Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-02-28
special to the Memphis Daily Appeal
MARIETTA, GA, February ., 1867.
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HttSDt ~ DNoHt1oof w.
Special TO the Memphis Daily Appeal
MARIETTA, GA, February ., 1867.
Editors Memphis 6ppeat:
Finding myself away from Memphis,
] for a few DAYS, and IN the midst OF old
| scenes and faces, in the empire state OF
the south, I have thought II would not
be without interest to you to give you a
few "dottings" from this point. AT
all events it will be evidence Of my WI
interest in you.
The politics of Georgia are naturally
looked TO with interest, as Georgia has
been long regarded as the empire state OF
the south. And though in days Of yore
/ have thought the title was emInently
bad as Characteristic as much Of the pros
titutiOn OF her politicians, Ike those OF
the empire state of the north, as
of the true elements Of empire, yet
I must confess / have been gratitied
at her course in the late attempt by the
radicals to degrade the south. She has
stood square on her rights as q state.
One of the original thirteen, she has not
forgotten her ancient pr~erogative Of SOW
erignty so successfully asserted under
TrOup, and while conceding all that II
honor she could to the demands OF the
unleashed hounds of unbridled power at
Washington, she has refused with be-
coming dignity 10 compromise her honor,
and consent to her own degradation.
From what 1 can see she will adhere TO
this course, willing to accept an enforced
despotism rather than subscribe TO her
own dishOBOr.
A feeling of dependency at the po-
lHtical situation is apparent-but still the
-4oUfrsDaa of har citizens l. GIpn
that they can read by the light
Of history the not distant downfall
Of s. party so radical and extreme as
now rule the hour, led by such Jac0bins
as Stevens and Sumner and Butler and
Ashley, ct id OHUl6 genus, and therefore
they ieel they can b.de the result.
But power and spOils always have
their influence on the mass, and JvHi
carry away the weak and the unprinci-
pied, that large class of society, which,
unable 70 understand, or unwilling to
abide, by principle, when it conflicts
with profit, is always ready to plunge
into any and every scheme that, accord
ing to the Yankee phrase, UH pay"
Hence / am not surprised to learn tnlt
in nearly ali the state there are OrgaL-
lied "l0yal leagues n-secTet 0~ath-bOund
societies for radical ends, and in radical
interests, and which are said to be
composed Of black and white in
Discriminatory. They are, doubtless,
intended as a support to congress in It's
revolutionary crusade against the pTesi-
dent and the supreme court, should
| their measures, brought to head, provoke
| hostility open and actual. But whether
| this occur or u0t-whether il prove, ike
the knOw-nOthing societies, the incubus
which will kill the party which has in
vOked their aid, or live to reap the Te-
ward for their perfdy to the true
interests Of the country and Of constitu-
tiOnal liberty, / would not envy the
southern man who identifies himself
with their black and white meetings.
It must prove 10 such a backgammon
board or Unpleasant and painful rehec-
tiOus il the future, if not Of positive ma
teTial loss. SO far as 1 can learn,
their operations are confined 10
the negroes and such weak or
corrupt citizens IS know not how
10 avoid evil, OF are willing to accept it
for a consideration. The head centers Of
these organizations are Of course radicals
Of the purest stripe, and they know what
they are doing, however Ignorant the
deluded dupes of their designing cum
ming may be-and for them D more
ignorant these are the better, hence their
favOrite prey is the poor negro. God
HELM the Door African, How much rsa-
son has he to exclaim, IN earnest prayer,
God deliver me from my friends!
/ believe cne people Of the state are
well creased with their governor, who
has always been accounted a pure man,
too pure for their acceptance once, tut
since their sad experience of the last six
years acceptable as water to a thirsty
soil. He has shown, too, by his admins
tTatiOn of that great interest the state
road, through his efficient S~uPeriutend-
ent MAJ. c. Wallace, that it can pan,
eve under the present Disadvantages,
as well as when fully equipped and
stocked, which Others had sought to do
but sit down at the two ends and receive
the income.
! 90 not know who is likely to be the
next governOr-eXceps that some pre-
sumptiOus renegade and radical by the
name OF AshbUrn has announced him
self as a candidate, with the offer of a
bet on his success-buU think the people
cannot do better than to keep Gov. Jen-
kins for at least another term.
The accounts which reach YOU of the
fearful amount Of destitution in this state
are by no mean exaggerated. The
number OF persons Who are deDapdaDt
Af0A LA4A ~ ADA AATA AhLlF Dread Is ]
placed at $1,000, aud l am satisfied from
personal observation that estimate is not
too large. To provide for this large
number the state authorities and the
beniiCence OF her more lucky citizens
doing their utmost but al that they
can do, in her impoverished condition,
prevent a great amount OF suffer-
ing and almost starvation ia many fami-
lies. The state Of Kentucky and city OF
New York, have been, and are SILL,
most liberal ia their donations Of money
and food. Portions Of Tennessee,
also, are doing much 10 give
the desired assistance. One Of
Kentucky's nOblest women, Mrs.
Hughes, has been for months past, in
Adanta. receiving the supplies from
STATE, and distributing them with
her " hands, thereby avoiding the
commissions and general waste and mis-
appropriation which is so often the case
when such matters are left 10 those who
are looking only to their individual
50 far, no instances of actual
starvation have transpired, but il will I
a great deal more to be done, as !
relief can be looked for until the next 5
is made. From the unusual GUAM
ity Of snow which has fallen this winter, !
|, good wheat crop is anticipated, though
{ Is not forward enough at this time to -
.dmit Of any calculation. The last
.rOp proved such a signal failure,
this season there is a
much smaller area planted than last.
dany farmers were 50 dishearteued from
be result OF last years labor, that they
allied TO sow any, and now that the d.,
Weather promises such q favorable result. :
hey are equally disheartened at not
.avlng placed more confidence in the Z
lterpositiOn Of an All-wise Providence.
preparations for planting cotton and
be other cereals are general and active Z
throughout the whole state. Strange to =
I have heard no complaint OF the =
Of laborers, though my observation {
not extend FAR enough to allow me- !
0 say there is not. Ii would seem prOb- 4
that there is, for in every city and ~
own, and al every crOss-road, agents are
be seen gathering up freedmen to eu!-
.vate the more productive cotton lands y
rest.
Il is not remarkable, after giving Won \
lch a statement Of the political feeling \
nd the amount Of restitution in the
tate, for ne TO say there is q general
.aguatiOn in business Of all kinds.
Without money and without the articles
commerce, goods must lie on the
lelves Of merchants unsold. Failures
/ commercial circles cannot but be the
climate result Of such a state. and &c
though they are daily looked for. none