The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-12-01
Col. Lamar for senator.

EDITORS OF CLARION The question
of who shall be our next L. S. Senator
is already the subject of animated dis
cussion throughout the State. This is
natural and proper-natural because the
intelligence and talent of the State hav-
ing been so long debarred from high
positions, that it could not well be other
cwise than that there should be many
Competitors for the place. 1t is proper,
because the discussion if conducted in a
kind and friendly spirit must result at
last in a fair ascertainment of the pOpu-
lar will With the kindest feelings for
other distinguished gentlemen, and the
highest appreciation of their ability, |
allude to those who have been men
toned in this connection, | think Col.
Lamar should be elected. The opinion
is based, not upon personal Partially
for him over all others, but from a well
matured, and, | think, unprecedented con-
viction that it is the right thing to be
done. The great office of Senator is II
trust, and not perquisite. 1t is to be
bestowed upon considerations of public
good, and not of personal liking, or even
of personal services-thOugh upon the
latter score, none can exceed those of
Col. Lamar.
Mississippi has many fine lawyers, gall
liant soldiers, able jurists and worthy
citizens. She has but one distinguished
statesman. If the answer be made, that
she has but one who has had the chance
to become distinguished as a statesman,
| reply that this, even if true, does not
affect the question. If it is our duty, as
it unquestionably is, to send to. the
Senate that man, who, by his experience,
his reputation and his ability, can, from
the dav of his entrance there, take rank
with the greatest men Of the nation, and
thereby confer the greatest honor and
service upon the State, we cannot escape
that duty by saying that we have other
men who could have achieved the same
thing under the same circumstances.
The State should have its foremost man
in the foremost place, not in order to
reward him, but to obtain the best SER
vice for herself That his opportunities
have been greater for acquiring fame,
should not diminish the reward of that
fame honestly won. The day that Col.
Lamar takes his seat in the Senate, he
ranks at once with Thurman and Bayard,
and when he rises TO make his first
speech, the whole nation will listen.
The ableSt of his competitors cannot hope
to win the same weight and influence in
less than five years. But it is not true
that Lamars greatness is accidental, or
that it has been won without competition.
He was confessedly MississippTs greatest
statesman, after Davis and Brown, when
the war broke out, and he won that repu-
tatiop at a time when all the talent of the
State was unfettered to contend with
him. He left the old Congress at the
age of thirty-siX, with fame established
throughout the Union, as the most philo-
sophical thinker and the most eloquent
orator in the lower branch of that body
from the South.
Col. Lamar's election is earnestly
desired by the Democracy of the North.
His defeat will be regarded in that sec
ton as the reputation by US of those
sentiments of fraternity and Cancellation
of which he has been the most conspicu-
Gus advocate. As such, it will be uni
versally deplored by our friends, and
seized upon by our enemies. While |
admit that it is our privilege, and not
that of our Northern brenthren, TO elect
our Senator, it is nevertheless true that
Difference should be paid to their wishes,
if the man whom thew desire is IN every
respect worthy If the selection of such
man will strengthen them, and his de-
feat would injure them, we owe some
thing to their wishes and their interests,
which are also eur own,