The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-07-11
The Independents.
Their POw-wOw on the 4th.

~ AOAA was NAAANAs ANV AA1A VI HAAlA
recorded. None but those of the bel
weathers of the flock figure in the pre-
ceedings. 1t is understood that only fl
teen counties were represented, and the
by self-appointed delegates. In orde
that we may present them to our read
ers as they presented themselves, we vii
copy from the official report as publishe,
in the Tribune:
Gen. Reuben Davis, of Monroe, calle,
shss Convention to ardaH; whan,- upoi
motion, Col. King, Independent candi
date for Governor in 81. was elected
Chairman of the Convention and com
mktee consisting of Col Blair, of Lee
Judge Downs, of Madison, and Mr. Pat
terson of Claiborne was appointed to es
cort him to the chair. On taking the
stand Col King stated the object of the
Convention TO be, to formulate and per
petuate the idea OF the Independent
campaign of 1881, namely, securing hon.
est elections in Mississippi,
Upon motion of Capt. w. A. Mont
gomery, of Kinds, Jno. T. Hull was
elected Secretary, with w. ID. Howe, of
DeSoto, T. n. Clayton, of Panola, and
Mr. 9. w. Johnston, Of Pamela, as Assis-
tant Secretaries.
Mr.. John T. Hull, of Kinds, submit.
ted the following:
Resoired, That the Chair appoint a
committee of nine to draft platform
of principles.
The resolution was adopted, and the
Chair announced the following commit
tee:
Gen. Reuben Davis, of Monroe; Judge
J. b. Deason, of Lincoln; Coz. j A.
Blair, of Lee; Capt. G. NJ. Haynie, of
DeSoto; Capt w. A. Montgomery, of
Kinds; Mr.. Thos. S. Ward, of Madison;
Capt. A. X. Walker, of Lauderdale; Mr..
jeff Jones, of Yal0busha.
Pending the action of the committee,
upon motion, Gen. JAS r. Chalmers was
invited to address the Convention. Gen.
Chalmers took the stand and spoke in
substance as follows:
FELLOW CITIzENs-It was on this
day 107 years ago, that our ancestors
declared themselves Independent. They
threw off the yoke of kings and princes,
and established a government founded
on the consent of the governed. 1t is
right and proper that we, their children,
should meet on this hallowed day TO de-
clare ourselves independent and throw
of the yoke Of party despots, who, by
trand, perjury and polluted baliofk. have
once more made the viii of the people |
to the will of their officers. |
The government of Mississippi is no
longer founded on the consent of the |
governed, but on the consent of the |
Governor and his tools. The odious |
doctrine that kings could do no wrong |
has come back to us without the re-
'triction that his ministers could be held |
for the acts of government
England's queen goes unquestioned,
)ut her prime minister is held account
lble to the people. Mississippi's Gov
,rnor not only stands beyond the reach
If the law, as lately decided, but his
prime minister, the Secretary of State,
,oes unrestrained lest an assailment of
lin should be considered an assault upon
he chief executive of the State. The
'eople may elect one man to Office, and
corrupt Secretary of State may declare
mother to be elected. The Governor
nay issue certificate of election on
his false declaration, and though it be
oyered all over with fraud, perjury and
Orgery, it at once becomes so sacred
hat our Supreme Court declares it as
a vain thing" to assail it, even with
he thunderbolts of justice. If this be
he law, it is time that another law be
nacted
A judge in Pennsylvania where Judges
re elected by the people, once said: ain
he eye of the law, fraud spOils every
hing it touches; the broad seal of the
is crumbled to dust as
gainst the interest designed to be de-
rauded. Every transaction in life in
-hich it mingles is corrupted by its con-
lgion. Why, then should it find shelter
4 the DEGREES of course, the last place on !
arth where it should find refuge? But
is not protected by record, Judgment (
r decree. Whenever and wherever it is {
elected, its disguises fall around it, and
he lurking spirit of mischief, as if I
,uched by the spear Of Ithhriel, stands {
xposed to the rebuke and condemnation
the law"
Our ancestors rebelled againsta govern !
tent which they once honored and
wed. We who are the Independents of ,
Iississippi and who were once Demo
-ats, have rebelled against party ,
hich we once hOnored and loved. But I
Mississippi there were two wings TO
lat party; one that honored principle ,
I'd another that looked only to policy
I'd success. One that believed in hold ,
Y their confederate in honor and de- !
nding il when necessary, but while
aking no apology for the past looked 4
the future for their political priEci- I
les. Another that would infeigned
pentance shed public tears over Sum >
sr's grave and then secretly claim that
was a good thing to utilize the bones a
a dead Yankee" if thereby the voice :
their great orator could reach the q
Il Of the north. One that opposed
ltional banks aud taught that the .
,veTnment should issue all money
neither gold or silver. Another which :,
n along under this platform until !
,licy seemed 70 demand a change, and
Ien changedjn the twinkling Of an eve. \
ne that believed in the recoin- :
e Of silver at its old standard value. /,
mother that believed in the same silver :
liar, when Mr.. Lamar a. : member Of =