The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-05-26
THE TRUTH OF HISTORY.

necessity of having history presented
precisely in accordance with the truth as
established by the record.
In another column, We have copied
an article from the Vicksburg Herald,
which is so truthful presentation of
the facts in regard to the legislation of
1866, and the cotemporaneous events,
that we would be content to reproduce
it without adding word, but for what
We regard a grave error of history pa
renthetically inserted into it. We refer
TO the paragraph attaching the whole re-
sponsibility to the Democratic party for
the act Of secession. Ia presenting the
facts, we will divest ourselves OF pre-
conceived views and partisan convictions,
and state them precisely as the record
justifies, nothing extenuating, nor setting
down aught in malice.
The responsibility for the secession of
Mississippi for what she regarded as
destruction by sectional majority of the
conditions on which the Union was estab-
lished, belongs equally, whether 10 their
honor or dishonor it is not the intention
of this writer TO discuss, to both the old
parties, Wing and Democratic.
THE INITIAL MOVEMENT.
The movement which finally culmina-
ted in secession, was started by g a meet
!" ing of citizens of Central Mississippi,
aoittoad distinction of party, in the Re
preventative Hall in the city of Jack
: son, on the 9TH of May, 1919, for the
purpose of taking into consideration
:" the course now being pursued by many
" of the Northern States through their
20 Representatives and Senators in Con-
g gress, and State Legislatures, ETC.
This meeting was presided over by his
Excellency, j. W. Matthews, Demo
crat,) ON the motion of d. w. Adams,
(Whig.) An equal number of Vice
Presidents was taken from the two parties
Hon. w. l.. Sharkey, (Whig,) cad
dressed the meeting in explanation of
''the objects for which it assembled and
"urged the propriety of making this a
preliminary meeting to a Convention
:" at some future period, of the citizens of
:" the respective counties OF the entire State,
"and concluded his remarks by offering
&c the following resolution, which was un-
animously adopted:
ResOlred, That a committee be appoint
ed to draft resolutions and prepare an
address explanatory of the objects of
this meeting"
The resolution was adopted. Four
teen committeeman were appointed
seven Wings and seven Democrats-with
Judge Sharkey as their chairman. He
reported an address reviewing the history
of the sectional agitation in which the
entire blame was charged upon the North
ern States. In the epigrammatic style
of the distinguished author, it was said
We meet not to agitate-not to act
:" but to prepare for action auhen the occasion
mag be forced upon u.s." The address also
contained the essence of State sovereignty
as advocated by the devotees of The
States Rights school; and concluded with
this recommendation
Resolped, That 1t is most important to
obtain general expression of the will,
understanding anG voice of our fellow
citizens of Mississippi, etc.
ResOtued, That to that end we respect
I'll l.. l.. ] Il
to hold Immediately in each and all of
the counties, primary meeting OF the
citizens for the choice of delegates to
meet in Convention at the Capitol, on the
1st Monday in October next, etc.
Resolved, That as the controversy in
volved is one on which 1t is impossible that
any party differences IN this State can erist,
and in order to prevent any undue as
sumption or suspicious on this score, are
urge 1t as proper and necessary, that there
should be an equal number of each of the
great political parties in the delegates so to
be chosen, ETC.
This programme was carried out to the
letter. Delegations, composed equally
of Wings and Democrats, were chosen
from every county; and when the State
Convention met in October, it was found
that the injunction Of the original meet
ing to that effect had been strictly OBJ
served. The list is long one, and it
contains many an honored name The
luminaries Of both parties were present
and in all the committees an equality of
representation was maintained in order
that there might be fno suspicion" that
party differences on so grave a sub
ject" could exist
Judge Sharkey was elected President
and it is fortunate for the truth of history
and for the vindication of our State, that
his address has been preserved among her |
archives. As the mists of
the night are dispelled by the rays of the
morning sun, so Will the calumnies and |
falsehoods of her slanderers at home and |
abroad be forever put to flight BY the
vindication which he made
Of her course and of her subsequent ac-
lion in all the trying scenes through
which she has passed.
In this address the nature of the gov
eminent was discussed, and the history
If the agitation which afterwards termi-
lated in civil war, was traced. The au-
hor said Scarce has the stain of revo-
'lutionary blood shed for liberty,
faded from the face of the land, before
it has been found Necessary for the pco-
pie of the South to prepare to check threat
'ened aggression. = x x Our (Northern) .
'countrymen are arrayed against US in {
civil strife. x x Blinded bg the g1oisoo ,