The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1875-02-11
Two Dollars a Year.

>. good feeling and friendship bet Eeen 4
races. The true men of Mississippi d
sire no conflict, nor will they encouraj
= lawiessness Of any character, but there
sach a thing as selfpveservation, Sc
defense-the first law OF nature-writte
not upon the statute books by the har
of the Legislator, but by the hand
Almighty God in the great volume of n
ture. We see it in the humblest worI
that crawls nPon the ground, as he turn
to bite the heel that treads him in Ii
dust; we see il in the sweetest bird tht
flies in the air, warbling praises 10 il
Maker; We see it in every beast ths
roams through our groves and fields. an
| would warn gentlemen that the sam
God-given spirit burns, even deeper dow
IN the breast of man.
| know that some will say that this i
all idle talk, but let me tell YOU. il
| friendship, as one who wishes you n,
harm, that the people Of Mississippi ar,
getting terribly in earnest, and you are
! to-day tanning a fire which may burs
into fame, and sweep like wild hur
ricane over the land, destroying as il
goes. We are standing upon a slumber,
hasty action may kindle spark that
will hurl us to destruction. implore
you, colored men, by the love you bear
your wives and children, by all that is
near and dear to your hearts, to stop.
Oh stop and think moment. regard
the present as the most critical period in
the history of Mississippi. The action of
to-day may decide her destiny for veal
or for woe. This hour may be the turn
ing point, and ask, "Shall we press
forward to nober and higher plane of
civilization, of wealth and happiness, or
shall we sink beneath the wave, and leave
no stone to mark the spot where once
stood one of the fairest and loveliest of
the "beauteous sisterhooP' of States 2"
l leave each one to answer for himself
this question.
This land is broad enough for us all
and will yield to all generous support
Then come let us reason together. BE
hold how good and pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity"
Hold us not responsible for the lawless
acts of bad men. If crimes have been
committed, let the law vindicate its own
majesty, and leave the perpetrators to be
punished as the law directs. 1t should
be our highest aim to ''pour oil upon the
waters" and heal the gaping
wounds. Help us to relieve our people
of the burdens they bear; help us to re-
store good feeling by generous legisla-
ton, and invite prosperity to come back
and take up her abode amongst us again.
Help us to push on the car Of glorious
and be a happy united and
brotherhood. Let no parti-
san feeling blind us to our true interests.
The passage of this bill can do nothing
else than harm, and l would have you
remember that one who wishes to see all
the people of the State, without regard
to color, happy and prosperous, begs you
TO stop and think. In one short hour
YOU may do deed which will bring ruin
upon us all, and which you would give
worlds to undo.
We have a State rich in all her
elements of greatness. Nowhere under
the sun can be found a more inviting
field than, with good government, opens
nm TO us here in our own land, Mississip-
ri. The soil yields Il grateful reward to
the skill and industry of the laborer.
Fruits, vegetables, cereals, and our own
snowy king of commerce, in wasteful
Drofusion, may be had, almost for the
asking. and, as / have said before, the
and is broad enough for us all. Thus
in the language of the old patriarch, ~
orav then there be no strife between
me and thee" The white man needs
The black man, and the black man needs
the white man. Our interests are so
closely interviewer that one cannot suffer
the other feeling pain. Then
come, let us stand up together and labor
together for one common object, the hap
Diness and prosperity of all the people.
And in after years, when we shall have
,een the glorious fruition Of all our hopes
and all our desires, when our children
shall sing the song of gladhess, when
peace and plenty shall reign throughout
The land, and our proud old State is,
,nce more, on the high road to wealth and
glory, we will join again, in saying, "be-
hold how good and pleasant it is for
brethren to dwell together in unity"
I tell gentlemen, who differ from me
IN political opinion, that l have spoken
from my heart. have lost sight OF
every party consideration and have looked
only to the general good. 1T l have
drawn pictures unpleasant to look upon,
i is the result Of the sincerity OF my
lesire to warn you of a great impending
danger, 80 that wisdom may prompt us
10 take such steps as will enable US to
avert the approaching destruction. Let
US be wise to-day, and not appear as
IDIOTS sporting merrily upon ruins brink,
while a yAwning guilt is ready to receive
Us. Let us not act hastily and inconsider-
ateIv. l believe that there are many
,olored members upon this floor who
desire to cultivate feelings of friendship
with their white fellow-citizens, and say
10 all such here to-day, that we are ready
10 give YOU the Fright hand of fellow
ship" l ask you if there is a doubt in
your minds as to the correctness or policy
Of this measure, to give the benefit of
that doubt in the interest of peace and
good will your constituents will honor
YOU for it, When you return to your
homes, you will be greeted with the well
come plaudit of "Well done thou good
and faithful servant" No pang of an
conscience will disturb your re-
pose. your wives and children will greet
YOU with sweeter smiles, and, in after
years, when the wisdom of your action
will become apparent to all, with proud
of having discharged a
solemn duty under trying circumstances,
YOU can point to the record Of this hour
and say ''My vote was given IN the in