Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-05-19

08 TAtA'E NEu0Eu " IAttlIIDIA1
verse;
WESTWARD the star Of empire takes its wayt'
In addition to what has been already
said by the honorable Mayor, permit me
70 glance very briefly to the history of our
city, and TO remark that within the recol-
lection OF many of those now present. the
first permanent location on what was then
known as the Chickasaw Bluffs" was
made in May, 1870, by John Overton, who
gave to his infant settlement the classic
name of Memphis" North Mississippi
was then Inhabited exclusively b yIndians,
and the Western District Of Tennessee had
only very partially been reclaimed from
the wilderness. In 1885 the Indians, by
the treaty Of Pontotoc, relinquished their
occupancAof North Mississippi, and upon
their removal, the country being at once
filed up By an intelligent, wealthy, and
enterprising population, attracted thither
from adjacent States. the change that Oc-
CURED was almost like the work Of en-
chantment. Up to this period, which was
some twenty years from the date of Over
tons settlement, Memphis had remained
a mere riverside village or landing, y
containing then a population of some
800 or 5000. But now began a new era
in her history! Becoming the commercial
center of this vast and fertile interior, capt.
tai eagerly sought investment here; popu-
lotion poured in by thousands, more
than quadrupling the number of inhabi-
tants in a single decade; the telegraph
extended its wizard wires in every direc-
ton; railroads c~onverging here from the
four points Of the compass, filed the air
with the continuous scream of the steam
whistle, and the never ceasing vibrations
of their trains; whilst lying two or three
deep along the gharyes, or plying upon
the river might be seen crafts of almost
every model, from the rude and primitive
" broad-horn" or1he hatbOat, TO the gor-
geOus " floating palace" the paragon of
naval architecture; all presenting a scene
of t~ireiess Notwithstanding, discharg-
ing, transporting, the wealth of half a
continent; and, until the ruthless hand of
war struck, as with a paralysis, this busy,
boating mart, it seemed as though the
very genius OF progress and prosperity
had selected this as her private abode,
and a future second in importance 10 no
other inland city on the continent, and
worthy Of the fame of the ancient Mem
destiny. St6nn<6 BY the blow that
crushed the industrial interests OF her
tributary country. she lay for a time gasp
Ing for breath; but with an elastic recupe-
rative power, she sprang again 10 her feet
and shook the dust rom her garments, and
though, with a dilapidated e~xciIequer, as
her official representation has confessed,
" nAtl1 iSs tNtIf DGA III kctDilA VIII
the times, we find her still vigorous and
hopefIl-grasping again the reins of
power-preparing TO increase then number
of her railroads; organizing her steam
navigation companies; diyersifying n
multiplying her manufacturing estab-
Iishuients; adding mile after mile ~Of
the NicolsOn pavement upon her streets;
establishing street railroads; extending
her corporate limits and assuming the
nronorfionG and cbaraef ariGffra IF n Cyy.a4r
and growing city; and that she may he
outdOne in nothing, her irrepressiblP
Youth-frOm fifty years old and under
have embarked Zealousiy and enthusiast
icaliy in the yelocipede enterprise, as yoa
vii have ample opportunity of witness
ing before your adjournment! THIS train
or remark, coming from one occupying
the position of a representative OF this
cisy, and following upon what has been
already said by the Honorable Mayor,
may, | fear, be regarded as OF questions
bile taste and pTop1ety, and will at least
be supposed to indicate hat whatever
else We may or may not possess, we have
nos uch an excess of mOdesty AS TO pre-
vent It's from fully approaching our own
merits; bat you will, l know, pardon US
when / assure you that this apparent
Boosting and parade of u own
and prospects are prompted only by the
very high respect and regard W. entertain
for YOU, and that like the maiden who
displays her attractions 20 the best advan-
tage, that She may enlarge her field of.
conquest, we are only presenting the pc
culiar advantages We possess, that We
may indnce YOU 10 east in yOur lot with
us and share in theSe advantages. Some
OF YOU, at least, we Would fain hope, have
/" come to stay" and il other arguments
and inducements fail, we have one that to
the widowers and bachelors among you
must prove irresistible.
There is a legend in tine city of AncOna,
in Italy, that It's female Inhabitants, hav-
ing commended themselves to Che pecu-
liar fayor of the Blessed Virgin, she took
the city under her special protection; pro
bounced upon those of her own sex a low
ing benediction, and conferred upon them.
the boon OF t~eanscendent beauty 10 their
perpetual heritage, and which is now their
distinguishing characteristic. \ glancs AZ
the lovely presence that adorHs this hall
viii give assurance that you are to-day
convened in the Ancona of America. And
wherever You may go Snsr the delibera-
ions OF this body haV5%1oSed, many OF
YOU j know will carry with q an aching
void. and viii leave your hearts behind
you IN the keeping of some fair enehant-
ress. And this j. the only aspect in which
we eXpcc; the question of "woman's
rights To claim the consideration of the
members of this body-heT unquestionel
right to reign with queenly supremacy
over the empire of love, and receive tie
voluntary homage of the manly heart.
When M swaYs the scePter, then we
are all zealous inlperialists, and ae-
knowledge ourselves 90 be her w ining and
obedient subjects.
And now, trusting 10 your forgiveness,
one aud all. for haNing drawn so largely
upon your patience. ] once more, in the
name of the Chamber of Commerce, the
chamber of beauty, and ofall the citizens
OF Memphis. Bit YOU a hearty, whole
'souled weieonIe. prolonged applause.
After the gentleman ceased the Conven-
ton was declared adjourned until four
O'Clock, 10 the evident disgust of several
parties who wanted 10 say '.jus- 4 word