The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1876-02-23

To-
Senator Bruce, of Mississippi, listened
1 to the insinuations of the Democrats, and
the soothing remarks of the Liberal
Republicans, until he could bear it no
I longer Then he took the floor like a
1 bombshell, and scattered his shot i'm all
directions. He said that the colored
men Of the South had suffered every I'M
dignity from the white Democrats, and
their rights had been trampled under
foot by those who were supposed TO rep
resent the government Instead of pro-
tecting their rights under the Constitu-
ton, President Grant had deserted them
aud left them helpless under the heel of
desp0tism Ii was useless to conceal
truth any longer. President Grant had
not kept his promises. His admiuistra-
ton was n failure, so far as justice To the
colored voters of the South was concerned.
The passion Of the speaker grew more
intense at every word, and when he had
reached the grand climax, in his descup-
tive recital OF the ourages committed ON
his people, he astonished the silently
listening Republicans by declaring with
great emphasis that the time for looking
to the administration for help had pass
ed. There was no help for the negroes,
unless they made peace with the Demo-
Gratis He was in favor of going over 20
them, as the only measure of safety 10
the negro. He denounced Grant and
the leading white Radicals of the South,
as untruthtul and treacherous, suggested
that they used the negro for selfish pur-
poses only, and did not scrUplc 10 hare him
killed in order to furnish political capital 10
tie party. lie said the negro could not
further trust them, but would be CONF
PEELED, for self-protectiun and quiet, %
form political alliances with the resident
white men of the South, who, ms q class,
were honest and trustworthy.
The speech produced a terrible panic
among the Radicals. Senator Simon
Cameron, true to his vigorous way of eN-
pressing himself said, ''it was hell ola
speech, and Alcon enjoyed 1t hugely.
The Democrats applaudcd il, and told
Senator Bruce the negroes ought all TO be
Democrats.
Senator Alcorn, in reply TO Bruce, said
that he was sorry to hear such injudicious
remarks from his colleague. lie admitted
much Of what had been said, and he knew
that the colored people had suffered many
wrongs, but the President had been
their true friend and had done everything
possible for them, under the powers
granted him by the Constitution Of tho
United States.
Senators Conkling, Morton, and other
Northern Republicans followed in the
same spirit, and rehearsed a long cata-
logue OF benefits which the cOlored pe0-
pie had received from the government
They knew that full and impartial
Justice would be done them in the end
Bruce said he had no quarrel with
Alcorn; but he paid little attention TO
these assurances. lie said he knew what
he was talking about The cOlored vOt-
ers were not to be deceived any longer
by administration promises. He wanted
the Northern Republican Senators present
to understand that the great masses of
the colored people of the South would
not vote for Grant for "a third term.
Thousands Of negroes had been shot
through the negligence of the officials
appointed by President Grant, and the
survivors would not cast their ballots for
him again.
Washington Cor. Chicago Timcsl
This was Bruce's signal. He arose
excitedly and poured out a stream.of de-
nunciation so vehement and incsivo
against the Republican party leaders
and Grant especially, that Morton quailcd
and moved his hand dcprocatingy. Eide
munds, shocked at such language in tho
Senate Chamber, attempted To interrupt
the indignant darkey, but 10 no purpose.
Conklng tried his lofty airs and graees,
but Bruce plunged ahead and shrickod
] Al. 4 /. q
break in. The Grant Senators had u
dim idea that the coiored people were
somewhat opposed To- the President for d
/ third term, bat were NOT prepared for s0
/ sweeping an attack. Bruce repeated, in
violent terms, that, speaking for himself
and his people, he rejected Grant and
opposed him tor a third term, and, wax
/ ing warmer and boldcr us he proceeded,
| he accused the President of having lied
to his people. Here there was q great
sensation and cries of "urier.' Ed
munds tried 10 irown him down and
! Conking TO suilucate him with uavity
but it was ro use. Bruce'- blood was
up. lie would neither be silenccd 10y
frowns nor smiles, but putting spurs No
| his Pegasus, rode ryugh-shoI over Che
! lacerated feelings of the party. Upon
Grants baleful patronage on public af-
fairs in Mississippi be laid the RESPONSE
bility for most of the troubles In that
State, charging that the President had
managed their affairs through political
parasites who were no better than public
4 thieves, and then under these officials
got them into a state Of turmoil and vio-
I lence, and refused to respond 10 their
first, last and only call for Federal troops,
because there was 40 brotherin-law iu
/ that State who wanted 10 become
/ United States Senator.