The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-08-01
ADDRESS
Of W. C. Wilkinson President OF tn
COpiah County Convention.
Crvstal Springs Meteor.l

Crystal Springs Meteor.
GENTLEMEN OF THE CONVENTION:
This large, earnest, determined assem-
blage puts upon me the spirit of prophe-
cy, and lhave no hesitation in giving ut
terance to the prediction that the Eopiah
county democracy is organizing for vic
tory once more. Since | last had the
honor OF presiding over a Convention
in this county the Democracy has had its
trials and its triumphs Its trials were
caused by foes within and foes without.
For those who for years have been the
persistent, unrelenting and INSCRIPTIONS
adversaries Of the party we NAV have
some measure OF respect, but for those,
who, seeking but not finding place and
pelf within the party, would seek unholy
alliances, break solemn pledges, and ruin
because they cannot rule, they deserve.
as they have, the scOrn and indignation
of every right minded man.
We are assembled to-day in accordance
with a time-honored custom to make
nominations for such Offices as are to be
filed at the next election. We have
not met to take up or lay down any
new line of political doctrine, for the
principles of Democracy are established
as firm as the eternal hills. as he hon
est, is he capableP' was the watchword
of "the fathers" and by that sign we
SHALL conquer.
Much has been said about conventions
that they take away from the voter
freedom of action, and are liable to be
manipulated by few. In ninety-nine
cases out of hundred the objection is
made only by some disappointed aspir-
ant whose claim or ambition failed to be
gratifed by convention. When the
Democratic voter exercises his right in
the primary, beat or precinct convention.
he is as free as air TO vote for any delegate
he pleases. He entrusts that delegate
with authority, and voluntarily agrees
to be bound by his actions-there Is no
coercion anywhere. A better plan for
ascertaining the true will of the mem
bers Of the party could hardly be de-
vised, and after a half-century Of ex-
perienee all parties of whatever name
organize by convention to support their
views.
We have few wiseacres in this coun-
ty who arrogate to themselves all the
virtue there is-who 90 mouthing about
Democratic conventions and party lash
es, but who are themselves the yeriest
slaves and tools Of cunning politician,
who uses them as he pleases for his own
purposes
As TO manipulation, l can only say
that having attended conventions since
early manhood, and being a close obser-
yer and participation in many, ! assert,
without fear Of contradiction, that no
nomination has ever been made in this
ecounty since the war by any trick, OF
device, or combination-such have never
prevailed. The nominees have always
been men of established character. and
competent and faithful officials have
been the result, and ! go further and
say that the worst nominations by a Dem
ocratic convention in this county have, as
a rule, been better than the best ever put
forward by a Radical or Independent
convention
Whatever Of good government we
have in Mississippi to-day IS TO be attrib-
uted to the controlling influence Of the
Democratic party; whatever Of evil gov
eminent We have had in the past or suf-
fer from to-day is because Of the control
ling influence of the Radical party. The
same proposition is true Of our County
affairs. The controlling influence Of the
Democrats placed in Office competent,
upright and faithful officials Wherever
and whenever that influence did not pre-
vail we find Incompetence, partisanship,
mean and vicious" EAPplause-