The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-11-29
NO.. 6.
MAJ. J. Vi. WATTS OPEN REPLY TO
GEN. CHALMERS.
A Manly and Patriotic Wow.

From the Winonl Advance.
THE SILVER QUESTION.
WGNoNA, Miss, Nov II, 1879.
Captain b. +. Jones:
Editoy Ad0nllce-I find in the COMET.
OF Nov 10th, 1873, an open letter from
Gen. j. Il. Chalmers, addressed to myself,
on the silver question, and Col. Lamar S
connection with it, and while | do not pro-
pose entering into discussion upon its mer-
It's, l DO propose solving the seeming
mystery of the endorsement by the people
of Col. Lamar. Apart from his views on
the currency, he is esteemed by his people
a great national, conservative and proper
thinker and actor upon all the questions
involving our interest and our duty as
memberG of great commonweath-eve
Viglant and active in proclaiming what he
concelves to be right, independent of con-
sequences. For this he is greeted and hon,
ored. lie was, and is, of adverse opinion
| to the then convictions of the Legisl ture
and our members of Congress- and our peo.
! pie generally on the silver bill-but now,
l am sure, to condemn one or the other is
not the word that should be used all are
awarded honesty of opinion, purpose and
action, and since the rapid development of
l+4S 'hh JCSI III NlIlCu al phTlltb 10 lluL
most intricate and difficult subject have
falled IN their calculations, pro and con,
not one single one establishing infalibilitv
not even John Sherman, the great moquI
of finance. Then, it is not difficult to see
how Col. Lamar, amid all the erriug the
ores, may be endorsed and greeted with
welcome plaudits, and our members of Con
gress similarly treated. Hence, if | used
tbe words 'spnp1ap,pj' ,l,,,,
have an improper signifcaton, and Col. /.
Lamar, Gen. Chalmers, and other mems
beTs, together with the Legislators, stand .
acquitted in my judgment, and | believe I |
speak the sentiment of the State. | differ /
with him on his financial policy. but not .
half so widely as | did before hearing him
speak. OF course We all want unlimited
coinage of silver, and 1 think are not at
variance With the Colonel on that point.
and if it never leaves the Treasury. it may
serve as basis for the issue of the more
convenient greenback-and if it is to res
main in the vaults we will have no occasion
to increase the weight or value of the sill
yer dollar for the worlds convenience. for
the world will not get any of il, while the
balance of trade is in our favor. and can
not anticipate charge in that respect.
The truth is, the currency is a dangerous
thing to tamper with. and thousands of ;
theories have fallen to the ground. and
none are perfect, Or independent Of cir
hence, l conclude that Col
Lamars Judgment is made up from stand
point greatly superior to mine, and l am :
Drought to doubt my own conclusions, or :
hose of any one less favorably situated or 9
ess gifted in mental ability than lie is. :
Then, believing him, as do, to be high :
lbove the suspicion of taint, and honestly :
aborlng for the adyacement of a common I
cause, with no personal end to serve |, Of .
course, can Join heartily in the endorse =,
nent of Misslssippis Lamar-our Lamar +
of whom we are proud and would not if :
could, remove him from the L. S. Senate
o make place for any living man; nor have
word of condemnation for a single y
aember of Congress from Mssissippi--alI g
f whom have proven thcmselvs an honor
o the State-worthy, and well qualified. ~
'Ol. Lamar is at the top of the masthead, n
faithful sentinel. He has reached the r
tatemans sphere-a sphere above party, g
nd. one that has been occupied by few
len since the days of Webster, Calhoun
nd Clay, either one of whom could but
ave stopped to have been President, but
referred to be right, and never failed to
lpress their honest convictions, Such are
le salt of the earth, and we must not con-
emn, while we may differ; besides the IN
oney question is small matter in CONS NJ
arson with self govermet, aud will in S
me regulate itself, and we must not waste to
nmunltlon upon it, but send our next ar
9st man to the l. S. Senate, that he nay be
with Lamar, and save if possible. tN
hat is left of this Republic. sh
j. NJ WATT. of