The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-25
Political Environment.

In answer to our declaration that the
Hon. Samuel J. Randall Is bound by the
doctrine of environment to be a pro-
tectionis. for the sake of protection, the
Vicksburg Post, which, except the Phil
adelphia Times, lind. seems to be the
only journal specially welded to the
distinguished Pennsylvania, suggests
that the doctrine" is a broad and
healthy one. To this we most heartily
agree.
In discussing Mr. Randall's conduct
in reference to the Morrison bill, We
have striyen hard TO make plain our posi-
ton that he ought not to be censured for
representing the views and the wishes
Of his constituents on the tariff ques-
ton. He was, as we think, compelled
by his surroundings to do exactly what
be did. Furthermore, we do not join
with those who dcnoupee Mr.. Randall
as a deserter from the Democratic ranks
because his vote on the Morrison bill
was in opposition to the votes Of the
great bulk Of his party associates in the
National Legislature, for the good and
sufficient reason that Mr. Randalls vote
stood for the policy of the voters whom
be represented.
But when was it ever heard, except in
the prosecution of "a forlorn hope" that
on the eve Of a great political contest,
the man of all others to be selected as
leader, is the man, who, of all others, is
least in sympathy with his followers?
That Mr. Raudall's high tariff and pro-
tectiye tariff views strengthen bis claims
on the Democratic party is past believ-
ing, and we are amazed that there can
be found any one holding such an
opinion.
Says The Post:
But speaking Of political environ
ments," when they caused its fayorite of
all the great Mississippians 10 remain as
dumb as an oyster in regard 10 the murder
of Matthews, and the Copiah resolutions
in order that he might not stay at home, !"
TIE CLARION did not consider it a politi-
cal doctrine to be sneered at.
Denying that the foregoing is an apt
allusion to the Hon. Z. Barksdale, and
deploring the fact that a Mississippi
newspaper will. insist on looking at
Copiah county from the standpoint of
Radical Republican Senator, we have
but to say that the allusion signally fails
to turn point against us. In fact, it
forcibly illustrates our position, as We
will show. If Mr.. Barksdale's course
before Mr.. Hoar's committee was
prompted by no higher sentiment than a
desire to return to Congress, and if it
was the turning point in his candidacy,
its wisdom has been indicated.
But The Post thinks that Mr.. Barks-
dale's course in this matter is open to
criticism, and is firmly fixed in the
opinion, doubtless, that its filings at Mr.
Barksdale are endorsed by the Sam Ran
dallites of Pennsylvania. Now does
The Post think, from its standpoint, that
Mr. Barksdale's course should commend
him to its protective tariff friends in the
North? Certainly not. The logic of
The Posts position is that when Mr..
Barksdale was before the Copiah Gem
mittee he failed to grasp the opportunity
of placing himself in line with that broad,
national sentiment which The Post is
engaged 80 assiduously in cultivating.
If this be so, what Mr.. Barksdale did and
said before the committee would not
him to The Posts Northern
admirers, though his unanimous nomi-
nation, now, a foregone conclusion, will
that his record has been
by his constituents. Mr.. Ran
dall's position is not different, in that
he voted on the Morrison bill sc as to
merit and received the endorsement of
his constituents. As from The Posts
standpoint, broad and national as it
claims to be. Mr.. Barksdale's course
before the Hoar Committee should not
be endorsed, so from our standpoint Mr..
Randal's course in the present Congress
should not be endorsed but under the
benign influences of the doctrine of Cen
vi ronment" the course of both gentle
men has been endorsed by their respec-
:; 90, -c,,.+;t,,o,,,;.-