The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-06-02

The Supreme Court, in affirming the
,ase of Dock Bishop V. State, on appeal
rom Calhoun county, appointed Satur-
day, July s, 1886, as the day Tor his ex-
ecution.
Supreme Court adjourned sins de on
FoR THE CLARION.
Local Self Government.
In connection with the Constitution of /
the United States, previous to the recon-
struction amendments, slavery and sover-
eighty are two words difficult to define,
because neither was used in that instru- |
ment. In one of the recent amendments |
the word slavery is used, undoubtedly in |
reference to the status of the negro. This |
status is permanently changed, how far for |
the better, remains 10 be seen and viii be |
settled by the logic of events
The American meaning of sovereignty
remains underlined. The tendency of the
times is toward local self-government.
An American is loyal, when he respects
himself by practicing industry, economy
and temperance and obeys laws which he
has assisted in making. He cannot be
tried for criminal offense without Jury
OF his neighbors. In such cases, the jury
is recognized as having the power to decide
the law as well as the fac.s. Juries in
cases of seduction and the like, consider
that the individual is sovereign and has a
right to punish offences for which the law
provides no adequate remedy.
Mr.. Douglass contended that American
citizens in the Territories had the right to
| form government for themselves so long
as they did not infringe upon the Constitu-
| ton and laws of the United States This
was caricatured as squatter sovereignty.
In this country we acknowledge that
every man has a right to enjoy his own, in
| his own way, so long as he does not in
| fringe upon the comforts and rights of his
neighbor. lie is sovereign in his own
dominion His house is his castle and he
cannot be rightfully disposessed without
due process of law.
| In England, the nominal sovereign is
! Queen Victoria but the supreme power is
in Parliament In Russia The Gar is SOW
ereign. The Shah of Persia is sovereign.
The Queen OF Great Britain and Ireland
and Empress of India is like the figure
head Of a vessel, more expensive and orna-
| mental than useful, while the prime min
lister is like the rudder that directs the
vessel and enables the sails to catch the
| favoring breeze. The House OF Common
will probably retain and augment It's power
| because ii has the wealth and intelligence
of the nation for its support.
OF necessity the Individual assents that
the community shall act for the greatest
good of the greatest number. In LAYING
off the public lands, Mr.. Jefferson consid-
cred the township of six miles square as
| the largest territory that could enjoy the
pure Democracy of a town meeting. In a
larger extent of territory authority must be
| delegated to officers and representatives to
act for the common good. When such Of
hcers and representatives are sufficiently
numerous 10 constitute, what we call a
State, they exercise some of the attributes
OF sovereignty.
Coming money, the postofiee and duties
on imports, generally considered as per-
tanning to sovereignty, are entrusted ex.
clusively to the general government. Pow
/ ers not delegated are reserved TO the States
or to the people Of each State within its
own territory. These powers in each State
are divided among counties, towns and
other corporations so that local interests
may be, as far as practicable, managed by
those more directly affected So long as
each individual is loyal to himself. each
neighborhood enjoys its roads, schools and
churches, and is fairly represented in its
State legislature, and each Congressional
district has its Just representation in Con-
gress, no good can result from Withdraw
ing their delegates and trying to establish
a new government by force of arms.
| In 1850 the South had the popular vote.
the Supreme Court and the Senate Of the
United States in sympathy with many Of
/ their theories.
In the days OF Noah Webster. the milk
maid allowed her. Imagination to run
away with her discretion, and we have the
homely adage, NO use to cry over spilled
milk"
No doubt, war ia a great calamity. but
prudent people will learn useful lessons bv
their calamities The battle of Bunker
| Hill was defeat. 1t, however. gave con-
hdence to the struggling colonies. and its
memory is cherished by all true Ameri.
cans. Washington City was abandoped to
the British in the war Of 1SI2-15. Some
now claim it 10 be the most beautiful CITY
in the world.
Probably the people Of France have been
more benefited than the people OF Germa-
ny by the last war. The Emperor Of Ger
many has more guns, better fortresses and
war material, but what have the people
gained
Before the war Of 1928 Crest Britain
exercised a sort Of sovereignty OF the
ocean. The results of that war we're never
written out In treaties or acts Of parliament.
Since then American proves aud Ameri-
can rights have been respected N a man.
| ner not specified in any official document.
One of the lessons learned by our wars
is that the navigation Of the Mississippi
river cannot be impeded With impunity. II
/ is probable that in any future complies
tons the valley of the Mississ ippi will be
one and not divisible BY any line Of Iati-
fude
While the armies OF the Confederscv
were dissolved without any written ac-
acknowledgement Of the right Of seIf-govern-
ment, which the Southern States claimed.
fanatics, monopolists and demagogues have
learned that there is a limit to human en-
curance; that one section Of the country
cannot systematically and continuously in
suit another section without expecting an
organized resistance. A resistance demand
ing respect and the ussges Of public war
| fare
| Americans do not get up mobs Of an
archists, 6t subjects FOR the penifentiarv
and the gzlloHs. Socialists, anarchists
and nihilists are imported. The industri-
Gus native horn American citizen. when
he casts his vote, considers himself part
ner In the concern He will attend the .pri-
mary meetings and help 70 nominate sober,
honest men for Office If he Is vnt-voted he
will bide his time and expect to obtain IL
the end what Is best for the public welfare.
When endurance ceases to Be a virtue his
views may not Be confined to State lines.
He believes that what constitutes 6 State
Is men who knOE fheIr rights, and know
ing dare maintain them- With such he
viii affiliate. He may fail in getting the
precise redress Al which he aimed, bu
the efforts Of himself and compatriots win
ultimately rebound 10 the cause OF local
self-governmenf- Old MIG.
THE Baptist Record: As to Sam Jones
let him abound as a moral lecturer Of the
burlesque order In that line he L With
out peer. As preacher Of the Word Be
scarcely ranks At all He SAYS many
foolish things and many wicked thiuvs
about the doctrines Of reTeIztioa. But IL
seems TO do good and We can tolerate the
/ evil for the good. What we fear Is : VAT
crop Of Imitators- We know Of but few
things that would more severely aifiict
Zion than for preachers 10 take NJ the
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