Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-09-06
why are we Forsaken 7

/
In using the personal pronoun I'VE y
| include the citizens who reside at and
near the upper end of Third street, in
the vicinity OF the Napoleon saloon" 7"
A more appropriate name for this saloon
could not have been selected, for had
Napoleon resided in such place, he
would have been in his element, had not
the odoriferous perfume overpowered
him. l ask in the name of those citizens
why are we forsaken ? Is it because lady
promenaders are scarce in this neigh
borhood, and our gallant young Metro.
politans have few admiring glances
directed at their smooth chins and
twisted moustaches2 Or, it may be
because the houses are too low to cast a
comfortable shade on the sides Of our
street Or perhaps it is because porti-
cos are scarce, and shelter during storm
hard to find. But it is not always rain
ing, neither is the sun always shining,
but young ladies are generally scarce.
Therefore, think that must be the real
cause. Last summer they (the ladies'
could frequently be seen during the day,
and their steady, measured and assuring
tread could be repeatedly heard during
the night Now, we listen for it in vain.
The calm quiet of last summer no longer
reigns. This once pesceable heighbor-
hood has become nightly the battle
ground of contending niggerdom.
Nightly old memories are forcibly re-
vived by the sharp report of pistols, tho
whizzing of bullets, and last, but not
least, the horrible yelling and shouting
of contendipg niggers as they are prov
ing their respective claims, by the now
established use of might, to the favors OF
some glossy faced ebony wench. There
fore, have the honor to respectfully
suggest, as we used to say in the
army, to the police authorities that
l think that the sooner this is
stopped the better, for the fol-
lowing reasons, which a good com
mander should reflect, as it may save
useless sacrifice of life. Until lately the
shooting was very bad-indeed, no one
ever being even wounded But now it
is becoming more serious. Practice is
telling. A few nights ago only two shots
were fired, when heard a woman loudly
screaming "0hl Lord, I'm shot" |
think she was, although did not get up
to ascertain. But am certain it was
not through the lungs. On Tuesday night,
about eleven o'clock, the firing was
very heavy for great city in peaceable
times. / think no less than twenty shots
were fired without molestation. After it
had ceased, | heard man say, at inter
walls, and between half suffocating
gurgles, apparently caused by clotted
blood collected in his throat, that he was
shot through the neck. | must admit
that even /, who have participated in
score of battles, am getting little scary.
Now they are commencing to shoot low,
that calmness and security that is so
necessary for the enjoyment of good
nights rest is lacking, when you don't
know the moment visitor in the shape
of bullet may enter your window, or
pass through your bedroom door, and
launch you unprepared into eternity.
Have we no friends7 Are there none, of
Shermans bummers on the police
that have respect enough for a few of
Joe Johnston's graybacks to induce
them to remove this nuisance2 Have
they forgotten that they promised if VIC
would surrender and obey the laws they
would protect us2 We have obeyed, and
are still obeying, SO | think that it is
their duty to see that we sleep undis-
turbed, for the Lord knows we lost
enough sleep from their firing. Then
rally bummers," for old acquaintance
sake. The danger is not great 1t wont
be half so shot" as you used to find it
in Georgia sometimes.
hope my article will have some in
fuence to induce the police in the upper
part of the city to look after the niggers
that nightly make this neighborhood a
hell on earth. The neighbors have com
planned without effect while those who
profit by them are Radicals and say they
don't disturb them. The truth is there
is scarcely night when persons life
is safe, even in his own house. The
statements | have made are the truth,
which most of the neighbors will verify.
j. c.