The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-09-29
ADDRESS
Of the Executive Committee IF the Democratic-Con
st.,atne PARTY Of the State Of Mississippi.

Recent occurrences III the state IenueI
it proper that We should address you III
reference to the conduct of the present |
canvass.
An unexpected conflict was brought on
at Clinton, on the 4th inst, by the fault
of the members of the Republican party.
In that conflict several citizens of the
State were brutally murdered, and their
lifeless bodies inhumanly mutilated- In
a day or two, sooner than could have been
anticipated, considering the circumstances
of brutality and outrage attending the
conflict in the beginning, quiet and order
were restored.
The Governor of the State has made
this disturbance a preteXt for calling on
the President for the use of the National
Army, to suppress what he was pleased
to term. domestic violence" To prevent
the disgrace, which would fall upon the
people of this State by the representations
made by the Governor, that disorder
prevailed here, which could not be
suppressed by the local authorities, many
good citizens in various parts OF the State,
though seeing no necessity for the militia
nv power, voluntarily organized them
selves into companies and rendered their
assistance, should it beneeded, to preserve
order and enforce the laws.
These offers, though made in good
faith and in a most respectful manner,
were not, in any instance, accepted, but
were uniformly treated with contempt.
The Governor, in his efforts to blacken
the fair name of the State and to procure
Federal troops, which he hoped to use
for the advancement of his personal
fortunes, telegraphed to the Attorney
General of the United States, that the
race feeling was so strong that it was
believed that the organizing OF II militia
of coIored men, would develop Il war OF
races, extending even beyond the limits
of the State, and that the organization OF
of whites alone would be Intellectual.
Notwithstanding, he entertains these
views, he has steadily refused the
preferred aid, before alluded to, and i:
now proceeding to organize, as we are
informed, a regiment Of each race, and tc
muster them into active service.
There can be no other reason for this
than wish on the part of the Chief
Magistrate of the State, to incite that
war which he said would be developed
and to bring disorder and confusion. For
it is we'll known to all of you, that there
has not been the slightest disorder, not
the pretence of riot or instruction,
since the disturbance at Clinton, nor has
therc been any obstruction to the eXecu
ton of the laws at any time, except such
as may exist in the incompetency and
wilful neglect of Republican officials &c
discharge their duties. That there Is
| crime in the State, is true but there Is
not more than exists in our sister States,
and there is nothing that looks like
instruction, or an attempt on the part 81
our people to obstruct the enforcement d
the laws.
In fact, we can safely say, that in nc
part of the Union does there prevail i
more perfect peace, or Il greater respect
for law, or Il greater desire to preserve
order, than in Mississippi, and this j.
we'll known 10 the State Executive, if he
knows anything of the disposition of the
people, over whom he rules.
1t is a subject Of congratuation, and OF
just pride to the people of the State, that,
cursed as we are with rulers, alien to US in
sympathy and interest, and utterly
impotent to perform any good function of
government, and with ability only to
commit mischief that we have been able
to preserve order, and to hold society to-
gether.
Under these circumstances we can
regard the present efforts of the Chief
Magistrate of the State, to put into active
service the militia, and thus, in time of
profound peace, 10 organize standing
army in violation of the Constitution Of
the United States. and of this State, in
no other light than as a deliberate attempt
to incte disturbances, so that there may
be an imaginary instruction, which he
may suppress in blood.
We deem it our duty to warn you
against these Vaccinations of the Chief
Magistrate of the State, and to urge you
not to be betrayed in a moment of passion
and Just resentment into acts of violence
not necessary for self-defence.
The horrible misruLe of the present State
government, has, very naturally, produc-
ed an intense interest among all classes
of our people in the result Of the pending
election. 1t is right, and an auspicious
omen, that this interest is so deep and so
universal. We woull not have you abate
one job or title of the earnest zeal and
determination you have hitherto manifest
ed to secure our State from the corrupt
horde Of adventures and their ignorant
and blind allies, who, By sowing distrust
between the two races, seized the govern
ment of the State for selfish and unworthy
ends, and who have so administered it
that, but for the conservative love of law
and order of our people, we would now
be in a state of anarchy. We would
rather urge you to work with a still greater
zeal, and with more untiring energy
until the redemption of the State is secur-
ed beyond all doubt.
We are glad to be able to assure YOU
that victory is so certain that it cannot be
lost, except by our Encouragement or
failure to carry on the contest to the end.
in the same spirit that has characterized