The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-03-18

property holders, will be unable to pay
so that the lands shall revert TO the State
and when this is accomplished, they car
then assert their rights, make, among
themselves, an equitable division of tn,
land which Is their inalienable birth-right
Such Is the character of many OF tn,
"speakings" made by these carpet Dagger.
to their colored friends, and the cUnse
quence is, they are elected to office, ana
/ the black man Is elected TO office, ana
still the old, respectable white citizens,
they who pay the taxes and have all the
property, submit, wait, and patiently
endure.
Were it not for this political interfer
ence by strangers, who have no material
interests in the State, the aspect of affair.
in Mississippi would soon be far different
and better. The intelligent white peo-
pie there understand this matter fully
they know where the trouble lies. Ii
left to their own management they would
have but little difficulty. Cooperation
and harmony would soon be restored
| between the two races. After all, the
Southern white man IS the negro's best
friend. He will go further III social
life with him, and do more for his interest
than Northern man can. From his
very childhood associations he has sym
pathy with the negro, and it never dies
out. In conversations | held with gem
tlemen, was surprised by the kindness
that tempered all their illusions 10 the
colored race. They told me there was
not man of any character, or note, in
the State, who would have slavery re-
established if he could. They do not
want the African re-enslaved. They are
willing to accord him the rights Of cit
zenship, to a fuller extent, ana more
cordially, than he would be allowed such
rights in any portion of our Northern
States. And yet in the process of recon
structing their social, political, and bust
ness affairs, they do not think it right,
IN addition to the natural impedlments
presented by this stupendous civil ele-
ment of ignorance, that they should be
compelled to contend against the machi-
nations of politicians who are but aliens
to the State.
Without personal observation the ex-
tent and influence of this political inter
ference can scarcely be imagined. Oi
course it would be a difficult task enough
for any of the old slave States to read
just matters under the new dispensation
so as to evolve peace, harmony and pros
perity; but owing to the causes | have
named, the work of reconstruction in
Mississippi seems to be task well-nigh
hopeless. The most concise, and yet
most comprehensive description OF its
present condition may be compromised
in two words; doubt and blight. All
things are in doubt; trade, manufactures,
support OF schools, collection of taxes,
collection of debts, value of property,
validity Of titles; and blight rests upon all
personal and State interests. Lands
that were valued, few years ago, at
from SO to 500 an acre, can now be
bought for 81 an acre. Counties that a
few years ago produced 80, 900 bales OF
cotton, now produce ID, 900 bales.
If the hurtful influences that have been
brought to bear upon the colored people
could be withdrawn, they would soon
come to understand, as the white citizens
already acknowledge, that the interests
of the two races iii Mississippi are identi-
cal, and they would quietly acquiesce in
measures for the general good, and the
whole State would soon enter upon an
era Of prosperity commensurate with its
munikcent resources.
1t was an unwise and spasmodic pa
triotism, and abuse Of rational freedom,
which made such an indiscriminate
bestowal of the elective franchise. If
the people are 70 be sovereigns they
should first be educated to the ability
to rule. There should be educational
Of
color or race, emitting citizens to vote.
Professional thieves, gamblers, habitual
drunkards, and all that cannot read the
Constitution of the United States, should
be prohibited the right of suffrage. Had
such restriction been imposed in lifting
the black race from slavery into citizen
ship, the work Of reconstructing the
South would have been accomplished
with less trouble, and under a more hui
name and intelligent direction.
1t is a mistaken idea that the white
people of Mississippi feel bitter and hos
tile towards the citizens Of our Northern
States. If there are any such, they are
exceptions to general rule. L had an
excellent opportunity to test the charac-
ter and sentiments Of the masses. | told
them frankly that | had always been
strongly opposed to slavery, and was glad
of the emancipation. found them as
tolerant of the expression of opinions as
we of the North, and, in a social sense,
most hospitable and generous.
What Mississippi now mostly needs is
immigration from the North. If the
landed proprietors would organize them
selves into an association, divide their
old plantations into small farms; and send
committee to New England to make
liberal profers for actual settlers, they
would induce large number of families
to immigrate from their bleak bill sides
to the rich plains of the sunny South.
4 little Yankee thrift spread over
Mississippi would soon ''set things to
rights" and prove a leaven of intelligent
industry that would bring incalculable
benefit to the State H. L.
Tree Culture