The Greenville Times

In the above the distinguished Rochejacquelin candidate for United States Senator weaves a net of argument calculated, like the fish-trap, to "ketch 'em gwiue and ketch 'em comin." He asserts in effect that McLaurin is a good fellow and if he isn't, why it's all right. The answer to his question is YES—Democrats ARE to stop voting the Democratic ticket If Democratic officials go wrong, and the party fails to punish and withdraw favor from them.

Between the lines of this quoted paragraph, if we read aright, there is to be seen the revolt of a sensitive, honorable spirit, writhing under the torture of connection, of being necessitated to apologize for, a loose principled, unworthy man. It is this out of place feeling which compels the Hon. E. Barksdale—making the best defense of a poor case—to evade the plain facts as he does, ignoring the white-washy color of McLaurin's "vindication," in assuming that his boodling is a mere charge "of those opposing the Alliance"—that anyone is opposing the Alliance.

There is evidence all over the State, of the pain with which the position and course of this distinguished leader of Mississippi Democracy, is being viewed by his past devoted friends. Thus the Meridian Standard expresses this feeling:

"It is to be doubted if Major Barksdale helped his candidacy by the speech delivered here before the Lauderdale County Alliance. There was in it too little criticism of Republican measures and misrule, and by far too much criticism of the eminent Democrat who represents Mississippi in the United States Senate. It was not pleasant music to honest Democratic ears to hear such a Republican as Senator Plumb quoted against Senator George to put the Democratic Senator in the wrong. Democratic Senators who differ from Senator George were also quoted, but it seemed to be the particular purpose of Maj. Barksdale to discount the judgment and opinion of the senior Senator by quoting against him the high and valuable authority of eminent Republican Senators. Nor did the present Governor of Mississippi escape criticism at the hands of the valiant Major. Gov. Stone had written a letter honestly opposing the proposed Sub-Treasury scheme as impracticable and unwise, and this was sufficient to bring him also under fire.

The Standard writes this more in sorrow than in anger; for it is well known that the editor of this paper has been for many years a hearty supporter of Major Barksdale. But he cannot follow him on so wild a journey, and he cannot bring himself either to applaud or excuse unjust criticisms upon eminent party leaders such as were indulged in by Major Barksdale on Friday last."

The like view of the Brandon Republican is, in view of the long and unvaryingly close relations of its editor and Mr. Barksdale, even more significant:

Barksdale has hundreds of friends outside as well as in the Alliance.—Clarion-Ledger.

And we are one of them. We have always been his friend and supporter but we cannot allow our friendship to interfere with what we believe to be our duty. We are a Democrat, and we believe the Sub-Treasury question will break up the Democratic party and elect a Republican President. We will follow him in the straight paths of Democracy, but we won't take a cow path through the woods.—Brandon Republican.