The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1874-10-03
CLEMENTS, WHERE DO YOU
STAND?

John ii. Oberly, the Democratic MEM
Dor Of tho legislature who voted and la
bored hard for the passage Of the mixed
school law OF this state, has been writing
to some Of tho ciiizsns Of this county, in
quiring If Mr.. Clements has stated that
he (Clements) was against the civil rights
bill. Two OF these letters hAvs bsen shown
US, and both Of these gentlemen refuse TO
snswer the communications OF THE Bull
LETIS man. They are both Democrats
arc icel pleased NTH Mr.. Clements posi-.
tion on the eiriL rights bill, and will sup
port him ut the November election. The
BULLETIN had botter save its postage
stamps; IL might need them for some legit-
innate busine'ss somstime.-t Murpbysboro
Era.
The above 10 from tho home organ Of
Mr.. Clements, the Republican candidate
for congress from this dis,rict.
A few weeks ago, Judge VIM. j.
Allen called upon us, and in conversa-
tion that ensuod, informed us that Mr..
Clements had said TO Messrs. James NJ
Morgan and James Bollsmy, OF Carbon.
dale, jackson county, that he (Clemonts)
was opposed to tho passage of tho civil
rights bill. Judge Allen added, that these
two gentlemen were truthful men, and
that they had given to him personally this
Information. Hs requested US to write to
them on the subject. We did so. The
gentlemen refused to answer but exhibited
our letters 10 the editor of Mr.. Clements
homo organ. Mr.. Morgan or Mr.. Bel
lsmy has q right to not reply to a courte-
Gus letter, and 10 exhibit it TO tho world (;
but in this instance silence is of as much
use to US as q reply would have been If Mr..
Clements had not told these gentleman
that he was opposed to the civil rights bill
they would not refuse to tell US SO. 1t is
because Mr.. Clements has denounced the
bill to them that they refuse to reply to
our letter. This fact the comments of The
Era proves. Both these gentlemen are
Democrats, ssys the Era and they are so
we'll pleased with Mr.. Clements position
on tho civil rights bill that they intend to
vote for him. 1t is not to DO presumed
that Democrat will vote for Republi.
can bacause the Republican is in favor OF
tho civil rights bill. 1t Is bccau,e Mr..
Clements has told these Democrats that
he is opposed to the civil rights bill that
they propose 10 voto for him.
How do tho honest Republicans of tho
district like this political dishonesty in
their candidate for congrc.? What do
the colorod voters think OF it?
Tho Era says to US, that tho use Of poi-
tago stamps to ascertain tho position
of our representative in congress Is
an Legitimate use Of postage
stamps. This is surprising information.
Our opinion has been that 1t was our
right to know the position of our repre-
sentative in congress Upon all import
ant questions, and we have never doubted
that j. is our right to inquire how q can
didato for congress stands upon even the
civil rights bill. Senator Logan says that
tho man who does not ondorso tho bill Is
not Republican or patriot. The Era
tolls us that to endeavor to ascertain
whether tho Republican candidate for
Congress is sound on this great question
is not q Legitimate" endesvorl
Evidently tho Republicans intend to
carry this district by carrying water on
both shoulders-by refusing either TO
openly condemn or approve the civil
rights bill. If Mr.. HArtzell permits
them to do no, We are mistaken in our
man. He should at once challenge Mr..
Clements to define his position on this
issue, and compel him to do SO.