Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-10-20
.voICE TRom

One standing on the bank Of the Great
River that flows by Memphis, looks
across it into what Ess one a State Of
the American Union, but is nov en- en-
shaved Province, governed by q Military
Despot, It's laws existing, its officers act
inc. It's Courts sitting at his sufcrancer
and his imperial constitutions and re
-cripts like those ofthe CsesaEs, being the
supreme law.
1t is demanded Of the white men OF
/ that Province that they shall accept the
negroes. lately emaneipsted, as their Po-
HtcaI EQUALS, and by uniting With them
q, form a new government, acknowledge
that they are rightfully enslsved, and
that they have no Constitution, no valid
laws. 10 legal government They were
and perhaps are about to do it, to their
eternal shame snd dishOnor but we
rejoice TO ind that all are not ready for
the sacrifice.
The e~ncyclicaI letter which &C copy
below bears the names Of some Of the
most eminent citizens Of the State OF
Arkansas. GEO. c. WATKINS has been
/ Uh6f Justice Of the Supreme Court, L.
NJ. Rose, Chancellor, and E. H ENGLISH
MANY e Chief Justice; and there are
not in the State three citizens, whose
/ opinions ought to have greater weight
with the people. All were conservative
men before the war, and neither is i'm
p~uIsive, passionate, rash OF hssty. An.
|GARrANDis senator elect from the State,
snd was her Senator IN the Confederate
Congress. DANIEL RINGO was District
/ Judge before the war, and 8 citizen OF
/ Arkansas from the Territorial times.
/ There q Other distinguished names on
/ the list. OF Confederate officers like Major
/ Generals CHURCHILL and FAGAE, and
among these lame that Of WILLIAM 4.
( WOODRUFF, perhaps the oldest, certainly
/ one Of the most venerable and respected
! citizens Of Arkansas. Its wellthst they
have spoken. The people Of Arkansas
will deeply regret it hereafter, If they do
not heed the words Of these wise and
sober c~ouuseIors
I To the peg1Ie OF the state o. Arkansas, or such
asmav be entitled TO vote a. the coming cleo
rIGu- fixed by Gen. Ord for lhe pm cay NuIs1
Z Tuesday, OF November, a. D., iot.
Each ofus whose names appear to this
paper, has received, from time 10 time,
I letters from various persons in the STATE,
asking d opinions and advice as to the
course to be pursued i1 the election above
referred 20. Upon consultation We have
agree upan this method Of answering
those letters; ard in so doing we but
give q opinions, and DO not assume TO
direct any one, or to dictate To any one.
After most careful and thorough con
sideratiOn of the reconstruction act Itself,
with sll the reasons for and against,
WHICH We have heard or read, We regard
reconstruction under that act As an
imDOssi0iiity. some sort Of restoration
may be bad under IL, but a recoDstruc-
I ton such as will give OUr people equal
rights with others, and such IS viii Sc
cure to our State and her citizens full
| constitutional rights cannot be had I'M
der that measure. Any reconstruction
| short of this would be 3 cruel mOckery,
and result, 10 the 6nd, Ia the certain de-
graduation, pr0strati0n and complete ruin
Of the State. As harsh and severe, and
~ OllUl5 as m-lltaTg Ilit Mag DcI We
prefer il infinitely 10 what must, Of ne
cessity follow from any kind Of Testor1-
ton or reconstruction under that act.
Therefore. a convention to bring about
such q reconstruction rs this Dill cOntem-
! ulatesis to be avoided IS the worst Of
evils. Aud if the convention Is not
needed to effect national restoration, OF
national integrity, certainly it Is not
necessary for any merely local purposes.
This is more particularly true when in
lie proceedings, hundreds and thousands
Of oar citizens are not permitted to have
even . voice, but are altogether excluded
from it, and besides are DISTINGUISHED,
and branded as traitors and felOns.
We regard it then ~ 8 sacred duty on
The mart Of those who claim this ss their
home, and UhO feel for the pride, honor,
and prosperity Of the State, to go to the
polls and vote against q convention, and
AZ the same time % vote for cautious,
prudent, Ui5e, conservative delegates, 80
that If "a convention should be held, its
proceedings will be controlled and d.
rected with an assurance that the State
will not be given up to destruction.
These are the views We entertain Oh
this most important question, and they
are submitted with 3 full conviction and
= perfect sense Of the magnitude Of the
interests at stake.