American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-02-16
Mr. Lamar's Defense.

Lamar. AS uSual5 MI. Lamar urges
bile and plausible reasons i'll de-
tense of his pc sition. Having pub
fished the words of the press censur-
ing his course, we deem it only just
10 him to give his arguments i'll IA
vor of the same. "Athon" writes:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 6, 1878.
For the editication of your readers
last evening called on Mr.. Lamar
to hear his views on the subject of
his instructions. He spoke very
freely, as he always does, of the
great question upon which he differs
from the majority oil his constituents.
He grants freely the absolute rights
of the Legislature of his state to ill.,
struct him as to their wishes i'll
respect to the important issues
which come before the Senate.
He spoke in most complimentary
terms of the present Legislature
many members Of which he knows
to be gentlemen of education, tall
ent and character men who would
honor and adorn any station i'll life.
He was sorry he had to differ with
the people of his State on the Silver
Bill-and saddened that many of
them thought proper to mislnter-
pref his motives. He had never
harbored a thought but for the
honor of his State, Dor entertained
an ambition distinct from her well
fare. But when the Matthews Res
OlutiOn came up, what course other
than the one he pursued, was left
open to him He had always held,
he said, that absolute honesty of
purpose and candOr of expression
were Indispensable virtues in a
public official. He could not rise
in his place and give utterance and
support to a policy which he believ
ed in his heart would bring distress
upon his people. He had made PO-
litical Economy, and especially that
branch OF it relating to finances, Il
study for mole than quarter of
century; and had, OF late, studied
particularly the authors who took a
view of the double standard differ
ent from his own. But with every
investigation he was the more
deeply fixed in his convictions.
The great elements OF strength,
continued Mr.. Lamar, which make
IA people prosperous and happy, had
opposed the South, Deeming our
section ready always, since the war,
to embark in every reckless scheme
of reputation, these elements in
the North, tn-wit: Capital, the
pulpit, and the press, had attacked
our section. Capital was always
timid, aud the South should cOncil>
late it. We need builiHg up, and
most of all, capital was required to
do it. We must stimulate great
enterprises in our long-desOlate bor-
ders. To this end, we must ask the
Government to indOrSe the bonds
necessary to prosecute the works;
but how cOnld these bonds find
market when it is known that they
are to be paid in deprecated coin,
worth but ninety cents to the dollars
Government bonds had, lie said,
already deprecated i'll the marts of
Europe since the discussion of the
Silver Bill.
lie was mortified that his friends
at home should impugn his motives.
A certain election to the Vice PresI-
dency would be but a trifing COM
pensation for dishOnOring himself
III his own, and in the estimation
of his State aad section. If personal
ambition had Influenced his action,
he would have adopted the Silver
policy for however much New York
may count in a National Conven-
ton, no man could ever hope to
secure a nomination who did not
carry the full strength of his State
and section. My constituents, he
added, ought not to wish that
should go abont like a pOt-house
politician, Eseeing Only the popular
side of great questions. But, he
continued, in tone of sadness,
while no man is more sensitive to
the good opinion of his friends than
my self, l am not cast down by the
harsh judgment of those who
wrong me. While in the zenith of
my fame and popularity, l did suffer
myself to become unduly eIated,
knowing that the fortunes of pub
lie man are variable and huctuating;
hence, while under the censure of
my State, and on the under side of
the wheel, am not defect ed-trust-
ing to that time which sets all
things e1 en- and indicates the course
of those who act from high and
honorable motives.
Mr.. Lamar plainly feels mortified
that the press and people of Missis>
slppi do not stand by and sustain
bin. If they had done so, he thinks
he could be worth millions to the
South at this time. He has received
letters from mauy of the best men
in the country. NOTABLY, Mr.. Adams
of Massachusetts-w say that his
speech bas done more for the South
than anything that has been spoken
or written since the war. The Post,
of this city, though not agreeing
with Mr.. Lamar on the silver q0es-
ton. declares that his recent speech
on the subject is the first specimen
of forensic craftsmanship since the
trial of Warren Hastings. l have
given you but an impel feet synopsis
of his conversation, but regard for
your space iorbids further notice
thereof at this time.
Masonic.
Grenada Sentinel, Feb. q.
Tic Sixtieth Annual Grand Com