The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1880-01-10
THE coPIAH ELECTION.
The Facts about the Election Of the
Independents, Mcneil and Buff
kin.


LETTER FROM Dr.. A. HUNTER.
Crystal SPRINGS, Mss, /
December %, 1879. /
EDITORS CLARION. As the question Of
admitting the Representatives Of Copiah
county, Messrs Mcneil and Bufkin, into
the councils Of the Democratic party may
arise during the sitting Of the Legislature,
it may not be amiss in me to state some
facts in reference 70 the course pursued toI
secure their election, especially that Of Mr.
J. w. Mcneil.
In order 10 make the situation clear, |
will state that parties are pretty evenly
balanced in the county that is to say, the
registry shows about a. many black as white
voters registered. Perfect unity, therefore,
in the Democratic party is essential To sue
cess In order 70 secure this unity the Elk
eGutiye Committee thought it advisable 10
hold first primary election and then con-
firm the choice Of the people by ratifying it
in Convention. The primary election and
Convention we're both held, and both re-
suited in the nomination OF d, w. McRae
and myself for the Legislature. The Con-
venton required pledge from each can
didate that he would support the nominees
OF the Convention and abide by its deeis-
ion. This pLedge WaS very soiemaiy giUea By
Mr.. Mcneil, but only giUea TO be broken, for
as soon as he found he was defeated he en-
tered into negotiations with the Radical
leaders with view to defeat the regular
nominees The negotiations resulted in a
compact by which, on the one hand, the
| Democratic party was 10 be disorganized
and on the other the sOiid Radicoi negrl
uote was to be given to the disorganizers
| This unrghteous compact was successful
and the Democratic nominees were defeated
The victory is as essentially victory o
Radicalism as it could be, and it is so de
clared by the leading Radicals in the
county. How could it be'otherwise? The
Loyal Leagues were revived and the negro
voters were marsbalcd and marched up t.
the polls solid for the Disorganizers. Tn,
ticket they voted was mongrel ticket, com
posed of Independents (so-called) and Rad
icals. In fact, Mcneil and BuiFkin were
TO all intents and purposes, candidates run
ming in the Interest of j. p. Matthews, VIII,
was the Radical candidate for the Office o
Sheriff. and who, rs reward for his ser
vices in this matter, has since been ap
pointed United States Deputy Collector il
: place of Mr.. Edgar West, Democrat Their
would have been no contest in the count
, but for this league between Mcneil an
Matthews
And now, let me adds if these men, electe
under such circumstances, especially Nc
Neil, who violated his pledges, should b
admitted into the Caucuses Of the Demo
cratic party in the Legislature, it wi
have such blighting influence on the part
= in this county as to seriously impair if NJ
actually destroy its organization. We n
Z gard them rs having not only withdraw
from the party, but withdrawn in disgrac,
with broken VOWS on their lips, Chose VIII
pledged themselyes) and to go again int
I. caucus or convention with them would |
but giving them another opportunity
s betray 1t would place the true men of I'll
- party at Il disadvantage and give all I'll
opportunity to those who would not |
!, bound by their plghted faith, The polio
of taking disorganizers into the confdenc
of the party is so obviously unjust TO thos
n; who have "fought the good fight of faith
that no organization can, in the future
effected if it is done.
: Respectfully,
A, HUNTER