The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-01-18
A Full and Triumphant Statement OF
His Reasons i'm Private Cor
respond cnce.
.ETTER FROM HON. J. H. FIELD.

COLUMBUS, MISS, Sept. 81, 1878.
His Excellency Governor J. NJ. Stone, jackson, Miss
DEAR SIR-I have noticed several ap'
peals made through the press, urging upor
you to use the States credit, or to make
application of any moneys in the Treasury
for the relief of yellow fever sufferers.
Also, the request made that the members
of the Legislature write you pledging them
selves to vote tax upon the people to re-
imburse the treasury for such sum as might
be expended by you.
Supposing you would request the opin-
ions and pledges of the members if you
were desirous of having them, I have not
volunteered mine.
Recently, however, l have read articles
SO severely censorious of your conduct in
Withholding an appropriation of means for
the purpose named, that feel it duty to
write you.
feel confident that your sympathiea are
| as much alive as any mans to the heart
rending misfortunes of our stricken people.
and believe that you must be panied by
the restraints imposed on natural and hu-
name promptings by the conscientious
sense of duty that holds you strictly to
the proper discharge of the trust reposed
in You by the whole people. 1t must be
severe trial and must sympathize with you
rather than assail you for non-action. The
responsibility of your position, under the
circum stances, should be appreciated. You
have no authority for such an act, nor
could the Legislature constitutionaly make
such an appropriation. 1t would be
dangerous precedent dangerous ground
for the Legislature to take. The suffering
of our fellow-citizens appeals to our ma
lures with an influence almost persuading
us to forget all else but their present needs
and incline us to overstep our well de-
fined obligations and let the State take care
of its own future But is it not nobler for
us to make sacrifices than ask posterlty to
make them for us? In our selhshness
should we coerce posterity into giving aud
call it our charity? Is it wise to mend mis-
fortune by an act that would entail
calamity? We cannot violate political prin>
cples without evil conseq fences. Our
State does not assume to discharge for its
citizens their religious duties 1t invests
its functionares with no prerogatives that
deprive the private ciGiz'n of the exercise
of those moral and religious virtues which
construct the manhood and sentiment of
the people. The highest type of perfection
is reached from the activity of our reserved
privileges, and we should not transfer to
the State the mechanical performance of
those acts which if right belong to the
of christian life. Let our peo-
pie give freely to the suff .rers with no
,tinted contributions-give freely AMI res
gard it as an opportunity for the develop
ment of the better part of their natures.
This is no time for shifting our responsi-
should give with open hands and
hearts. and not make the State responsible.
Suppose five years ago an appropriation OF
one million dollars had been made for like
purposes Gf there had been the same cause)
now much of that amount would have
reached the sufferers? Can we be certain
that we will not again be afflicted with the
same misrule and corrupt government!
The magnitude of the present need and
suffering makes it common cause of hu~
nanity and doubtless the civilized world
will respond adequately. Several infected
districts have already telegraphed they have
-eceived enough money and to send no
more.
Notwithstanding the above views,
pelieve that as a last resort, all else tdit- |
nq-and the State is the last hope of its
itizens for relief then State aid should be {
endered. 1 feel certain the matter can be
rusted in your hands and that you will do
is right-that you are keeping [
uly informed and hold yourself in reserve
or such emergency as will acquit you of
,lame in the doing of SO arbitrary an act,
nd at the same time will act properly on $
he necessity. 1 have no doubt but that t
on are in correspondence with the relief !
ommittees throughout the infected dis !
riots. Very respectfully, {
j. H. FIELD.