Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-01-27
aiEMPlEIS APPEAL


OF q gentleman whose whole life has
been spent within our borders; whose
name is linked with the history Of our
State, and whose powers as q writer have,
on more than one great occasion, been
exsrted in behslf Of the peace, the dignity
and the rights OF his fellow-eitizens. We
hope that his urgent appeal for : meeting
Of the best men OF Shelby county, and,
indeed, Of every county throughout the
State, will not be permitted to pass away
rs an idle record, but that promptly, as
the emergency calls for it, cur wise men
will respond, and, by their example, in
spire the wesk with the confidence that,
owing to the Governors Il-advised
course, is fast waning from private IS
well as public circles. II the leading
men Of both parties will but come to-
gelher and labor in the spirit OF this let
ter, it msy be made possible for as in .
lew HEGhs ~ zLlASGLLC ~ AEBSA9AOA VI
the militia and the return Of reason, good
sense and intelligence in the manage
nent of our State affairs. The interests
of every man, woman and child in the
State demand such a step as is called for
in this admirable and hsppily-worded
communication
Editors Memphis Appeal:
1t seems to me that the time for mere
elimination and idle complaint in our
political affairs has passed. Neither
public men nor journals can do any real
service to their country by defamation
OF, decrial. We have arrived at a crisis
that is most serious, and threatens to
plunge US into sIl the horrors and
troubles incident to undisciplined mill
tRry in our midst. There may be some
who would hail such a contamination.
But reading history as 1 do, and having
the experience that we sl nav Of war,
dosolstion aud bereavement, 1 am not Of
that number. II we can avoid further
horrors, in God's name, for the sake Of
our common humanity, and in the in
terest of the growing generation, let US
do 30. II there be left in the land any
craftsmanship either with the dominant
or the conquered faction, let it st
once be evoked and set actively to
work to ward of the perils which
beset our unfortunate country. ! pro-
pose concisely to state the cause Of our
peril, and then to hint at what I am per-
suaded is the only remedy that can be
applied to remove it. l DO so in the in
terest OF no party, but in the name and
or the sake Of cur country and country
men Of all classes, factions aud parties
for the sake Of the peace, prosperity and
happiness Of ourselves and those who
are to come after Us. It becomes more
and more evident every day that the
surrender Of 1866, while entered into in
ROOD faith on the part of the thoughtful
and patriotic, was only 8 truce to the
hOstilities which had prevailed between
the designing and violent extremists OF
both sections. II was no cessation Of
extreme passions and prejudices. While
the South claims that her soldiers laid
down their arms in good faith, and with
the sincere resolve to yield obedi-
ence TO the Constitution and laws,
we cannot blind our eyes to the
stubborn fact that s war Of sec
tiOnal psrties has been waged inees-
sanity ever since that disastrous day to
Southern aspirations when the good but
heroic LEE shesthed his sword. Here lie
the fact, Mr.. Editor, that it behooves US
all to look ct with as little OF ssperity and
prejudice as is possible for US to indulge
in. We must face the stern conviction
that only a truce hiss been held-not 3
lasting peace. The bloodhOunds Of pas
sion snd party are upon our track. /
speak sOberly ard without passion, and
Heaven is my witness that l aIlude to so
significant q reality for no purpose, hos.
tile TO the peace OF sections, the brother
hood of States or the good order Of
society but rather to stir up the hearts OF
our people to inquire into the causes of
20 extraordinary q contamination Of an
undisputed victory Of the Government,
and 10 apply the obvious and only rene
dy. Lst every man who reads these
lines ask himself, in all frank
ness and sincerity, why is it that
We nave not been permitted, after a lapse |
of 80 many years, to feel that we have q
peace. If history does not furnish the
answer, human passion, growing out OF
the distrust and apprehension OF q long
continued contest, Enthusiastically pro-
nounces the verdict. The contemplation
Of the wreGking Of a tong smOthered re-
UeRge, supposed to be hdr6ored in the
breasts Of some URt0ise men an the South,
ana apprehension and distrust of some
a0ho control the Government, is the cause
of all the TepreSsiUe measures of the
dominant parry, and Is the true KEY TO
the situation. We may turn over the
perplexing problem Of anomalous and
despodc legislation and usurpation in
what way we may, and it resolves itself
always into this. 1t is not to the pur-
pose to argue that no such retaliation is
contemplated-nO such revenge hAr
bored. The dominant party believe it.
are convinced Of it-and they act upon
the theory or supposed fact. 1t is this |
theory which has "let slip the dogs Of
wal" in Arkansas, and which threatens
Tennessee with 3 doom none the less
certain unless such a parley shall be held
between the contending factions as shall
reassufe' restore and redeem U suffer- |
ing and unhappy peopIe. II ia this last
effort 10 "Aru on the blows of a cruel
destiny and rescue our innocent families
from the ansrch's rule, which 7 would
most earnestly invoke. Statesmsnsbin
should never surrender to imbeciIa soIP
tune, when such mighty Interests, IN.
dustrial, neral and social, are AT spsta
and while there is a CLEAN of hope for
security and peace. We are unworthy
20 enjoy good government and the bles-
aings of freedom II We fold our arms and
hermit the storms OF hatred and deviIish
fsod to sweep over US without q manly
effort 10 avoid the great calamity, Then