Year: 1865




We print elswhere the proclamation
of Gov Sharkey, transferring to the civil
authorities of Mississippi (by agreement
with Col. Thomas) the right to try all
cases in which the rights Of freedmen are
involved either for injuries done 10 their
persons or property. We are sorry to
see that our erratic friend of
the Jackson News has taken issue
with the Governor on this very impor-
tant question. However, after the elec
ton for public printer is over and the
News has no further ohjest II cen
curing with those rho sre several
months behind the march OF events, We
think the editor in question win fall in
with Us in moulding public opinion aud
indicating the policy that wisdom and
prudence suggest as essential to a sue
cassfui restoration of the Southern States.
We have all been taught that slavery was
best both for blacks and whites, but many
do not realize just now the position in
which we were placed by the result of the
war. 1t is the duty OF the press of the
country to revolutionize public opinion on
these momeptous questions. Entertaining g
these views, the Clarion has been prompted
by love Of country alone. We have ex-
pressed ourselves openly and candldly
and mean what we have said. The pol
icy Gov. Sharkey now urges is the policy
the Clarion has advocated for months
past. We are aware that many OF our
friends have found fault with US for this,
but few months more will convince
them all that we were only preparing the
public mind for coming eVents"-for
measures we cannot avoid, no matter
what our wishes may be.


The people Of The South if they
mean to take their former position in the
Union, must come up to the demands OF
President Johnson. The Clarion has
not gone, and will not 60, beyond this.
As Lone Star contemporary observes,
let it not be sulmised we have recently
entertained any ulterior purposes in re-
gard to the negroes. In this matter, as IN
the matter of loyalty, and the spirit IN
which the amnesty oath is to be taken
We express ourselves openly and candidly.
We are in favor of carrying out the pol
lev of the Gov .rnme1t, for which we have
pledged ourselves on oath, III regard to
the negro. AS to our own opinions in
IL olat Of ho nd
the white man, they have not been
changed at all.


We have always held, and do still, so
far as abstract conviction is concerned,
that our old system, when properly de
yeloped and freed from the evils which
attended it, and which all acknowledged
was the best both for the blacks and the
whites. But our Government has de-
cided 10 destroy it, and has destroyed it.
We have taken an oath to support the
and that oath especially
designates emancipation as one of the
measures to be supported. Therefore, we
are compelled to give up the institution"
and much as we do regret it, we do give
it up. We are in favor of giving the
negro all the advantages of his new re-
lation, so far as his character and the
good of society will warrant. We have
favored this and nothing more. The
Clarion has never conte nded for negro
s4aaEy before the Judiciary or in any
other way whatever.


We have given as our opinion that the
late constitutional amendment grants the
negro the right TO sue in court and to
testify as a wltress-his credihIity to be
judged by the court and jury. We have
proved this to be an essential pal t of the
policy of President John
son and that its adoption will restore US
10 the blessings Of civil government and
I'D the country of military rule. We
hold it TO be essential for the Legislature
lizs with the amended constitution. IfI
hey fail III this, the work OF reconstruc.
ion will stop, and our delegation to Con-
.ress be refused admission. We hold
his to be q white mans government, TO
De administered solely by white men and
hat while the negro should be treated
With humanity and justice, all attempts
to place him on social or political equal
ty with the white man should be sternly
opposed as destructive alike to the best
interests of both races and could onlv
end in ruin and degradation.


Will the News take note and quote ac-
oordingly.


For the Clarion,