The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-09-15

political Impressions aud predictions IN
that school of Southern politics, which
taught that the right of Sc government
was not only a cardinal principle of our
political faith, but even of Divine orr
pin; that the Federal Government was
created by independent sovereignties,
each of which, by the compact of union,
had reserved the right to regulate and
control its own domestic Institutions;
that interference by the general govern
ment would be palpable violation of
the instrument of its creation, and 4
gross infringement of our constitutional
liberties Animated by these teachings
generating that unselfish devotion of
Youthful manhood to the cause of his
country-it is not claimed to be wonder
full. but a part of his history to which
his countrymen are now entitled, that
in April, 1862, when not quite seventeen
years of age, he cheerfully made the
sacrifice, to become a volunteer in the
Confederate army, then organized to re-
sist what the people of his native State
and the whole South regarded as the
grOssest encroachments upon the rights
OF a sovereign State. He entered the
army private, in Company ], 39th
Mississippi Regiment, commanded by
Col. w. b. Shelby, late of Rankin coun-
ty; and was 10 every engagement and
skirmish of his regiment for period of
two years and three months. He was
then transferred TO a corps of scouts,
composed of select men from the
armies of Virginia and Tennessee, or
ganized under an act of the Confederate
Congress to facilitate communication
with the trans-Mississippi Department
Here he was promoted to the Office of
second lieutenant, in which capacity MS
comrades in battle, yet living, who,
dauntless like himself, went, when call
ed. "where'er foeman showed a front or
swerying fidelity with which he served
his country until the close of the war.
His fathers home was then on the
line of march between Vicksburg and
jackson, and had been subject to depre-
dations from both the surrounding
armies. As to be expected, he found
the old homestead in ashes, the personal
property gone, the family farm without
fence and grown up in weeds and
bushes This, with his own hands, he
aided in restoring to state of cultiva-
ton; and after making two crops, he
was enabled to save enough from the
surplus productions of his own industry
to enter the University of Oxford.
In the short period of two years he
passed through the Freshman and Sophie.
more classes, thoroughly preparing him
self for the Junior class, although he
had lost five years of his most valuable
time in the army and at work upon the
old family farm. He also took a law
course in the Law Department, at Ok
ford, then under the supervision of the
renowned and gifted l.. @. G. Lamar.
In February, 1868, he settled in our
own beloved kosciusko and commenced
the practice of law. Suffice it to say,
that in the practice of his profession, he
has been a complete success. While he
has not amassed large fortune, by his
close attention and assiduity to bust
ness, he has accumulated small com
potency, placing himself and family in
easy reach, at leas5, of the ordinary
comforts of life. He has also taken
equal rank Nth the ablest lawyers of
the State by demonstrating his ability
to do so, whenever called to meet them
in the fierce conflicts of forensic dispu-
tatiOn. In 1870, a short time after he
began the practice of law, If | may be
pardoned the depression, in obedience to
his good taste and better judgment, he
led to the altar of matrimony one of
Mississippi's fairest and best, whose
charming qualities and superior accom-
plishments to those who know her well,
could not but give a fresh impetus to
his onward progress and success from
that eyentful and happy period of his
life.
Having also passed il common with
his Southern countrymen through the
fiery ordeals of a military despotism,
reconstruction and terror, scarcely less
fearful than the bloody revolution which
they succeeded, he has always been
ready to do any act not inconsistent
with his honor, and has truly performed
we'll his full part, fer the supremacy of
over ignorance, and to avert
from his people. il possible, during those
trying times, any threatening approach
of absolute suffering and destitution-
1t has been but short time since he
served with honor and distinction in
the legislature of the State, in obedience
to the wishes of his grateful and confid- |
ing constituency of Attala county. Not
too, of the current national |
politics of the times, through which he |
has passed, he accepts, in the utmost |
and good faith, the real changes |
and notifications wrought by the logic |
Of events in the Federal Government, |
and which in the last twenty-five (251 /
years have been engr fled into the con-
stitution of the country. Having there /
fore an experience which gives him |
almost a thorough insight into all the |
of human affairs, possessed
Of that broad conservatism which en-
ables him to accord TO the conscientious
opposing views of others, the highest
respect and considerations, he uniform
y, but rightfully reserves the right to
,hink for himself, and to act upon his
,wn deliberate and matured judgement.
Mr.. Chairman and gentlemen, it is
he universal judgment, based upon the
experience of mankind that no constitu-
ion, no law nor part thereof can be en-
orced without sufficient moral senti-
nent to support it.
For exercising the right of secession,
nearly twenty-five years ago, which
most of US of the South then believed
nd shall believe, was then expressly
written in the constitution, we have all
suffered. Sch right, how
yer, has been abrogated because not in
ccord with the general sentiment of the
,eople as nation; and is now conceded
0 be no longer part of the fundamental
aw of the land. As result, Or Incl
ent of the war, the institution of slav-
~, then recognized by the Constitution
nd laws, has also been abolished simply
ecause il was "repellant to the moral
ense of mankind"
But notwithstanding these changes, so
generally accepted, and now satisfactory
) the people of every section-lest, Sir,
be rising generation, in fancied, but /,
admiration of the immense !
roportions and vast patronage of tae
eneral Government, should become un-
lindful of its rapid approach to despotic )
ower-its growing tendency to usurpa- :
on and Capitalization, we need men In I
ongress to-day, who when occasion re-
uires will fearlessly advocate and assert ?
lose sacred principles Of self-goyern- :
lent transmitted to US by the trainers
nd fathers Of the Constitution, and Z
hich in the language of our orn =
sloyed Jeffe1 son Days, twill one day Q
sert themselves to the common sense q
mankind We present then for the
animation By this convention 3 man
i only acquainted with the past his
~ Of the Government, but keenlv :
Ive to the political issues of the pres / q
tone who, without going into de-
!, y sound upon the revision Of the =
IlK laws sound upon civii-scrv1co e.
lo1m sound upca ~ Monetary Syrs 4