The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1881-10-13
Negro Suffrage.
The CLARION, February, 1867

The CLARION, February, 1851
1t is golden maxim that che who ruleth
his own spirit is better than he who taketh
a city" 4 writer says, that "beyond Thu
self-conquest, the highest courage cannot
contend; nor does philosophy teach any
thing more sublime" The brave and high
spirited people of the South have had ample
opportunity for the display Of this heroism
during the eventful years of the recent
past.
The recent legislation Of Congress establish
ing negro suffrage in the States, deeol0es upon
them the necessity of a further display Of this
rirtue. Our faith is strong that in this trial
their conduct will bearevidence of the same
practical wisdom that has characterized
their course since the overthrow OF the
Conlederaey.
While the people Of the south are not
responsible for the introduction of this new
element into the machinery of government,
they are nevertheless to be affected byit; and
every consideration of humanity and pat
riotism dictate they should use every pro-
per effort to control it for good.
To cherish towards the innocent negro
spirit of resentment would be ungenerous
and unmauly. Rather sho3ld we feel pity
for him that he had been called to the per-
Torrance Of dgties to which his capacity is
so unequal. However much they who are
conspiriug aganst.our peace and happiness,
NAV have striven to use him as conven-
lent instrument for the accomplishment of
their ends, there is everything in the relation
which formerly subsisted between us as
master and slave, and the reciprocal obliga-
tions it involved, to forbid that the former
should take counsel of so ignobie feeling.
We see not to forget their fidelity as class
throughout the long and trying scenes of
the war. On one hand the Eiost tempting
INDUCEMENTS to the enjoyment Of unre-
stricted freedom tecming with the Joys OF
life, without money and without price, were
held out TO them; on the other, we're the
ties Of friendship which were the growth of
long association in the patriarehial relation
of master and slave. To these ties, as a
class, they faithful To the last. Aud let it
be said to their credit that though the re-
lation itself has been rudely broken up,
this principle rooted in their very nature,
still invincible, asserts its supremacy, and
carries the wanderer back from the scenes
of the Aeeting joys which have turned to
ashes on his lips, to the old Homestead in
seach of those who had made it dear to them
in brighter and happier days. Alas, they
have not found the graneries and store-houses
filed with good cheer that oGce gladdened
their hearts, but they have found that which
aisfotube could not take away-the warm
greeting of kind and sympathetic hearts
Lei rs accept negro suffrage a. az fnsvItq
be fact, MOTTO Be ressated NTH in.potsnt malice,
nor 70 b tssatsd nth stOlid iadi6erence. If
the new suffragan is unqualified for the inn
portant duties committed 10 him, L is the
part of wisdom that they whose interests
are involved with his own, should strive 70
ealiohts. his understanding. We connOt be
gniItess of any evil conseq wiioh ray
Gov from this act Of remorseless and cruel
party II to avert then We fail 70 exhaust
every effort We are capable Qi making