Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1873-10-28
OUR ABsRHrRRs.

The time is coming when absenteei
can be invited home, and will be vel
coined back. VIXEN the Board Of Healtl
officially announces it to be safe anC
advisable, the absent can return with
immunity--not before. The Board o.
Health was organized to watch over
the health Of the city; il is an authorita
tive body, and to its voice the public
must defer. 1t was we'll for people to &c
away whes the fever was first officially
declared to be here, but getting out Of
danger did not release them Of RESPONSE
bility as citizens Of Memphis Many Of
our wealthy absentees could nave given
literally, but have contributed less than
their poorer brethren. These will have
an opportunity yet to help carry the in
digent through the coming season OF
want. Others who took or sent away
their families had very little ready
money. The epidemic was unexpected;
it cane close on the heels of cholera,
and many people now away had just re-
turned from summer trips, and had cx-
haustcd their available funds. They
came home TO replenish, not expecting
to Join in an exodus from the city.
Hundreds and thousands OF people now
away have scarcely money in their pock-
cts TO rcturH, aud arc entirely dependent
upon uturc business for support.
Money is close and scarce everywhere,
and il must not DC supposed that every
one who happens to be out OF the city
has pocket full Of gold. II absence
we're protracted much longer with the
masses, it would become primG fdcte
evidence of their pecuniary shortcom-
ings. The rich arc exceptions, but hard
TO reach or move. 1t is always the work
ing aud middle classes who move the
machinery Of industry aud business.
Not less than twenty thousand people
are away-not one in hundred has a
dollar to lend on the best collateral, al
though the majority will soon have avail
able means when once home and en-.
gagged at their ordinary avocations. The
entire cotton crop is yet to handle, and
when the siege is raised, as it were, busi-
ness will come with rush. The abscn-
tees will fill up their homes and swarm
once more upon the streets. Every
branch of business will revive, and
the rumbling wheels of commerce
will be heard where of late the solemn
hesrse has held undisputed sway.
The ladies' will inspire US again
with their presence on the sidewalks
and throng the dry goods palaces to Sc
lect the sober tinted fabrics of the com
ing season. If all had remained the
mortality would have been much greater.
No complaint has been uttered by those
Of us left behind, except against the few
who may have left and remained in
selfish spirit. Hundreds of absentees
have sent back liberal contributions OF
money, and many have exerted them
selves successfully in raising funds for
our sufferers. AS soon as it is safe we are
anxious to see every wanderer return to
his or her place, and take part in the
work of resuseitating and building up
Memphis. Every man, woman and
child is needed, and we hope that none
may become estranged from our old
Memphis in the hour Of misfortune, In
recognizing the brotherhood of the out
side world, let us cherish a closer
brotherhood of home people, and learn
to co.opegats in home interests. No
other policy will restore Memphis to her
wonted prosperity.