The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-06-25
Letter From Hon. o. R. Singleton

Yazoo Herald
Washington City, D. c., May IS, 1879.
DEAR SIR: Having noticed several editorials
and COMMUNICATIONS in your city papers in
lation the election of a United States Sena-
tor, and standing in the position of a candidate
for that office, beg leave to give in a few
words my general views upon the subject. The
choice of Senator to serve in the Congress of
the United States is of the highest attributes
OF sovereignty and should be exercised with
caution. This choice not being directly con-
fidcd to the people, but made through their
accredited representatives in the State Legisla-
ture, and the term of service being for six
years thus giving a lease of power which from
its length tends TO lessen the sense of RESPONSE
biIty of this high official it becomes n matter
of the highest concern to the people that their
voice in this election should be heard and
obeyed One OF the great troubles OF the age Is
that power. under our Government, in all
others which have preceded it, is constantly
stealing from the hands of the many into the
hands ofthe few, and oftentimes mere fraction
of the whole are left as managers and headers
to direct and control the masses. Herein lies one
of the greatest dangers to popular rights
and popular sovereignty. Senators in Congress
the servants of the people, and should be
chosen by the people, through the constitution
al method, to represent the viii of the people
And should the time ever come in the history
OF the country when the people, either by nom
Of their political rights or by tacIt consent,
shall allow members of the Legislature TO elect
Senators without reference TO their wishes, then
the masses the control of the government viii
have persisted, and an oligarchy will have been
founded upon its ruins. individuals have read
history to little profit who have failed to be
impressed by the fact that in all popular gov
ernments the first evidences of decay to
be found in the concentration of wealth and
power in the hands of favored few.-We
have well nigh written the first chapter in this
history of decadence by allowing the money
power to get control of the Government in most
of its branches; and it requires but one more
a.. ~ lfzN
box, to complete the overthrow of popular gov
eminent. The worlds history is full of govern
mental wrecks which have stranded upon the
rocks and shoals of popular apathy and indif-
erence as to the choice and character of those
called to administer public affairs. And now,
since recent events history have
demonstrated that bold and INSCRIPTIONS men
can with impunity seize upon the Presidential
office and convert it TO their own uses in def
anee of popular will, and that fraudulent
President can at pleasure, and as often as his
peoples representatives does II not behoove the
people to plant themselves firmly upon
their constitutional well as reserved rights,
and make their will felt in every branch and
department Of the Government?
Why should they not, in their own way, indi-
cate To their representatives in the State Legis-
lature their preference for U. $. Senator? What
man fit to represent the people in the State
councils would be willing to misrepresent their
views upon this most important subject? How
can such Representative carry out their views
what better way they be expressed than
through their primary elections, their Beat and
County Conventions, in such other mode as
they shall select to focalize public sentiment
1t is suggested in opposition to this view of the
subject that the agitation of the Senatorial ques
ton may engender dis0ord in the Democratic
party. Why should such a result follow? Can
not the voters in any and every county in the
State quietly express their preferences without
disturbing the equanimity of the Democratic
party +? This is a novel doctrine TO the veterans
in that organization. / trust the voters in every
county in the State will make their voices heard
and respected in this matter. Let the Senator
be the choice of the people, and not of rings and
combinations. Under no circumstances could
consent to hold this exalted position at the
hands of an unwilling constituency. It would
have no ehaFms for me if obtained by fnesse or
the suppression of The popular win. Let the
people speak out upon the subject, aud let
eveTy candidate bow to their behests- regard
this as the surest method, and might 60 further
and say the only one, by which popular rights
and political liberty can be preserved
o. n 6TNGEEZ0N,
WIS, EPPsHpl. Esq xanOo City,