain the government as that o
their country, which gives them their iden
tity among the nations; and in the pas
history of which they have such treas
; ure of glory
Very respectfully,
K RAYNER