The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1881-12-10
A STATESMAN WANTED.
1t seems from expressions that ha'


1t seems from expressions that have
come to us through the newspapers
and in other ways, that too much is
expected OF the next legislature. It
has been said, substantially, that the
legislature must so act as to create q
strong and Interchangeable opinion in
favor of the continuance in power of
the Conservative party.
The logic of this is that the legislature
can by wise action preserve the integ-
rity Of the Democratic-C Conservative
party, and that ii viii be responsible
for not pursuing a course that will
produce such happy results.
We agree that it is in the power Of
the legislature to create such whole
some laws for the advancement of the
material interest Of the State, as will
satisfy the unselfish and patriotic cit
izen, and believe that such will be
the outcome Of its labors but we do
not believe that the present, Or any
other legislature can do anything that
will satisfy that large body of malcon-
tents who may be aptly included
, within the term Of "oflice-seekers."
Nor do we believe that the present, or
any other Legislature can do any
thing that will induce the mass Of ig-
norant colored voters OF the State, to
rally around the standard of the white
man, in the common interest of both
the white and the black race. 1t has
been, we think, successfully demon
strated that no amount of good laws
will have any effect on the negro as a
race, and that nothing short of a
ransfer to him of the reins of goy-
ernment, will satisfy his present de-
mands. -fH
The idea that wise legislation by the
party in power merits and will receive
the approval of the voter, and that
the authors of ii merit and will receive
the confidence and the support of the
voter, is based on the suppostion that !
the voter is a reasoning and unpreju- |
diced person and that the most impor-
tant object to him Is good govern
ment. With the negro no such suppo-
sition can he indulged. He does not
reason, and is 50 full of prejudice
that so far from the light of truth
ever reaching his brain, he will sell
dom permit its voice to reach his ears.
He is creature Of sentiment, and
sentiment more than legislation will
always control his conduct. This is
the negro voter of to-day, with rare
exceptions. The trouble with Missis-
sippi and other Southern States, Is
that the almost universal sentiment
of the negro in politics, is opposition
TO the political party which embraces
the white people. We admit that this
sentiment is, TO some extent, overcome
during the campaigns through which
We have had to pass every year, so
that when election day comes many
of them are found voting with US.
But, will any one who has. watched
the progress of canvass in Mississippi
say that good laws or bad laws have
had any effect on the negro vote ? We
think not. y.-i-......... .r. l.
If the ratio OF negro voters deter
mined In wrestling the control of the
State from the Democratic party, were i
not greater than that Of the white
voters intent on the same object, or II
the negro voters could be reached by
the voice Of reason as readily as their
white fellow-citizens, political troubles
In Mississippi would be ut an end.
The condition Of the voting power Of
the State is such, however, that
mere handful Of disappointed white
men, may at any day, on short notice
political party, without ref.
srence to political principles Of any
kind, and by inscribing on their
banner: "Opposition to Democracy"
command the sympathy Of the bulk
n the negro vote, When 1t is known
hat the "Democracyn referred to Is !
he white people. of the State, the
yravity Of the situation becomes ap-
,arent. ..,.....-.'. - ,'...t'i..',.,I -
Our fellow-citizens Of the North and 2
EAST and West, of the Republican a
aith, have had no such condition Of d
fairs as this, and while they have T
een free to criticize our manner Of !,
ealing with the danger which like a d
orrid nightmare constantly surrounds 81
s, they have failed to suggest any q
curse of action short Of an unquali- - y
ed surrender OF the Southern States, Of
|, the domination Of the negro. What el
Mississippi needs most Is not iegisla- . I,
on. We have laws enough and good ~ ~
mes. We need a statesman great :
nough to look over the heads Of ordi-
ary men and point the course which It
'isdom, justice and patriotism, will Il
lduce US to follow. Among all our b,
reat men, is there such a states IA
ian. ...r T.. n. ii
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