The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-07-19
4colamunieated.l
CONSISTENCY, THOU ART JEWEL.

held to test the Union sentiment of the peo-
pie In this tewn there was but one secession
vote given, and that by Mr.. Harris. So great
was the Union feeling that the stars and
stripes hcated gracefully over the polls. A
few weeks passed, snd the State was driven
out of the Union, against the voice of the
people.
Then reason seemed to be desroned; all the /
available means of tie State and counties |
were Immediately transferred to aid the new
project. Levee and improvement taxes were |
seized to support secession; hanging shooting I
and driving Union men from the country was
one Of the means they used to prove that
their case was just. Nearly all the slavehold- |
ers became secessionists, although few weeks |
before they voted for the Union.
Three months had scarcely elapsed before |
they had began organizing companies for,
twas said, home protection-oficered, of
course, from the JEFF. DIS family. These
companies were to act against guerrilla par
ties but no sooner were they organized than
the county would turn them over to the State,
for State protection, and the State transfer
them to the Contederacy, and by this means
men who never thought of going into the
rebel ranks were transferred. There was no
alternative but to go through with the COM
pany or be hung or banished, as 8 traitor.
The original object of the company was en-
tirely lost sight of, and the man who volun-
teered, a freeman, for home protection soon
found himself mere tool slave, to be bar
tered or transferred just at the within of self
created superiors.
Among those who were enlisting for the
Confederate army was a notable Capt. Crump,
who fourished conspicuously at the hanging
of u man in this county, year ago last June.
In offering inducements he spoke in this wise
"Men, the Constitution has been violated, your
country Invaded, and your homes desecrated
besides these, you have other motives to invite
you TO take up arms Look at these broad
tracks OF lands owned by Northern specu-
lators. The State of Arkansas has already
confscated them all, and will doubtless give
each of you farm. Cowardiee, lack of unity,
and poverty of the North, promises an easy
conquest, and twelve lnonth from now may
find each of you in possession of fine farm
close to the main road leading to Memphis /;
enjoying the blessings of free people with
just such government as we shall choose to
make. We need no assistance from the North
our country produces wheat, potatoes, corn and
oats in abundance, every thing goes to prove
that we ought to be nation of ourselves"
A few months passed, and the secession bub-
bic burst, the great vaunt of the self-sustaining
States proved failure. Pork, -four, salt, and
almost every article of food, rose above four
times their proper value, starvation seriously
threatened to join JEFF. Davis in completing
the utter ruin of the South. Potatoes and
cheese became extinct, and coffee, that much
loved beverage, had got SO high in market that
only the upper Tens could indulge in it.
When the country lady would enquire of the
merchant the price of his domestic, he would
answer, "ffty cents, madam" "How comes
it to be so dear?" "OI" he'd exclaim, 1T
GENES from the North" swell, your calico,
what is itf' "Scventy.liye cents, madam.
1T is extremely dear, sir +" We cannot lelp
it, madam, it comes from the North, and /
don't know if we shall ever get any more"
This lady asked the price of bucket, tub,
from the North, and was told further that shoes,
boots, and, in short, almost everything came
from the North. She then concluded it was
bad policy to quarrel with the people who
clothe and feed US SO cheap. In the meantime,
the Federals descended the river to Fort Pillow,
whereupon, the secessionists became wrathy
and swore that if Memphis should fall into
their hands, they would not trade with them,
nay, some even protested that that they would
not drink coffee provided the Federals would
giyeit for nothing. A few days, and behold,
the stars and stripes were placed on the most
prominent buildings in Memphis.
With the stars and stripes came their allies
protection and plenty, the market was supplied
with good andcheap provisions, and JEFF. Davis
and starvation teok their exit.
It may be truthfully said peace and security
reigns in Memphis; no more is the poor labor
ing man seized by the throat, at the hour o.
midnight, and forced molens roteras into the
army Of Davis, starvation, etc. Respecta
ole citizens inform me that q. no time within
the last eighteen months were the streets 81
destitute of drunkenness and vagraney as a
present.
Now look at Secession inconsistency. Tit
modifying influence of coffee, -four, etc, hav
ing spread through the Land, these Arkansa
paragoEs of Secession, regardless of forme
oaths and protestations, fastened to Memphi
and supplied themselves with -four, coffee, anC
such things as they needed, declaring, afte
they got home, that they did not take oath
and while they drink their hot coffee, and ca
their biscuit, with surprising inconsistenc.
they still persist in defaming the hand that fe
than and what IL worae stilI t.aar, ~, q eosn