davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26
The Proposed Sin ef january
Convention.

1t will have been seen that there is not
unanimity in favor of the proposition to
hold a State Convention of what is
termed the White Democracy on the
6th of January. A large meeting Gin
Prentiss county, in North Mississippi,
has declared it ''unwise and unnecessa-
ry," and the Holly Springs South con-
tains the following expression to the same
effect:
We do not concur in judgment with
those who are now urging a conven-
ton CT the Democrats and Conserva-
tives Of the State 10 be held January Sth
1875.
In the first place. we cannot perceive
4 the necessity for such step, so long
before any general election Is to be held,
and, as rule. when reasons for proposed
action are not manifest, non-action is
the safest. In this case, we think there
are weighty reasons against the proposed
action, which it is our purpose to give
next week.
The Natchez Democrat whose
democratic orthodoxy is as conspic
uous as its ability and whose gen
eral good sense and moderation cannot
but divest envy and malice of their sting,
has several strong articles dissenting from
the terms of the call. One of which it
concludes as follows:
We have been led TO these few remarks
by the fact that, in pursuance of the
White Line mass Meeting held at Meri-
| dian, on Nov. 9TH, whereat resolution
was adopted recommending the white
people of the State to organize themselves
into compact white legions, ~ the White
Line Executive Committee of Vicks burg
has recently adopted the following reso-
buttons for a State Convention.
As Adams comes first on the roll OF
counties in Mississippi we take the liber-
ty ofanswering for it that, if we correctly
apprehend the sentiment of the white
men of Adams, they will lend no aid or
c0untenance to this movement, which they
regard as III Timed, atagenerorls, inpolitic
and pernicious.
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26
The Natchez POst-T'he Question
OfTaxaIsOn.

In another column, we have copied
from the Natchez Post, (Republican) an
article on the subject of taxation. 1t
manifests a clear apprehension of the
necessities of the people, and is direct and
emphatic in its declaration in favor of a
reduction of expenditures, which must,
of course, be attended by diminution of
the tax burden.
Coupled with the unreserved assurances
of the same sortby the Aberdeen Repub-
lican, the Meridian Gazetteand the Vicks-
burg Times, all claiming the right to speak
for the dominant party, and with such
pledges as have been made by Senator
Bennett, who states that he has matured
bills, which, without creating the least
interruption of the wheels Of the State
Government would curtail the expendi-
lures on It's account $400, 000-the
article of the Post cannot be otherwise
than gratifying.
In common with the mass of the suffer-
ing taxpayers, We will await with anxiety
the realization of the expectations which
have been built upon these promises.
The Posts specific recommendation of
the repeal of the four mill tax for school
purposes, with view to leaving the tax
levy, to each county, is excellent. To
this, ought to be added, the abolition of
hot r. Al.
school system, the Office Of county superin-
tendent, which costs an aggregate sum Of
more than 500, 900 per annum.
A summary method ought also to be
adopted for restricting the power of ex-
penditure and taxation vested in, and
exercised by Boards of Supervisors.
1t is through the agency of the local
governments that the heaviest drafts are
made on the pockets of the taxpayers
Building bridges, building poor houses,
keeping up poor houses and what not, are
the convenient pretexts for the expendi-
ture of tens of thousands upon tens of
thousands of dollars. In all the depart
ments of the State Government, immense
reductions may also be made. There is no
sense, whatever, in holding annual SEES
sions of the Legislature For extraordi-
nary causes the Governor is authorized to
call the Legislature together whenever
the public servise requires, and why not
fall back on the old system which worked
so well and was attended with so little ex-
pense to the people?
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26
The De,nocratIc Greed.

The Port Gibson Standard, in replying
to THE CLARION, admits that we were
correct in saying ''there was no color line
81 in the slogan of the victorious party in
!" therecent elections" But it says the
reason is there were no negroes where
the victory was won. All! Were there
none in Terrebonne parish, Louisiana !?
None in Caldwell, Richland, STAMINA
ny and several other parishes were We
are told by the Picayune "the whites and
4" blacks united on the parish tickets,
g ,Uih great success, in almost every in
g stance?"
No doubt reasons are as plenty as
hlackberries with our contemporary,
why his heresy was not the Demo
cratic shibboleth in the late elections
but We will give him one which Of itself
is all sufficient 1t is found in the Balti
more Democratic Platform of 1872:
We recognize the equality Of all men
before the law, and hold it to be the duty
of the government in its dealing with the
people to mete out equal and exact jus
tice to all of whatever nativity, race,
color or persuasion religious or polit-
ical.
We pledge ourselves to oppose any
reopening of the questions settled by the
Constitutional Amendment.
Now, neighbor, if you are what you
profess to be, Democrat, you must
prove it by accepting this creed, i'll its
length and breadth. Dress it up in
whatever garb you please, but you must
leave its meaning and spirit untouched.
It is the ark of the covenant of-peace
between the sections and the cloud by
day and fire by night which is leading
the oppressed people of the South out Of
| the wilderness.
The principles of the Democratic party
are the same everywhere. They are
universal freedom, progress, equa
rights, no distinction on account of race,
religion or nationality. They are the same
in Massachusetts as in Texas-in Cali
fornia as in South Carolinia-in the
gorges of the Rocky Mountains and the
savannas Of Georgia. Its flag must
carry misconceptions all over the Union,
wherever it floats. 1t must carry the
doctrine of protection to every citizen
and every class of citizens-rich and poor
high and low-singly and in multitudes
This was the creed of the party before
the war and was the secret of its hole
on the confidence of the masses
When it comes to be universally under
stood as its underlying principle, it vii
be again accepted by the people as the
party of the people-black as we'll a:
white-North as well as South.
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26

Will THE CLARION, who is the watch,
and who seldom fails to spot corruption
and robbery, inquire how much of the
SO, 900 Griggs has drawn? Do so and
sound the alarm, and let the act be re-
pealed. Let us stop all the leaks
Brandon Republican.
We shall endeavor to obtain the desired
information and answer the question pro-
pounded by our neighbor. From the
lights before US, we are inclined to believe
that most of the appropriation is gone
where the wood-bine twineth.. And if
the product of the expenditure has been a
single addition 70 our population we have
not learned the fact
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26

It is no secret that the Changers of
Kinds county are taking very active and
efficient steps to induce immigration from
Georgia, the Carolinas and Virginia into
this county. They have appointed an
agent for each of these States, and have
empowered him to offer inducements which
cannot be excelled by Texas or any other
State or Territory no matter what its
abundance of fertile lands.
Take it all and all, Kinds county 10
one of the most favored regions on the
globe. She has every variety of SOIL
A great deal of it will compare favorably
with the alluvial lands of the Mississippi
and its tributaries, and are free from the
disadvantages of overfows. A large por-
ton of these lands, once in high state of
cultivation, are now going to waste. They
are yielding no income, and are so heavi-
ly taxed, that they will soon be confiscated
at the present rate, unless the proprietors
can rent, lease or sell them-either Of
which they are prepared to do on the most
favorable terms.
Nothing is needed to crowd this splen-
did territory, with its rich lands, climatic
advantages and railroad facilities, with a
thriving population in few years, except
start in the way of immigration from the
older States, which there is a growing
tendency to abandon for more favored re-
gions. These will all be made known bv
the immigration agents, and we hope will
be attended with goodresults.
Coupled with this scheme, is the plan
of Col. Musgrove, already repeatedly
mentioned in our columns, to invite in
vestment and settlement from the North
West. In order to promote this enter
prise, he is arranging for grand excur-
sion from the North West in December.
and our people will doubtless give warm
reception to the visitors.
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26

purpose-viz: to bring an influence to
bear on the Legislature already elected to
give present and immediate relief at its
January session. They want the exist
ing laws SO modified as to prevent the en-
forcement Of the the present exorbitant
taxation tue coming year, before anoth-
er Legislature is elected) and they want
relief measure to prevent the sacrifice
of their property for taxes which have
accrued the present year.
This is all there is in the movement
for the 4th of January Convention. 1t
does not conflict with any other Conven-
ton, or interfere with any preparatory
measures for the election next fall.
| The Mercury expresses it opposition to
the policy of organizing Tax Leagues.
Our cotemporary seems to be unmindful
that they are doing great deal of good
in number of counties and among
the rest, we will mention, Warren county
where an association of the kind has been
in full operation several months.
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26

The same estate as assessed in 1878 at
s13. 760. was assessed in 1888 at So
OPS. a depreciation of So, 265, and de-
duction of slaves and other property, OF
1924 And his case is the case OF
all and
Whereas, The prosperity of every gov
eminent, especially our own state, mas
its foundation laid upon the success OF
agricultural pursuits. which success can
never be achieved while onerous and I'M
needed taxes are heaped upon him who
owns and tills the soils until the ProhtS
are absorbed, as is now done IN tins
State; and
Whereas, This great increase of taxa
ton has been created not so much by DIS
honest officials, and corrupt legislation
as by incompetent and ignorant officials,
and crude and ill-advised legislation; and,
Whereas, Great power is vested IN the
Governor of this State by law, and he
thereby has great influence throughout
the State, and can exercise that influence
and power either TO our further and IRE,
parable ruin, or enduring benefit, and
can to an almost perfect extent regulate
taxation; and
Whereas, Our present Governor stands
pledged to every effort i'll the direction
of reform and retrenchment; therefore,
by the members of this Grange be 1t
Resolved, That we do most earnestly
and urgently, though with all Difference
and due respect, request His EXceilency'
Adelbert Ames, Governor of the State
of Mississippi, in the exercise OF the
powers vested in him by the laws and
constitution of this State, that he do ap
point to office none but men OF known
and tried ability, of undoubted integrity
and requisite fitness for Office, and t.
otherwise use his great influence through
| out this State for the selection or mel
who shall not only be faithful, but also
competent; and to recommend such leg
islation as is needed to abolish unneces
sary offices; so that our State becomes no
wholly bankrupt, and our people impov
erished beyond recuperation, and W.
pledge him our cordial and united sup
port in his every such effort; and
Resolved, That we will support NJ
man for any office whatsoever, from tn
highest, but men of integrity, and with
out regard to party lines or ties, race o
color, recognizing to the fullest exten
the iralienable rights of every man be
fore the law, to life, liberty and the pur
suit of happiness.
Resolved, further, That a copy of thi
memorial he furnished to His EXcellen
cy, Gov Ames.
Resolved, 1st, That the above memo
rial and resolutions be referred TO tn
Executive Committee with instruction
to wait upon His Excellency Gov. Ames
and ask his cooperation.
I'd. That in case of the Governors re
fusal to cooperate, the Executive Com
mittee be instructed to take such action
as they may deem necessary in the prem
isps
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26

The Jackson Railroad determined not
to be outdone in Southern enterprise, "
and, believing cars and passenger coaches
could be manufactured in the South
as cheap and as good as elsewhere, have
started mammoth car works at McComb
City, and few days ago turned out a
complete train of cars elegantly fin
ished and equal to those built at Buff
falo
IhIs interest in our Southern manufac-
lures is doubtless one which will be
appreciated by our people, the more that.
IN their present impoverished condition,
1t is the duty of large corporations already
established to give an impetus to the
manufacturing interests of our section,
that, being once tried and found successful,
they may be allowed and initiated with
the best results to the county at large. N.
Q. Picayune.
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26

The Canton Mail, another paper un-
questioned Democratic loyalty, says:
We regard the proposed convention, as
above stated, as III timed and promising no
good results, but promising results most
unsatisfactory.
We regret that such convention is to
be held; we regret thnt the word white
is employed to designate the Dem ocracy
that is to assemble, for the reason that
many Democrats-good and true men
are not in sympathy with a party based
upon color distinction. We are in favor
Of convention of anti-Radicals, anti
administrationists. We are in favor of
convention of all citizens of our state
who favor reform in its administration );
call it Democratic or Conservative con-
vention, if you please, but drop the pre-
fix uhite. We believe our state can be
redeemed by uniting the honest men of
all classes We believe that the time
has come when this union can be eff
fected.
Per contra, the Port Gibson Standard,
which is probably more Jealous, and
equally sincere, in the maintenance of its
policy, endorses the call, saying:
With all of our hearts do we second
the motion. When at Meridian in Sep
TENDER, 1873, we saw the Democratic
party sacrificed on the alter of seIfsbness
and tinlidity, we were consoled by the
hopeful reflection that the time would
surely come when the betrayed Democracy
would assert its existence and its power.
That time thank God has come
Let the convention be held by all
means and let none but true men at
tend. It lciH be no place for time-serrers
and trimmerS- no preparation room for
the initiates into Radical clubs. 1t must
be a convention Of the tried and the true,
and none others should be there.
Evidently it would have been better
to have had some previous discussion and
interchange of views by the press and
the people preparatory to so grave step,
and if there had been we are quite sure
the call would have been made in such
terms and for such time ono objection
could have been urged as to the place
designated) as would have ensured the
cordial cooperation of all true friends
of reform AS it is if the Convention
is held, whether attended by few or many
we trust its course will be such as to heal
rather than open afresh divisions among
those who are intent upon the common
object OF reforming our State administra-
ton and aligning the opposers Of Radi-
calism in Mississippi, by whatever name
they have heretofore been classed, with
their brethren Of the North, East and
West; and shove all, to falsify the pre-
dictions that have been made that the
prospects of Democratic and Conserva-
tive success would be imperilled by
Southern Impotence and violence. For
Declaration of Principle, or Platform
nothing could be better for any set of
men who will meet together in the name
of Democracy, to adopt, than the Yazoo
resolutions.
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26

The fourishing town of Edwards which
claims to be second in commercial impor-
lance to no other place between Vicksburg
and Meridian, exceptJackson, can boast of
newspaper representative and advocate
its Of interest. The foregoing is the title
of a paper established there by w. H.
Buchanan, Esq. 1t is conservative Eve
use the term literally full of news,
current, events and general topics We
wish it success.
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26
IA AVIATION.
The Executive Committee of the
State Grange and Gov. Ames.

Now that the Governor is presumed to
be maturing the measures which be will
recommend for adoption by the Legisla-
ture soon to assemble, the time would be
of the State Grange to confer with him
and present for his attention the matters
set forth in the subjoined preamble and
resolutions unanimously adopted at the
last meeting of the Grange. We are
not aware that the Committee has acted
under the resolutions. We need not say
that they reflect the deliberate sentiments
of large assemblage of intelligent and
patriotic citizens representing all the va
ried interests of the State. We are not
prepared to believe that he will turn q
deaf ear to an appeal based upon the
sound reasons, and offered in the patriotic
spirit, of these resolutions:
WHEREAS, Taxation in Mississippi
has become a burden so large and ex-
cessive that the vital energies and indus
tries of our State are becoming Slapped,
paralyzed and destroyed, and ruin inev-
itably and irretrievable stares us in the
face; and while we, as an organization,
are Independent of and above all party
lines or prejudices, yet we, the taxed and
ax-paying element cannot ignore the fact
that taxes and expenses of State and
county have so enormously increased,
while property deprecated alarmingly.-
In evidence Of which facts we need but
cite the case of one member of this
Grange, whose property in 1858 was
valued and assessed at 81. SOS, and
taxed just $130 81, and whose total
worth is now SIS, 760, and yet he is taxed
for the year 1873, the sum of s513, II.
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26

In another column, we have published
a communication from Senator Bennett,
defining his position on the subject OF
taxation. He states that the Republican
party is pledged to retrench expenditures
and reduce taxes, and cites its platform
and Gov. Ames' inaugural. This is all
good as far as it goes but Senator Ben
nett must remember that the taxpayers
have reason to build very small hopes on
these pledges. They were all made ante
rior to the action of the Legislature at its
last session, which in the face of them,
increased instead of diminished the
taxes.
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26
COZ. LAMAR All TgE'EEO.
Coils. Reynolds aid Tison also
Speaks.


Speaks.
From the Lee County Journal
The largest audience we have ever seen
met together in Tupelo, were congrega-
ted on last Friday night to hear the adj
dress Of the statesman who represents
this Districts in the L. s. Congress, J..
@. c. Lamar. Full half of the audi
ence were ladies. He spoke about an
hour and half, during which time an
almost breathless silence pervaded the
house, with the exception Of the loud
and oft repeated applause. He advised
the people in the midst Of the Joy grow
ing out of the Democratic victories, to
be temperate, and discrete. To acqui-
esce in all the amendments 20 the con-
stitution, which though placed there by
fraud, are nevertheless a part of the con-
stitution, and should be held as inviol-
able as any other portion Of it, inasmuch
as they will always remain engrafted
there. and to open the question will not
benefit us, but on the contrary will result
to our detriment. We shall not attempt
any synopsis of his speech. 1t was sound,
logical, and to the point.
After Col. Lamar concluded his speech
Col. Reynolds was called on and made a
beautiful little speech of about twenty
five minutes length. Col. Lamar then
arose and stated that he saw in the audi
ence friend of auld lang syne, Col. w.
III. II. Tison, whom he would like to
hear express himself on that OCCASION
Col. Tison took the stand amid deafen-
ing call, and spoke about the same length
of time as Col. Reynold, being loudly
applauded frequently, not only by "the
glorious Democracy of the first district"
but considerable number of colored
voters who occupied the back portion Of
the house.
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26
w. l.. NUGENT,
Chairman Committee.

The Southern States relishes the Plain
dealers abuse of the CLARION 1t even
has the discourtesY to echo it. 1t has
not been our fortune to find favor in the
eyes of radicals and disorganizers of eth
er stripe. The politicians Of the States
kind abused US IN 1867 and 3 for an
ticipating the very policy on which the
National Democracy has since planted
itself, viz: that of accepting the recon-
struction measures; and they have assail-
ed US for adhering to this policy and
opposing the interpolation of the party
creed with dogmas contradieting it. We
have despaired- of securing the common
dation of the States until it can give a
hearty and unreserved endorsement to
The fundamental principles of the Demo-
cratic and Conservative party.
The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1874-11-26
F. isc lax Payers Convention

We are gratifed to learn that Rankin
and other counties are taking measures
to be properly represented in the Con-
vention of Taxpayers which will assem-
bic in this city on the 1st Monday of Jan
uary, to bring argument and appeal to
bear upon the Legislature to come to the
relief of the people, and to do it prompt
~.
This is a Convention in which every
taxpayer, large or small without reference
To party, race or color, can attend without
violating his party obligations, or inter
fering with his political creed. 1t is sim
ply Il question OF business which has no
concern with party and in which the
personal interests ofevery taxpayer in the
State are directly involved. The com
plant of onerous taxes is not confined to
counties having a majority of either one
party or the other. 1t comes from all the
counties, in every portion of the State, whe-
ther they have Republican or Democra-
tic Boards. Let all the people, then, as
they all feel the burden, act together for
removing it. We do not permit our
selves to believe that the Legislature will
pass unheedcd rem9nsranco emanating
from body Of earnest men speaking for
the whole people and appealing with deep
sincerity in their name. Let the effort be
made at all events. And meantime, let
thoughtful, experienced men ponder the
subject and bring with them their plans
so that out of the whole a wise and eff
cient system may be adopted and laid
before the Legislature.