Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-01-18
aEMPEiIN APPEAL
mOkDAY MORNING, JAN. rs, IsGl
L PROSPECTS.

OUR
The prospects Of the South were never
better than al present. Turn where We
will, with the single exception Of militia
ridden Arkansas, peace and plenty, COL
tent and hope, prevail and inspire Il e
people. Tie great burden of indebted
ness, which last year hung like a night
mare upon Us, is paid off, and we are
comparatively free Of Northern creditors.
In this condition, with our corn cribs
well filled, a large increase in the num-
Der Of stock, money in pocket, fully half
the crop of cotton 70 realize from
yet, and a general disposition on
the part Of the laborers to ncquit
themselves, in the future, up to
the common standard Of iecency, we
may reasonably expect a future for our
country that viii surpsss all former pre-
cedent. To disturb or interfere with SO
promising s state Of affairs we know OF
nothing but the miiitls system of
BROwELOW, militia in Arkansas with
such fearful and soul-harrowing effects;
and perhaps the reconstruction meas.
ures yet to be forced upon Virginia, Mis-
sissippi or Texas. But these last count
for little in comparison withthe disorders
that are the results OF the presence OF
the militia. In Arkansas, where
this nondescEipt body of rufisns
have hsd full play, they have
left their mark with the most fearful ef-
fects. They have broken up the indus
trial pursuits Of the people, compelled
the entire cessation Of trade, have con-
scripted the laborers or forced their flight
for fear Of CONSUMPTION, have robbed the
planters Of their stock and crops, the
dealers Of their stocks Of goods, house
holds Of their wares, and even women OF
their jeWelry to which we may add the
Preparation OF murder and the more
fearful crimes Of rape and outrage.
Only in ms or two instances have
they accomplished the purposes for
which they were ostensibly called out,
and arrested the d~epredators whose mis-
deeds alarmed the authorities for the dig
nifty OF the State. With comparatively
8 better chance in the race of
ton than Tennessee, Arkansas is to-day
in almost IS poor condition as in 1866,
when the burners" and OF her in
famous bodies who msursuded through
her territory during the war, left her for
a brief season in repose. So terrible have
been the affections OF the militia in Ar
kansas; 90 terrible will they be in Ten
nessee, and elsewhere in the South, if
permitted BY the people. The efforts of
the press in behalf Of immigration, Of
manufacture, Of agriculture, Of trade
and commerce will be lost, and the State
be thrown back to worse than her con-
dltiOn in 1864, when she was overrun by
two contendi0g armies and denied the
intelligent labOrs Of her best citizens.
The bright prospects which have en-
couraged US, here especially, will be dis
sipstsd, and despair take the place OF the
hope that animates the hearts Of all
good men. All sense Of personal seen
rity will vanish before the edict Of a
Governor granted more than auto
cratic powers by a venal Legisla-
ture; families will, as in ATkAn-
sEs, flee to the cities in quest OF +:
safety from lustful and brutal authority ,
property will be abandoned to the raid I
ers, and scores Of innocent lives psy ,
the penalty Of the indiscEetions and mis- /
deeds OF a few misguided and lawless
men. Contemplating such results as
certain to follow its enforcement, We .
think a fearful responsibility rests upon :
members Of our Legislature who
have just consented 10 the passage of the t
militia bill. No plea of Ku-KIux dis I
orders will abate the condemnation and :
Indignation Of their misrepresented con-. r
.'tituents. 1t viii be said, and said truly. 6
hat they have the whole civil q
power Of the STATE at their COM \
nand, with which to arrest and
punish offenders; that they have not 80 3
attempted eyenthe faintest exertlon Of Il
power nor sought to enlist the repu- o.
able and respectable citizens OF the State |,
whose lives are a constant protest against
yrong-doing, to interfere, as the posse =
'ohnft0tUs, by the Sheriff's command. be. =,
ween the mystical Khan and their sun ri
'Osed victims. They propose to oppose
iolence by unlawful assaults upon peace e
bic communities, and force men to be- So
ONE the things they attempt to stamp
hem by unjust legislation. From br
ne Governor We csn expect nothing =,
ut the utmost stretch Of vindictiveness.
therefore, in view Of the passage Of al
militia bill, despair of the profitable sc
sturn which we are otherwise warrant. ~
4 In anticipating from u present pros
ecis. Dissatisfaction and uneasiness til
III prevail, and the people settle down IN
! sulieA despair, or perhaps engage in q
ssistAnee that viii leave more depIors-
ie results than the war.