The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1881-07-29
A matter of Pact and History.

ftAS0eAe S"hhhotet1As
The editor of the Columbus
iRder uses language searely eour-
teOus and by no means complimen-
tary TO the chief editor of this
paper, but we expected as much,
and perhaps more, from all the
hero worshippers who have reared
for themselves an idol, and, like
blinded worshipers, are intoller-
ant of any attempt to point out
defects in their diety. Ii seems to
be the fashion of those now assail.
ing Gen. Chalmers for having re.
sented what be regarded as an in.
dignity ffom Col. Lamar, not only
to himself personally, but to all
who are supporting him against
his negro oppouent, TO speak of
him as small man and Senator
Lamar as a giant.
This may or may not be true,
and ii would not be proper in us,
as co-editor of this paper, to dis
pute it. But we think we may
safely say without impropriety
that we have read some little of
the history of our times, and in
that portion OF our history, the re.
cord of which has been finally
closed, that record does not sus.
tain our brother of the Mder aud
others.
Far be il from the wish of the
writer that one laurel should be
plucked from the brow of the dis.
tinguished Senator, but as the
comparison of the men has been
made, a sense of fairness prompts
all just men to say, ''let justice be
done, though the heavens fall.p
When the battle for Southern
independence began, Col. Lamar
had then almost a national reputa-
ton. He was man of high infu.
ence, a congressman and leader OF
men. He went into that war with
all the earnest courage of his fer
vent nature as a lieutenant colonel,
but never rose any higher. Gen.
Chalmers entered that war as a
captain, young and almost IN.
known, aud, soon passing beyond
Col. Lamar, came out in command
OF three brigades.
We have read several of the his.
tories of that war as far as writ
ten, aud we have never yet found
the name of Col. Lamar mentioned
in any, while Jefferson Davis, Gen.
Joseph Il. Johnston and others in
their books make honorable men.
tion OF Gen. Chalmers, and We are
satisfied he will be remembered in
the history of that war long after
those who seek to belittle him and
their hero shall have been forgot
ten.
Tho career OF these two men as
politicians has not yet been closed,
but the record, so far as II stands,
is by no means an unsatisfactory
one. Gen. Chalmers took dis.
trict largely republican, and by
strict adherance to the principles
of the democratic party won it aud
has firmly held it ever since. Sen.
ator Lamar went to the Forty-thlrd
congress from o district strongly
democratic, and with the hearts OF
his constituents centered OH him
as the leader of the State rights
ideas of Mississippi, who would
never sweryc from principle for
the sake of policy. His eulogy
upon Charles Sumner came like
ice in winter upon the hearts OF
his most devoted admirers, and
some we're forever alienated from
him, while others determined to
bear with him, although they were
disappointed. He was neyerthe
less elected to the United States
senate and, as we may say, took
charge of a united democratic
State. One by one he has made
speeches and cast votes which has
not only shook the faith OF the
people in him, but brought divls-
ion and discord, aud this division
and discord has appeared strong
est in the Immediate vicinity OF
our Senator's residence. HIS
speech on the currency question
drove thousands of good democrats
into the greenback camp, and his
refusal to obey the instructions OF
the legislature composed of men
of the same party as those that
elected him, still further broke up
the harmony OF our party. bis
speech IN favor of keeping Kellogg
in his seat in congress TO disgrace
and misrepresent Louisiana came
next to dissatisfy and distract our
people, and finally his vote to pen
sion Grant aud his speeches IN
favor OF pensioning retiring presl-
dents and bis support Of Stanley
Matthews for supreme judge came
to disturb still further the bar
mony of the democratic party.
These acts, speeches and votes
may all be evidences OF transcend
aut genius, but II 80 they are be-
you'd the ken of ordinary lnortals,
and have led some to say they
would prefer to be represented by
mortal men who would represent
their wishes, as expressed through
the ordinary channels, to belng
represented By % giant who was
above aud beyond their control.
80
n \.