The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1880-12-18
JUDGE r. j. ALCoRN.

Jackson, Is on Il short visit here to spend ,
few days among his old friends In thi,
county. We are pleased TO see him look
ing so well, aud as Is usual with his genial
nature, he Is In the best of humor with The
situation, after having taken u hand IN
securing the election of General Garfield
Friar's Point Gazette.
Judge Alcorn took care Of the in
terest of Garfield in the South Eas-
tern part of the State, having at his
own expense traversed that piny woods
region, making speeches to large au-
diences, and rallying the faithful in
the strongholds of Democracy. The
effect of his canvass may not have
been altogether So scnsibly fet by the
country at large ms was that Of Grants,
but he made it boldly, and fearlessly,
and hearti y, Notwithstanding the Re-
publican aX had only resently severed
his official dead from his body cor
poreal.
The course of the Judge, in view OF
the treatment melted out TO him by
his political friends, is II little surpris-
ing to us. There seems to he lack
ing of the spirit Of resentment which
ncstles in the bosoms of most men
when they are kicked about like II
factotum by their party associates.
Judge Alcorn began the last Prcsi-
dental canvass rs the editor of the
Mississippi Republican. This was
with him IL labor Of love, the paper
not being success rs 4 financial VEN
ture, and he was probably the only
Republican in the State competent to
edit Il newspaper. In this position he
appeared to be at home for little
while. But breakers loomed up and
threatened to disturb the smooth sail
ing of that Republican craft. The
Judge had Il tenderness for Grant.
The manager, Mr.. James Hill, leaned
vigorously towards Sherman. The
difference was temporarily comprom-
ised by an agreement TO make the Re-
publican the special organ of none Of
the Pr, sidential aspirant-, but to
speak well of all of them. This idea
operated on the columns of the Re
publican few weeks, but the pres
sure was upon the manager. He
held highly lucrative office that of
Revenue Collector for the Stately
the favor of Sherman, and sherman
was candidate for President. AS
usual in such cases, brains succumbed
to the money power, and the Judge
got his walking papers, that is, he re-
signed the cditorship, and the Repub-
lican speedily became an outspoken
Sherman organ.
AT this time Judge Alcorn held the
office of Receiver for Government
lands, but the fiat had gone forth that
he must be utterly crushed and des-
troyed, and the next time the light
ming struck him it carried off his Off
cial head. He was deposed and dis
graced without cause, or the pre-
tense of Il cause, except that he pre-
ferred Gen'l Grant for President over
sherman. No one has accused him of
regularity, inaccuracy, inattentive-
ness or incompetency in the admins
ration Of his office; but he declined |
% be plant tool for the Presidential
succession, OF to use his office for the |
Of the appointing power,
md therefore, the necessity arose for
his dccapitation.
Our individual and journalistic opin-
ion is that man who wanted Grant
ought to have been shot,
but not by his own party.
Considering this style of treatment,
it has been something of wonder to
us that the Judge didn't kick at some
body in the rear, OF ut least show to
the world that he had the moral grit
to 90 off and sulk. Instead of this,
however, we find him girding up his
loins for a sharp fight in the cow
counties of Mississippi, section of
the State where Gov. Brown was once
accused of saying, " a negro was as big
a show rs an elephant'--a section
favorable only to the growth of Demo-
crats-the banner section, that never
did raise radical nor import one. 1t
was this stronghold Of the Great I'm
washed into which Judge AIcorn sail
ed, holding aloft Gartield's banner.
And he made speeches--brash speeches
--straight-out Republican speeches.
to thousands, who listened attentively
and respectfully.
They invited him to their houses,
killed chickens for him, brought out
their jugs, and let him sleep on their
beds and set down to their tables!
We cite this southeastern campaign
of Judge Alcorn as a triumphant refu-
tation Of stalwart SANDERS that a Re
publican is not allowed to make
speeches in this State. Here is pro-
nounced Republican going into the
very hot-bed of Democracy, spreading
his heresies not only without hind
rance or modest ltion, but actually
feasted by the Democrats he de-
nounces. A more laudable spirit of
liberation could be found nowhere on
earth, and Judge AIcorn himself is
bound to testify to the. fact, if he is
ever put on the stand.
There is another point which makes
the persistent clinging Of Judge
AcOrn to the old Radical hulk in this
State somewhat singular and inexpli-
cable. 1t is quite evident that men of
his stripe. have lost their grip OH the
control of the party. He prates too
much about preserving the integrity,
efficiency, intelligence
and competency Of government. That
party has long since discarded all such
qualities, and Il man who
looks t. the character and the intellec-
tual and moral fitness of "A man for