American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1879-07-26
down the arms OF his rebellion.
MADISON.
STATESMEN VS.. INDEPENDENTS.

AR. Editor-In support of the
position taken by me i'll my commu-
nication OF last week, L desire to
quote briefly from some of the most
eminent, wise and patriotic Demo
cratic leaders and eXpounders i'll
the State of Mississippi. First, l
asserted that party unity is neces-
sity. In support this, | will quote
from the address of the Democratic
Executive Committee, of which
Hon. f. Barksdale is chairman,
Published August 7lh, 1877, which
says:
"The Democratic party stands
pledged to continue the reforms so
auspiciously begun. To this end, it
must preserve its organization. The
discipline necessary to concerted ac-
ton, in the choice of public agents,
must be enforced. The Republican
party has disbanded, ostensibIy
but their leaders have made no se~
cret Of their hope that the Demo
cratic party will destroy itself by
its own dissensions, and thus pave
the way for the re establishment of
Republican rule, with its attendant
horrors, in this State. They are
inviting sO-called independent move
ments, and holding out tempting
offers of support to the disappointA
ed and disaffected.
"Independence of the Democratic
organization is Republication in
disguise.
at is an attempt to strike do1n
the party ,ohich bears the standard of
reform, and to restore, under a spe-
cious garb, the iule of the party for
the overthrow of which the good
men of the State united i'll the ex-
citing contests of the past two
years. The motives which have
hitherto impelIed the union of the
latter still exist, and we address
this appeal to the people of the
State, in the confidence that they
will respond with their votes ap-
proximating unanimity for the
Democratic ticket at the coming
election"
This is pure Democratic water,
fresh from the fountain head and
the wisdom of those who announced
it had forecast the future and espied
the germ of spoliation in the "spo-
radio" Independent, who-shame
that it can bc said-will soon pre-
sent himself before the intelligent
voters of Madison for office. Is this
political nonentity, without a rec
ord, chart or compass, who has nc
other interest in politics than to adj
vance his personal fortunc-stand-
ing behind aud endeavoripg to rally
the dismayed and fleeing cohorts of
Radicalism-tob be allowed to die.
tate to the proud Democracy of
Madison county the terms upon
which they are TO purchase success?
Or shall we remain true to our par
ty, true to ourselves, true to human
ity and humanity's God?
Let those who are seeking to en-
barrass our political situation by
dissenting in an ugly manner from
the action of the majority, listen to
the prophetic words of Gen. George,
spoken before the State convention
at jackson, last August. He said:
"From undisputed supremacy
come, first, divisions as to minor
questions of policy-dIfferences en-
gendered by rivalries among men
and finally, if this tendency be not
arrested, disintegration and politi
cal death. We have gained our
present ascendency by an unselfish
devotion to the public veal, harmo-
ny in council, union in action-a
yielding up of persona! aspirations
and personal resen'ments, for the .cons>
mon good. We will lose it when we
shall cease to be governed by the
same high motives. Men are ephem-
eral; it is but little concern what
may happen TO any one of us, as af
fecting merely his political fortunes.
We trust that the State may be
perpetual, and that the party organ
izatiOn through which we serve her
may last for many generations"
The New Orleans Democrat, dated
August 90. 1877, has the following
to say Of our last State convention
"The platform adopted by the
convention Is expressive of the aims
of the party, and presents a creed
which will defy criticism and excite
the admiration of the advocates OF
constitutional liberty"
My second proposition was, that
1 believed it impossible for two dis
unct peoples-equal in constitu>
tional rights, but unequal In all
things else-to be SO far nodded
into one as to be capable of harmo-
NOUS political action, and that the
government of euch combination
would not be acceptable. In support
of this cite the words of Hon. Wiley
p. Harris, addressed to the Societies
at Oxford University, on the 18th
of last month. In the course of an
grafton upon sPatriotism," this dis
tinguislled gentleman said:
81 find myself so near grave
matter, the question paramount with
us, that l will express myself upon
il tn these Young gentlemen. A