The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1880-01-14


tioDs, although repugnant TO your convictaons
of the best interests of the country
S-Would you feel bound to obey such In
uctions whether such Legislature be DEM
ocratjc or Republican,
As mere law question | have never sup
posed Senator to be under any constitution
al or legal obligation to obey the instructions
of State Legislature. But if were Senator
should obey them unless in conflict with my
deliberate and settled convictions of public
duty or constitutional obligations II the
Legislature instructing me was chosen AFTER
my election and not with reference 10 the
subject matter of instructions, would con-
slider il a less direct and certain Manifesto
ton of the popular will, and the force OF
such instructions 10 that extent weakened,
I would not obey the instructions of a
Republican Legislature upon any question
of national policy to which, a a Democrat
| should be opposed. Upon other ques-
tions. whether l would obey or not, wouid
iepend upon whether | considered them al
the time the exposition of the Will OF my
constituents This, when clearly ascertain
ed. in whatever form, would control my
action within the limits above indicated.
Question l0-Are the views expressed by
you in response to the foregoing ne same tAat
you have advocated during the last two years
Answer have never, at any time,
pressed above, and when questions OF paD-
lie finance were drawn into the late canvass
in this State. l urged these views in public
speeches There was no occasion for me 70
discuss the weight and fneness Of the silver
dollar, nor the subject ofinstructIons, and l
did not do 50.
Question lido you approve condemn
the public conduct of Senator Lamar, and Il
YOU condemn. in what particulars and upon
what grounds do you do So
Misunderstanding that by econ
duct" is meant the general policy OF oena-
tor Lamar since his return to public life, !
answer that [ think it has been marked by
wisdom courage, moderation and single
minded devotion to the true interests Of the
Southern people Contrasting our present
condition with that under which We were
suffering al the time he entered Congress IN
1873, it does not detract from those with
whom he acted, for me to say, what / be-
lieve, that different policy pursued by
Southern man. conspicuous as he was,
would not have brought Us our deliverance-
Ny belief that to him the whole South j.
largely indebted for the political rights
which she now enjoys, of itself, commands
my cordial approval Of his course.
Question l2--Nil you consider your cleo
ton an approval Of condemnation OF the
course pursued by our present Senator, L. q
q. Lamar
Answer-The policy of Senator Lamar
was not In any sense, an issue before the
people in the recent election. | should re-
gard my election, by the present Legisla-
ture as a most gratifying evidence Of the
peoples preference for and confidence in me
and none the less gratifying because Of
the difiidence with which | would assume
the responsibilities of so high position. /
should not consider my election as evidence
that the people want their new Senator to
antagonize his colleague in his policy, or
that they want that policy reversed.
My aim has been correspond to your ques-
tions, rather than discuss the topics inyolV-
ed in them, and trust | have done so with
sufficient clearness. / have given my set
tied convictions, and if they are not in har
mony with the sentiments of the people OF
the State, | much prefer to see the choice
Of Senator fall upon some one else to being
elected myself under any misapprehension
or doubt as to my opinions
| have no motive to insist upon the con
ditons you suggest with reference to pub
Iication-that the answers of none Of the
gentlemen called upon should be published
until all are received. On the contrary,
since my name has been brought under dis
cusson in connection with the office, and
with some of the questions above referred
to, | prefer that no one should be in doubt
rs to the views / hold, and therefore that
this letter should be published without re-
gard to the condition mentioned.
Very respectfully,