The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-03-01
SENATOR GORDON.
Extracts From EEi- speech at Au.
gNsGila Georgia.

The proposition is too absurd for ar
gument. But what matters it to Sena-
tor Morton that, to secure Mississippis
eight votes in the electoral college, he
must fly in the face of all precedent, over
ride the law, trample down the Constitu-
ton, overthrow local government and en-
danger popular liberty in this country {?
What matters ali this to him Picture
to yourself a Senator from one of the
States of this Union standing in the high
est legislative body known 10 the laws,
and which, under the form Of his Coy
eminent, By she Constitution he has
sworn TO support, is made the bulwarI
against an invasion of the rights of the
States-picture, | say, this grave Sena-
tor standing in that august assemblage
clamoring for committee, upon whose
report he may overthrow the popular
government of one of the co-equal States
Of this Union And then look at the
gravity of his argument The question
before the body is this Where is the
law under which the Senate Of the United
States can investigate popular election
How does the Senator seek to demon
strate that the United States has such q
DONNA w lielb arc Ills al ulilGltbo ltl
are these The last election in Missis-
sippi must and can lawfully be investiga-
ted, because you want in Georgia a con
stitutional convention and a dog law
Now, Of course, this is not literally
true, but l have done the honorable
Senator's argument 20 injustice In thus
presenting il, Indeed, 1t is a compli-
mcpt to pat 1t in that light Laugh
ter, Re does not urge the Senate to in
vestigate the election which has just oo-
Cured in one of the States Of the Union,
and which sent Democrats to Congress
and To the Legislature Of that State.
But the constitutional provision which
permits it, he has not as yet shown us.
The Senator had spoken for two days
when | left Washington, and among the
arguments that he presented was the
fact that, some time in the past, Missis-
sippi had repudiated her bonds. Laugh
ter Another was that, some time
in the past, her banks had broken, and
hence we must investigate that election
[ Renewed laughter. These were co
gent reasons doubtless, and the Senator
only needed one other point to render
his argument complete and overwhelm-
ing If, when he was treating of banks
he had only given US a chapter on the
FREEDMAN's BANK,
of which he has a right to know great deal
more than of Mississippi banks, and which
would have been quite as german to the
subject, and much nearer contempOra-
neous with the events he sought to ihvesti-
gate-if he had done that, his argument
would have indeed been worthy Of the
Senator'S patriotic, lawful, and disinter-
ested purpose. Great laughter. And
while this Senator is thus proving the
constitutional power OF the Senate 10 in
/ vestigate the Mississippi election, with q
/ view, | presume, Of relieving that State
Of their Democratic government and OF
restoring to the rebellious subjects OF
Father Ames the paternal government
with which that individual, by the grace
| Of the Republican party and Federal in
/ tervention, has blessed them laughter
for the past few years-while he is thus
engaged in the Senate, Mr.. Blaine in the
/ House sounds the Ger tennial jubilee by
summoning before him the ghost of the
| Duke Of Alva to prove that the Duke
was an immaculate saint as compared tC
the Southern people Laughter, APP
plause, and Kisses.
Probably l ought to apologize for treat
ing SO grave a subject with so much lev
ity. If such exhibitions of insatiat,
vengeance, of unconquerable prejudic,
and Of undying hate at such a time
when the hearts Of the Southern peopl,
yearn for peace, and the people every
where, North, South, East and West
hail the return OF the one hundredtl
anniversary of American independence,
as day of oblivion to all these horrit
memories-if such an exhibition of par
tisan passion does not proclaim thes
men unfit and incompetent to rule thi
Government, then l know nothing o
craftsmanship and of the qualification
requisite for rulers of republic, which
if it live at all, must live in the hearts O
q united people. Great applause.