The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1915-04-09
A LITTLE HISTORY AND PRESENT POLITICAL CONDITIONS
IN MISSISSIPPI

There is a contingent in Mississippi politics who insist that be-
cause of certain things Gov Brewer is alleged to have done that a
certain ma should be named as his successor a S a visitation of the
wrath of the people upon the head of the Governor. There is hard
ly anything too base for this contingent to attribute to the Govern
ofs motives and for the last eighteen months he has been ridiculous
~ cartooned and the object OF the most vicious assaults by the po-
ltical mouthpiece of the aforesaid contingent, a mouthpiece which
gets access TO the mails under the false pretense of being a news
paper when in fact it is nothing but a dope sheet to boost the po-
itical fortunes of one man while at the same time maligning Gov.
Brewer. This same contingent attacks the Governor week after
week and yet they insist that he should sit with closed lips and
never challenge a single thing said or done by his enemies.
The people demand of Gov. Brewer that he should speak. The
Governor owes it to the state to either plead guilty to what has
been said derogatory to his administration or give the proof in refu-
tation. He owes it to his own self respect, he owes it to his family
and to the good old mother whose name he bears and whose heart
beats in unison with every thing that is pure, noble and good. The
Governors closest friends know the truth. They have never doubt
ed him. but there has been SO much msinformation scattered broad
cast there has been 5 o much done to hide the truth, to conceal the
treachery and unfaithfulness Of those whom the Governor has
brought to taw about their malefactions. that many do not know who
Is right hence 1t IS the Governors duty to appear before the people
and give them the facts so that they may be able to sit the good
from the bad and see political conditions as they really are.
There is never any doubt about what a majority of the people
of Mississippi will do as regards right and wrong. as regards even
handed justice, when they know all the facts. The people as a
whole frequently act. as individuals often do, upon what they be-
iieve to be the state of facts when in truth their conccp-
ton of the facts is wrong. They act Justly upon the issues and ev-
idence submitted and if an erroneous decision is given it is because
the people have not been fully advised.
It's the duty of public mel to go before the body of The peo-
pie and discuss matters pertaining to the public welfare. The peo-
pie look in some measure to those whom they have placed in au-
,hority for light and leadership on public issues. The great body
o. the people are too busy trying to make a living to give the proper
time to the study of public matters.
The Sentinel has been the steadfast friend of Gov. Brewer be-
cause in the first place we believed him to be right, and because we
have known that the desire has been uppermost in his mind to rend-
er the people a lasting service as Governor. We have never vet
undertaken to uphold that which we believed to be wrong. The
Governor has made mistakes-only dead men make none.
q q q
If anything were needed to show that we have always tried to
be fair in politics and with our readers. we cite our position on the
Senatorial race Immediately after Senator McLaurins death.
1t is we'll known to our readers that we have never been a polit-
icai sponsor for Senator Vardaman, yet when McIaurin died, we
took the position that a majority Of the people at that time wanted
Vardaman as McLaurinis successor and, inasmuch as the voters were
without an opportunity to pass upon the question. we held that the
legislature should act in accordance with the wishes of the people
and elect Vardaman. In IN editorial Of date of January T. 1910, lust
before the converting of the socaled secret caucus" legislature, we
used the following language with reference 70 Vardaman:
at is the underlying theory of our government and the golden thread that
permestes the political life of the land, that majorties must rule and that the