The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-06-07
Mississippi Opinion.

Inc New 4 OK Hines HAS ldhtH tu6
trouble to elicit letters from several
journalists of the State on political and
economic questions.
Mr.. r. A. Bonner, of the Pamela
Star, writes
Mr.. Arthur's accession to the Presidency
was viewed by our people with alarm and
distrust, and these fears were confirmed
when the new President began removing
nearly all of President Garfeld's eppoin-
tees to bestow their places on StalwaTt
Republicans, frequently of the most obnox-
ious type; but Mr. Arthur's Message re-
commanding a liberal appropriation for the
construction of the Mississippi ieyees has
wrought marked change, and his Admin
istration is now regarded as favorabiy as
would be that of any other Republican
President.
"Is there in your neighborhood any deci-
ded expression of opinion in regard TO the
tariff? If so, what is its effect and nature 2"
On that question our people hold and
freely express very positive opinion ; they
consider the present tariff burdensome and
oppressive, and tending to foster monopo-
lies at the expense of the masses. TIE
''tariff for revenue only" plank in the
National Democratic platform OF 1880 ex-
presses the almost unanimous sentiment of
this community on the tariff issue.
Mr.. Charles Cunning, Of the Brook
haven Free Press, says:
You ask, elbow do your people regard the
Administration of President Arthur ?"
Most kindly. Our people have been sgree-
ably surprised. The short official career Of
| President Garfield gave US reason to expect
| fair dealing at his hands, and the whole
| South mourned his death. We expected to
/ see the bitter partisan in Arthur. On
/ the contrary, he is the first President since
/ the war who really knows no South or
North in his official utterances. He allows
/ 20 sectional feeling to prompt him from
urging the improvement by the Govern
ment of our great national waterway, and he
has gone outside of the politicians to select
| two able and pure men (Gay and Batch
/ ford) for the Supreme bench. While we
| think the South should not be ignored in
these high judicial appointments, as she is,
! vet we are nevertheless gratified that Presi-
! dent Arthur has raised the standard OF
qualification and fitness for these exalted
| positions.
As to the tariff. There is not in our
:'neighborhood any decided expression of
opinion" The great preponderance of feel
! ing here, if the question was agitated, would
| be in favor of free trade, or tarifffor revenue
only. 1t is not question that could be in
jected into our politics with much benefit
to either or any political party for the pres
ent.
And here is what Mr.. r. F. Ford, the
veteran editor of the Ripley Advertiser,
writes:
| In answer to your first question, would
| say that the Democratic party not Ueing in
| position to carry out or even to shape any
/ policy, am unable to say what is or rather
what would be the policy it might see
/ proper to adopt if in a condition to require
| policy at all.-Hence cannot say whether
it would be in harmony with the general
sentiments of our people or not There is
no dissatisfaction with the principles of the
! Democratic party within the party, nor do
know Of any in this district with the party
| leaders.
In answer to your second question, would
say Our people are rather Indifferent about
President Arthur's Administration. Some
| things he has done are approved, while 9TH
ers are disapproved. His Administration
hasn't the moral support in this district
that President Garfield's had.
As regards the tariff, | have heard but
one expression of opinion, and that is in
| favor of reform. Our people are almost en-
tirely an agricultural people, and it is but
natural that they should not train with the
protectionists.
Mr.. j. D. Burke of the Magnolia Ga
zette, writes:
The Administration of President Arthur
has no expressed opposition here, but, on the
contrary is regarded with much favor and
especially do the people speak most APPROX
ingly of his manly and statesmanlike sug-
gestions in regard to the improvement of
the Mississippi River. and the protection of
the productive lands contiguous thereto
While the Democrats here would, as mat
ter Of course, prefer one of their own polit-
cal creed to fill the position of chief magis-
trate, they are, nevertheless, ready and will
ing to award praise and due credit to the
President of the United States-let him be
of whatever creed-when his patriotism ele-
Yates him above the narrow confines of
party, and manifests disposition to promote
the welfare of the country regardless of poll
tics or sectional feelings as Mr.. Arthur has
done. lie has won the hearts of thousands
by his manly course in regard to the Mssis
sippi, and it would be no exaggeration to
assert that his commendable action in that
respect has met with universal approval.
There is no defined policy here in regard
to the tariff. In fact, that complicated
question is regarded by many as uon-politi-
cal, and altogether as one belonging to the
science of economy or good government. til
may be accepted as true, however, that
there is much opposition to system which
affords so much freedom and benefits to the
rich aud menopolists, and Expresses with
enormous taxes the absolute necessities of
the poor Some are in favor of tariff fQr
revenue some are in favor Of tariff for
revenue only; some are in favor of policy
of leYying duties so as to favor American
labor but there is no decided expression
of opinion, so far as the Democratic party
is concerned.
I Il l.