The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-02-03
The state Canvass Letter from HON
W. b. Gum.
Amman. 60 Co.. Jan. p. Isl.

ABBOTT, CLAY Co, Jan. p, 1881.
EDS. CLARIox-Every man thoroughly
Identified with the best interests OF MIssls-
sippi. and who entertains an unwavering
devotion to our Democratic form of govern
ment. cannot fail to endorse your views,
recently expressed, in reference to the pro-
priety, yea, absolute necessity, of calling
State Convention to nominate candidates
for the approaching election. Under no
circumstances can we afford to depart from
our time.honored custom. unarmity OF
sentiment and concert of action, 50 indis-
pensable to our success, can be attained IN
no other way. With the thronging memo
ries of our unhappy past yet fresh IN our
minds. and confronted by the menacing
attitude of the resurrected Radical party,
surely no sane man, who has the welfare OF
Mississippi at heart, can have the temerlty
to favor disorgRuizing our forces by hazard
ing "scrub race" for the most important
offices in our State government. The great
mass of the intelligent voters of Mississip-
pi cannot and will not be led into SO fatal
an error They fully realize the situation,
and enjoying proud satisfaction under the
wise. peaceful, and economical, dispense
ton OF Democratic control, we believe will
hereafter prove by their ballots that they
invoke a continuation of the same bless
ings.
In this connection l cannot refrain from
offering my humble praise to The CLARION
for wise counsels in every time of need.
Now, as in the dark days of the past, it has
infused life and hope into our body polite,
and lighted up the way to victory.
Right here, l would ask permission, with
all due Difference to our present honest,
fearless, clear-headed Executive, and to all
others who may aspire to occupy the Cub
ernatorial chair, to suggest the name of
Ethelbert Barksdale for Governor, as "A just
recognition of his distinguished services
| rendered in emancipating our State from
the thraldom of carpet-bag government and
negro domination, and for invaluable assist
ance in every subsequent campaign.
| In several of the leading papers of the
country, notice that Thomas III. Collins,
of West Point, is mentioned as a suitable
man to succeed the present distinguished
incumbent for the position of Lieutenant
! Governor. Without comforting with him
/ in reference to the matter, | take the lib
erty of adding my unqualified endorse
ment to the suggestion, believing him to
be eminently qualified and deserving. His
! fine, commanding presence well-balanced
! mind, decision of character, and admin
| strative capacity peculiarly fit him to
adorn and dignity the Presidential chair Of
the Senate His record in war and politics
is good, having served with distinction in
! both fields, as will be seen from the follow
| ing allusion to him, which originally APP
| peared in the Mobile News, and was subse-
quently endorsed in the Columbus Index:
Eve were glad to receive a call from this
| old army friend who served CALAMITY in
/ Blythe's regiment, and afterwards as Inspec-
| tor General of Armstead's cavalry command.
! We see by the Mississippi press that the pre-
sent incumbent will not be a candidate for
reelection to the office of Lieutenant Gov
ernor of Mississippi, and without intending
! to put our finger in other peoples pie, we
would suggest our friend Major Collins as
one eminently suitable for the position and
his elevation would only be a proper recog-
milton Of the past service he has rendered
the Democratic party, and particularly can
we refer to his canvass of New York State
in the Tilden campaign of 1876"
! In conclusion, | will venture the predic-
ton, with a due regard to the qualifca-
tions and merits of all others who may
aspire to these important position of trust,
honor and profit, should Barksdale and
Collins compose the ticket, nominated for
Governor and Lieutenant Governor when
our State Convention assemblies, it will re-
ceive the support Of every true Democrat
in Mississippi which will insure its trium-
plant election.
Yours truly, w. B. GUM.
(The foregoing is printed in Difference
to the honorable gentleman who has con-
tributed it, and to afford him the OPP
portunity Of paying the handsome trib-
ute to Maj. Collins, our able and gal
liant co-laborer of West Point. AS to
the nomination for Governor, it has not
occupied the thoughts of the person
mentioned in terms undeservedly kind
by our correspondent, and We are sure
that in the list of distinguished names
(among them, Hons. }. NJ Stone, Robt.
Lowry, w. S. Featherston, f. G. Wall
thall, Beverly Matthews, Ben. King,
and w. A. Percy that have been
suggested for that place, another can
be found far more capable and worthy
of the distinction. Our columns are
open to the friends of all corners, with
the understanding, however, that their
communications must be devoted to
building up their own favorites, and
not to the pulling down of the favorites
of other people,