The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-10-20
Col. singleton at purant.
DuRANT. Co. Isl


EDITORS CLARION: Col. O. R. Single
ton delivered at Durant a very statesman
like speech. He commenced by abiding to
the pleasant relation existing between a
representative and his constituency when
the former had been faithful, aud the latter
recognized the fidelity of their servant. He
had stood there twelve months ago advoea-
ting the election of Gen. Hancock, but the
people had decided otherwise. The lament
ed Garfield had been elected, peacefully in
angurated, and ere line of policy was fore
Swallowed, had fallen by the hands of an
assassin, who was neither a Democrat nor
Southern man, and now a whole nation,
North, South, East and West, stood as
mourners at the bier OF dead President.
The nation had lost great man his friends
said good man, and he interposed no mega
tive; it was yet to be seen what kind of
successor Mr. Arthur would be. The peo-
pie were again called to the ballot-box to
exercise that high prerogative peculiar to
our free institutions; they must now de-
eide who should be their home rulers; a
Governor, with other State officers, and
county officers we've to be elected. 1t was
a grave and responsible duty; aid the peace
and prosperity of the people of Mississippi
would be greatly affected by the selection
of these officials. The greatest prudence
and caution should be exercised. There
were really but two parties presenting their
claims for consideration, to public conf
dence: the Democratic and Fusion. These
two parties had set forth declaration OF
principles in their respective platforms and
the standard bearer OF each had been select
ed: Gen. Lowry, OF the Democratic party,
brave, gallant, honest and onservatIYe
leader; of the Fusion party, Col. King.
The speaker carefully analysed the Dem
ocratic State platform, convincing the
audience that the principles thereof were
truly in accord with the peace, prosperity
and general interest of the people of Mis-
sissippi. and that Gen. Lowry was most
worthy aud weIl-itted exponent of those
principles as enunciated by the Democratic
platform.
The speaker analysed the Platform of the
Fusion party, which in sum and substance
was F'a free ballot and fair count" show
ing that if Mr.. Kings statement "that the
Democrats stuffed the ballot box" was true,
he, Ir. King, had been a participant for
wears. and even though member of the
| Legislature never introduced any bill to
correct these frauds; that Mr.. King favored
an extra session of the Legislature to re-
| district the State so that the l5,Q00 majority
of colored population of the State could be
prevented from electing u. 5. Senator.
The speaker doubted Col. King IS sincerity
upon "a free ballot and fair count" from
I L I'll,
of the Campbell Code and the use of the
six-shooters at the balIot-box, severely criti-
cising the fitness Of such man to De Gov
/ ernor Of the State, whose first duty was to
enforce law and to preserve order
The speaker showed how the people were
| indebted to the Democratic party for the
| reduction of interest on U. 5. bonds; that
| this reduction made these bonds less desir
| able. and capital started Southwark, aud
now more than 500 100000 were invested
| in Railroads, factories and other public en-
| terprises, east of the Mississippi River and
south OF Richmond, Va.
The speaker held that Railroads and other
corporations should be supervisable by the
| Legislature, not in an unlriendly or unjust
manner, but to prevent injustice toward the
people, proving the constitutionality OF such
| by quoting the highest legal authority, both
| in America and in Europe. Col. Singleton
was clear, argumentative and unanswer-
able.
Judge Tackett, one of the Democratic
candidates for the Legislature of Holmes
county, being present, came forward, and in
most forcible and impressive manner an
nounced himself a candidate for the Legis-
t Iature on the Democratic ticket. The Judge
i possesses not only the first order OF intellect,
4 but is in the broadcast sense a sterling
man; the people in electing him will honor
themselves and safely entrust their interests.
7 SPECTATOR.