Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-02-13
SECRETARY rLETcnER

The present Secretary OF the State Of
Tennessee-whom OLD PLUTO says he
picked up u OF beggary and made q big
man Of-hss, for some time past, beer
carrying on 3 war with his divergence
cOus be~nefaetor, and has, in two or three
letters, Zone Of which we publish to-
day., been rejecting severely upon the
policy Of the Governor and the ultra
Radicals Of the State. He says that he
has no ambition for Office, and that his
sole desire is to see the people enfrsn-
eaised, peace restored to the State and
indualry rewarded by abundant harvests
and far profits. This is all well. Such
sentiments will readily pass for the en-
anations Of an unRmblticus patriot, but
they sre neutrslized by his faith in the
very Republicsnism that has worked the
evil he so loudly regrets. He clings to the
party, and hOpss that all things will work
together for good through it's agency.
And this, in face Of his own experiences
with q Legislature that refuses any meas
ure OF acknowledgement to the intelii-
genee Of the State, and that hassignalized
itself the intimate ally Of SUMNER and
his kind-who realize in the exercise Of
the ballot by the negro the only sure
p~erpstuation Of Radicalism and con-
tinued punishment Of q people whom he
and they hate with an implacsbls hatred.
MI. FLETCHER is much disturbed by the
unconstiiutionalitiss OF Gov. BRowNLow.
He has much to say about what has been
done since he ceased to be the fsetotun
Of the Governor, but not one word OF
excuse for his unconstitutional appoint
msnt Of judges and other State off,
Gers, or for his most latitudinaTisn ex-
eroise OF the functions OF the Execu'
tive office in a way TO insure and for the
purpose Of forcing upon the people OF
Tennessee the Odious and tyrannical sys-
tenn he can no longer control. Not long
since, the Uaion and american, in an
article Of some length, reviewed the
gubernatorial stretches of authority
through this Factotum FLETCHER and,
if our memory serve US well, they we're
among the most fisgrant violations Of
the Constitution OF the State that We
have any record Of. That article gave
our Secretary credit for more than ff-
teen hundred appointments made in
open violation Of the organic law, and
for which we have never heard that he
had any excuse to offer or any repent
ance to make. Under and by virtue of
a carte blanche from the Governor, he
acted Just as suited him best, and per-
haps il was because he did so that that
cross-purpossd fuaetionary withdrew the
unconstitutional powers with which be
had invested his now recusant Secretary,
and transferred his friendship and pat
ronage to bis successor ia the difficult
task Of editing the Knoxville Rhig-to
the Rev. DR.. PEARNE, the brother Of that
Rsv. PEARNE, who is hunt
ing up the Devil as Chief Com
missioner of the Metropolitan Police Of
Memphis. But it is never too late to
mend; and If Secretary FLETCHER will
square out, as the saying is, and
clean breast Of ell he knows, after
The m2uner Of RUTTER, producing letters
and instructions, and hereafter utterly
,epudiate a party, the name OF which IS
synomine for rsscslity, our faith in his
'ecsnt syowais will be stronger, and our
confidence In his future be setter ss-
ured.