The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-05-07
A Constitutional Convention Letter
from Hon. @. p. Webb, OF Amite.

/ EDITORS CLARION: In the Southern Herald
OF 18th March last, had occasion to offeI
some suggestions to the voters of Amite coun
ty, whom propose to represent in our next
| Legislature, and among other things made
mention OF subject since elaborated in you1
columns over the signature OF b., viz: the
holding of Constitutional Convention. !
am glad to see that the subject has claimed
the attention of others, and especially of one
having such clear views and conceptions as
| Il. certainly has | confess that this matter
has been suffered to remain without discussion
among the people of the State at large much
longer than l expected and in my opinion,
than it should A Constitution should and
Is supposed, To speak the viii OF the people,
who are to be governed by it, and should
emenate from those most interested in the
welfare OF the masses called upon TO yield
obedience TO its behests. Our Constitution. or
rather the one now live under, is a pro-
duction OF members. majority of whom
were antagonistic to Us, holding no sentiments
in accord with the people they pretended to
represent, and whose every act was an insult,
and should have been rebuked at the earliest
day it could have been administered their
entire work is replete with innovations upon
the settled policy of this State recognized and
received by our people ever since the adoption
of our first Constitution.
At the time the present State Constitution
was framed and adopted, We were powerless to
resist it, and so remained until well
nigh ruined, but since 1879 we have
been able TO speak for ourselves, and we
ought to do So byexpunging from our statutes
every vestlge OF Radical misrule and oppres-
sion, commencing AT the foundation or frame
OF government dictated TO us by that vile party |
under whose rule Mississippi has suffered in |
calculable loss in her finances as well a. the
harm done by Incorporating in our social svs-
tenn many obstacles TO the material prosper |
lty OF the commonwealth. |
believe II to be duty owe to ourselves |
and to those who come after Us, to call a CON |
vention OF the people OF the State, that we may /
frame a Constitution by a convention of the |
ny OF the State, with provisions broad enough
To cover all the great industries of our State
and afford ample protection TO the rights of all
citizens without regard to race. We have had
enough of Radical legislation, organic local
and general, prepared for our government bv
political cormorants from every cline and |
country, who lowered over and settled down !
among US, and whose presence has about |
'ulhed a once contented, prosperous and happy |
people. Let us clear away the debris they
nave left behind them, and lay our foundation
anew upon the solid basis our State govern
TODD upon from the time it merged from Ter
itorial probation until the Inauguration of
he Radical dynasty.
Political parties must not only be lust but |
consistent, or they soon break down; that the |
Democratic party has ever been since it had
IN existence, the unfaltering advocate of the /
'eoples rights no one Will deny; that party '
till has their confidence, and must SO con
niue, or we will fall an easy prey to the Re ,
publican party; many of whose leaders Sty |
hat the Democrats We're over-clamorous for :
he control OF the legislative, judicial, and ex-
cutlve departments OF our State government | =
hat they might change the system and laws
lade by the Republicans while in power; vet '
hen We had obtained full power to make such
hanges, we found that the Republicans had 7
FINISHED US with such an admirable Constitt-
on, and code Of idws that we could engraft no | -
Improvement, and consequently qracefayg ac- |
pted their offerings, and SO long as we remain A
lIescent and satisfied with their Constitution
nd laws, we furnish evidence, (as the Repub- =
cans say,) OF the truth OF their statements u
We should love Constitution and laws. | L
I'd we Will, when we have the making of | W
EN-, but we can never can cherish the Consti-
IN, and laws, made for us by the interlopers Z
no sat IN the convention and Legislative | Vi
III, when they We're framed and enacted. m
It us have Convention to remodel our whole m
stem OF organic laws GEO. f. WEBB. ii,