The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-12-15
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HOLLY SPRINGS, Dec. 8, 1875
| Eds. CLARION .-In note to my arti-
Gle in your paper of the 24th uIt., you
remark that the writer was probably not
aware that Gen. Lowry, Hon. A. r.
Johnston and Hon. Lock E. Houston,
were old Wings. did know that they
we're old Wings, but did not know, at the
time my article was penned. that they
were candidates for United States Sena-
tor. would not do them any injustice,
and, therefore, desire to make this expla-
nation.
But while there are several distin-
guished Wings spoken of for the place,
| think Mr. Watson is more widely known
throughout the country as Wing leader
in Mississippi in the olden time, and a
man of liberal and conservative views
since the war, than any other " hig in
the State And / think none of US fully
appreciate the profound impression for
good, both in the u. s. Senate and in the
North, which the election of such 3 man
atthis time would produce. 1t would
give him an influence in the Senate,
which is much needed in that body, and
have a most favorable effect, as l think,
throughout the country, especially in
view of the coming Presidential contest.
I am not writing in any personal inter
est, but in behalf of what sincerely be-
lieve to be the public good. I have
other personal friends who are candidates
for the place, for whom | would feel as
deep a personal interest as for Mr.. Wat
son. But take my position on higher
grounds on ground which cannot,
think, be overlooked, without shutting
our eyes to the manifest dictates of JUS
tice and good policy. And it is hard to
do an unjust or impolitic thing without
producing harm.
I see that can Old Henry Clay Wing
protests against the advocacy of Mr..
Watson's claims upon the ground above
taken. / admit the claim would not
come with a good grace from Wing;
but coming from a Democrat it is very
different matter 1t then becomes vol
untary concession of what was not claimed
as right. A very little perception, it
seems to me, was required to discover the
difference; and the slightest scrutiny of
my former article would have enabled
anyone to see that it was written by a
Democrat, and not a Wing. He says
l.
on the fact that he was opposed to seces-
sion J" and that your correspondent us
disguised with the sycophancy to Radical
sentiment which this idea seeks to pander
to-" / have only two observations to
make in reply to this. The first is, that
my article did not place the merit on the
fact that Mr.. Watson and his party were
always Opposed to secession ;" but upon
the different ground that although that
that had been their lifetime faith, yet
when the State decided for secession, their
patriotism overcame all prejudice and
they went as heartily with us, and fought
as hard and suffered as much for the
cause of secession as its most ardent adj
vocates. And if your correspondent
does not see the wisdom of Cancellation,
be is blind to the signs of the times, and
ought to think twice before writing again.
And lastly, if had he exercised more dis
eernment, and less stdisgust, in considering
my article, he would have taken its points
better, and been wiser and more con-
tented man.
/ see that some papers criticise severely
the Ames resolutions, as they are called,
of the Holly Springs Democratic Club,
which were introduced by Mr.. Watson.
was present at that meeting and voted
aqainst those resolutions, and would do
so again. But think there has been
much hyper-eriticisns upon them. They
were not intended to forestall the action
of the legislature in any respect; the
question of impeachment was not consid-
cred at the time, but was entirely prefer
mitted. The resolutions merely express
the hope that Gov. Ames will stpersevere"
in the measures of retrenchment and re-
form heretofore Recommended by him,
clearly implying that he had only recon-
mended them and went no farther and
they request the members of the Legisla.
ture to s'give him their confidence and
support in all matters Of State policy de-
signed to advance the true and permanent
interests of the State. That is, as | I'M
derstood it, to cooperate with HMM good
faith, aehile he may be Governor, in any
measures to promote those interests which
he may be disposed TO forward; "but no
further or otherwise" IS a lawyer would
say. Thus understood, they are very
harmless resolutions after all.
AS to impeachment, | hope our Legis-
lature will deal cautiously with that mat
ter. Let there he no partizan action, for
it is purely aiudiciaI question ), and moth
ing is more detrimental to the public good,
or dangerous TO public liberty, than to
deal with judicial questions in a partizan
spirit, or upon party grounds. Unless a
clear case can be made by proof, better
not touch it But if the case is clear,
and the proof accessible, by all means
let the Legislature do its duty, without
fear and favor.
MARSHALL COUNTY.