Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-05-15

Second Circuit Curt JEdge-LRVLN
Criminal Court JUdge-----J e. FLLPELN.
Ary-GeaV Criminal oourt-LUKEE. WRIGHT.
THE undersigned has become a
stakeholder in the APPEAL Publish
ing Company, and one of the editors
of the APPEAL newspaper. Unwil-
ling to relinquish the custom, which
time has hallowed, of addressing the
public on such occasions, we beg leave
to offer a few words to the friends and
patrons Of the paper. We must with
difidence enter upon the discharge of
our duties as one Of the editors Of a
journal of the first standing in the
land: a journal adorned in former
by the correct Judgment of
Henry Van Pelt, the sterling good
sense of the generous and genial John
r. Mechanism, the adrOit and far
seeing policy of Benjamin F. Dill, the
astute John H. Mcmahon, whose spot
less integrity, private malice and pO-
Iitical rancor never sullied; the
scholarly attachments Of the talented
and amiable Leon Trousdale, and last,
though not least, the massive brain of
Albert Pike, whose grand intellect is
as lucid as the streamlet, and as abun-
dant as the sea. All of these giants
Of the press, save the two last named,
sleep peacefully beneath the green
earth. In becoming connected with
the paper which has made their
names imperishable, we feel that
if we can occupy nc niche
in the Pantheon which they have
reared to their own fame, we can do
something toward its perpetuation
and the support Of the great princi-
pies and those grand schemes of en-
terprise and improvement for which
they struggled. Every year the news
papers Of the country are filling more
important functions; every year the
demands upon them increase; theex-
penses increase and the necessity for
concentration Of energy and capital
increase in the same ratio. 1t was
these considerations that induced the
new arrangements in the APPEAL,
and Influenced US in linking our desti-
ny with the paper and joining our fu-
ture associates in their efforts to
build up a paper that will be a power
in the land. We promise an ardent
effort to be useful TO the people of Ten
nessee, Alabama, Mississippi and Ar
kansas-tO be an adjunct and helper
of progress and improvement in every
department-an aid in building their
railroads, their levees, their schools,
their churches, their new and i'm
proved agriculture, their mechanical
arts, their trade and the.r social,
moral and religious improvements.
Everything that will contribute to the
prosperity of the Southern peo-
pie shall find lin US a zeal
Gus friend and advocate. But
while looking TO the material
interest of the South we shall strive
ito inculcate correct principles, for
without these life is contemplate and
the comforts of life void Of satisfaction.
If we preserve the brave, fearless tenn
per Of the Southern people, we save
from the wreck Of fortunes the
most precions gem that sparkled in
the crown in u days Of prosperity.
Railroads, and turnpikes, and bridges,
and acqueducts, and Coliseums did
not save Rome when the immortal
spirit had been attacked like ga
worm in the bud" Hence the
cry for material developments,
without caring for mate
rial principles, the Constitution,
our liberties, honor, the genius Of our
institutions-on the ground that the
DAYS Of principle, like the days Of
@ Chivalry, are ended, as shameful; it
is scandalous; it is a most deceptive
cry, and a most fragrant fallacy. We
want material development; but we
do not want them by any dishonest
sacrifices; and we have yet to learn
that fidelity to the Right interferes
with either the prosperity or happiness
of q people. The philosophy Of the
craven spirits who teach the
despicable policy Of throwing princi-
piles to the dogs, Of conciliating the
Government, and Of bending the
knee and falling down and worship
ping the conquering hero as he comes,
would make US a ruined people, in
deed and in truth abject slaves. And
this obsequious fawning at the foot
stool Of power is suggested, because,
forsooth the Radicals are in power!
Are we never again to struggle for
principle when the chances are that
we may be beaten? Are we always
to make an abject surrender Of our
rights because they may be taken
from US? Are our people ever
to resist usurpation because their
rulers may appear too strong
to be safely defed? Is there nc
cause that is worth fighting for until
the last fortress is stormed and car.
ried; no combat in which it behoove,
the ship to go down with her flag
nailed and flying at her masthead
Is there never more to be opposition
TO arbitrary rule? Is there neveI
0 to be limit to subservient sub
mission to wrong and outrage? Ar,
our people never to be sickened anC
I'D with officiating? 1t seem
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