The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-06-13
Fusion, orNotf

The question submitted by the Demo
cratic County Executive Committee
whether an arrangement, having for
its object in the pending election,
fusion with the colOred voters, ir-
respective of the political orgaHiza-
tiOn 10 which they may belong or their
creed should be considered with calmness
and deliberation. Viewed in any light
1t presents consequences Of the gravest
kind. As a proposition to Democrats
to discard, or at least hold in allegiance
their political faith in 50 far as the sup
port of ayowed Republicans goes, it
unquestionably involves, a considerable
sacrifice. Whether it can be counter
balanced by mpensating results, is for
the People, who have no motive to attain
but the public good, to decide. To be-
gin, it should be asccrtained whether
fusion will fuse, or not Will colored
voters in sufficient number to accomplish
the objects designed enlist in the move
mcnt? 1t was tried two years ago with
out the success that was anticipated.
The Democrats acting in good faith,
stood by the fusion and elected the
whole ticket. 1t is not claimed by the
advocates Of present fusion that it was
supported by the colored people to much
extent, but in answer to this, it is said
that the arrangements were defective;
that the programme was gotten up hasti-
ly, and the coIored people, beyond the
few who We're individually interested,
took nopart in nominating the men who
were intended to represent their race on
the ticket, and that therefore they looked
upon it with suspicion and rejected it at
the polls. They had no ground for dis
trust, because the Democrats were act |
ing in good faith, as their conduct has
shown, and as they have always done in
their dealings with the colored people,
not only in the minor matter of dividing
the offices, but in the grave matter of
legislation, as the statute books since
they have controlled the State govern
ment abundantly attests. 1t would seem
that they who could distrust such in
dubitable evidences of good faith as
have been shown by the Mississippi
Democracy to the colored people, during
all these years of their administration
would not believe though one were to
rise from the dead. Nevertheless a feel
ing of distrust and aversion was dis
played in the refusal Of the colored peo-
pie to go into the movement.
If fusion is to be again tried, exper
fence will have pointed out the way to
avoid the difficulties of the past. 1t
will be no hastily gotten up affair this
time. Ample opportunity will be af-
forded the colored people to decide the
course they prefer to pursue. They will
indicate opposition by so declaring in
such manner as they may choose, or by |
standing aloof. They will manifest
their willingness to go into the move
ment by holding public meetings of
their own race and expressing them
selves freely and fully. If the colored
people in sufficiently authoritative num-
bers shall have declared for fusion be.
fore the assembling of the Democracy,
it will then be for the Convention to de-
eide what action shall be taken. If the
coIored voters shall have declared against
it, either in the negative form of nom
notion, or by positive expression, why,
IF course, there can be no room for
divided opinion. The question will be
settled. 1t will then be, "To your tents,
D Israel, Now see to thine own houses
David, "