Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-07-29
REPLY TO "a. B. c."

Editors appeal = When I penned
my communication published in your
Sundays issue, 1 did not suppose
that any one who knows Cap
tain Lacey, and the position he occupies
as to " eligibility" to a seat in Congress
would raise a question in that regard. But
as your correspondents "a. b. c." has
thought proper to dol so, it is proper 1
should reply. he asks, eff your CORES
pondent is correct, how can Captain
Lacey subscribe to the following oath"
etc. .
If I understand the force of the Eng
lish language, and meaning and intent of
the act of Congress 70 which he refers, it
contains nothing which would make Cap
for the private sentiments contained with
In his own breast, and which were not so
used or expressed as to violate any rule
or order of the military authorities, or
act or resolutions of Congress. Captain
Lacey had learned from experience before
coming to Memphis that great prudence
was necessary when coming in contact
with the military. He had tasted some of
the fruits of imprudent expressions before
coming here, in the destruction of his
property, and insults to himself and
family by the military caused by the feel
ings which it was believed he entertained.
1 did not intend TO say more than was
contained in my first communication, in
reg 'rd to what Captain Lacey had done
for Southern people, but "a. B. @" has
made it necessary. While his acts were,
to my certain knowledge, of the most
liberal kind and sympathising kind to-
ward those in distress, yet they were S o
prudently bestowed that no act of Con-
gress or military order was violated.
This course was necessary for his indi
vidual good, and without it his influence
and ability to do the many acts of kind
ness to Southern people would have been
sight, or what is usually termed
s~kreUdneSs, Of Captain Lacey, in thus
keeping himself in the right position.
Would he not show equal good manage
ment and ability in Congress, in behalf
of the people of this DISTRICT
1 did not intend TO shock the modesty
of Captain Lacey by parading before the
public his many good acts, which were
bestowed Then we were under strict mill
tary rule and at which time he could not
have thought of future reward; but "a.
B. c." compels me to enumerate some
which came within my knowledge. l will
say nothing of his kindness in individual
eases, to families of many of our citizens
who were absent during the Federal Oc-
cupation of Memphis, but l will again re-
fer to his known kindness to Confederate
DAlSOlOAo 6CAC ~ " =
when a prisoner, was a recipient at Cap
tain Lacey's hands, of clothing INT other
comforts, and for which / could not forget
him. He obtained a permit from General
Sherman to supply the prisoners nom
Arkansas Post" when confined in boats
in front of our city, almost frozen by the
cold blasts of winter, with clothing,
blankets, ETC., and contributed me hun
dred dollars for the purpose. He also OBJ
tanned permission ron General Sherman
to open the store to supply destitute fami-
lies, many of whom were in a starving or
suffering condition. To this object he con-
tributed $3.50, and in addition thereto $IC0
per month, during the winter of l662-63.
He went to Washington, at his own ex-
pense, and got the order countermanded
prohibiting shipments of provisions below
Cairo. At another time he ven to Wash
ington and procured the removal of the
Infamous General Dana and the r~estora-
ton of General Washburn, the only
gentleman we ever had in command here
during the Federal occupation. He took
an active part in having citizens relieved
from that infamous order, requiring them
to go on all trains to Collierville because
the trains had been fired on by Confede-
rate soldiers. He caused many private
citizens, of both own and country, to be
released from the Irving Block" who
were confined for trivial causes These,
and many other things, were lone tor the
relief of Southern people. Still they were
nos done ia cORtrdUentiOR of LdO or mill
tGry orders, and hence do not eisquali-
fly Captain Lacey from taking the oath
to.
When in the Legislature Of Missouri,
and when the question of secession was
agitated, amid the greatest excitement
Captain Lacey declared in opposition to
the policy. but also declared, as did the
immortal Lee, that his allegiance was due
to his State, and whatever it did he would
by 1t through good and evil. This
defined his position. and caused the Fed
eral soldiers to destroy his property and
maltreat his family; hence he left his ma
tive State, and become a citizen of Men,
phis, and did no come here as an GdUen-
turer.
1 think these things entitle Captain
Lacey to the warm consideration of our
His position is so well under
stood that no question would or could be
raised in regard to his eligibility if elect
de to represent us in Congress. / know
be could and would take the required
oath without compromise of his good
or feelings. DEMOCRAT.