The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1888-03-17
GRENADA SATURDAY.,
Our Representative I'm His swn Behalf.
EDITOR SENTINEL: +:

LDlIOb OhNAlNCLs
In your last issue appeared commu.
nication from Rev. T. J. Newell, in
which he refers to the fact OF my refu-
sal to suffer an act to prohibit the sale of
vinous or spirituous liquors within five
miles of the city of Grenada, to become
law. do not write now to defend at
length my action in the premises for l
cannot believe that ! need to justify 1t
10 any fair-minded man. Permit me
however, to say briefly, and without
elaboration, that in that particular mat
ter, as 10 all others affecting the local in
terests or conditions in this county, my
actions were fixed and controlled by the
full realization of the fact that was the
Representative of Grenada County, of all
its people, of all classes, conditions, creeds
and interests, and by the as full determi-
nation to suffer no violation of any of the
duties incident to that office, The
particular question of prohibition is,
for the time being at least, an
adiudicated one in this county.
We have not very long since endured
the pains and throes OF an exciting pro-
hibition election. In that election, the
people of this county determined by a
majority of six hundred against prohibl
tion. That there was great difference Of
opinion and convictions among the peo-
ple on the merits of the controversy, can
not be denled The proposition that the
free, intelligent and honest whites must
and will govern in all home matters, is
not only trite political proverb, but an
active. vital principle and force. 1t
would be potential if union ofconviction
and effort should ever come in prohibi
ton as we'll as in other po'itic'l proceed
ure and not until then. That there was
not this union in the struggle in this
county, cannot be denied. l was eecte
by these people of varying and differing
opinions, without opposition. Citizen
OF every class, condition and shade OF
conviction thus expressed their belief in
my honesty of purpose aud ability, and
willingly, unhesitatingly and confidently
entrusted TO me the solemn and sacred
duty, closely within my province, Of
guardlng their interest, promoting the
welfare and of protecting them in the
full and free exercise OF their iberties OF
thought aud action. should have been
unfaithful to my trust had | allowed my
self to be the means of forcing upon thi
people in forum where | alone, a
Their representative, lad ice, a aw
which they had them selves re used vol
unfairly to assume There would have
been in such course such elements ct
unfairness and injustice that my action
would have become repu'sive tp me, AID
would have deserved universal censure
and condemnation. | shall not take ISSUE
with the assertion that $4,000 Methodist
throughout the State, by their general
Conference demanded prohibition law
for the city Of Grenada. Sufficient
for my purposes to say, that no denomi-
natl n however powerful, however great
in membership throughol, the State,
has right or authority +, direct the
policy Of home affairs far the people of
Grenada county, or t" demand Of the
Legislature the pass e ofany law which
might over>ride the will of the people il
their own local matters lawfully eX>
pressed This is undoubtedly true, if
prohibition be a matter Of civil pollty
But if prohibition be a matter OF church
policy, then let it remain such, and b.
rec lmmended to the outside world. per-
suasively, by the gentle, benoficent aud
moral influence of the church properly
exercised. Permit me to say in concu~
sion. that for the Grenada Collegiate In
stituta I have the most kindly feelings
and hopes, and that trust it may in the
future, as it has in the past, find the at
mosphere of Grenada congenial to its
prop ,rity, and that it may continue to
increase in strength and usefulness until
it shall become, as believe it Is destin d
to be, one of the foremost institutions Of
learning in the land, Its able President
is gentleman for whom | feel much
respect and esteem, and one who is, am
glad to believe, personal friend.
Feeling all this however, my course IT
the particular matter OF his commnnlca
ton was clear to me, and my action still
approves itself to me.
Yours respectfully,
JAS G. LoNGsTREET.