Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-05-17
REIGN OF TERROR AT LITTLE ROCK
FLYING POLITICIANS.

FLYING RB14AtAOaAh8s
So sbsurd is the anticipated action o
Briudle Brooks, so-called, in allusion Il
his stupid obstinacy, that, despite as
sertions Of our correspondents and tn,
preparations Tor tronble making by Gov
ernor Baxter, we have hardly enter
tained the supposition that al
aged ex-priest would sacrifice the peac
and prosperity of great State TO tn
purposes Of insatiate selfish ambition
There mas never risen above the surfac,
of the foul sea Of Arkansas politics ;
more dangerous man than this hard
visaeed, bony-headed, black-skinnee
Brooks. His eyes have a metallic
luster, and glare upon partisan
a. formerly upon sectarian enemies
with demoniac malignity. Ills shcui'
ders are bent as he leans forward in the
very earnestness with which he pursues
aims of hellbOrn or heavenly aspiration
His fingers are always clenched, and his
dirty nails plow the palms OF horny
hands. His hair Is thin, and grizzledi
and coarse. and his teeth yellow and
irregular, his features aquiline, his form
muscular, his step elastic, and Of truth
he Is "Bully Brindle Brooks" he has
aII the vices that Macaulay ascribed tC
lle worst OF Puritans without the re-
defining virtues which Alexander III.
Slephens tells Us distinguished this mar
velOus race. Brooks is fanadcal, fierce,
malignant; utterly devoid Of fear,
and hardly capable OF any act OF
common prudence. He set out to win
the chief magistracy Of Arkansas, and
no trihing obstacle will be suffered to
balk him Of his purpose. We viii DO
Mr. Brooks the justice TO say that there
is much justice, if he deserved justice, IN
his claims. The opinion obtains that ne
won at the polls; but Brooks has often
assented to the principle in Arkansas
politics that majorities have no right to
govern. Results of elections IN that
blessed State foryears past, as Mr. Brooks
can attest, depend upon those who dis
franchise counties, manipulate ballot-
boxes and make up returns in the
State capitol or all men, Mr.. Brooks
has least reason, unless some like ca
Iamitv befaI his friend Senator Clayton,
to complain that he was beaten by 1.-The
count" Strangely enough, though
Brooks is commonly supposed to be Of
the bovine genus, he has never learned
the philosophy of the old fable about
the bull that was punished, in Webster s
spelling book. Arkansian modes Of
defining results in popular elections
was well enough till sold brindIe" was
gored. He grows desperate, and shows
fight. He applied TO the legislature,
and when be went before the senate
fifty pistols were clenehed by nervous
fugers Of as many members of the
Arkansas senate and house gathered
around him. His claims to the office
sought were not even considered. He
was elected without the manifestation
Of feelings Of common respect. He
went away furious, maddened, full Of.
iuappeasable wrath. Baxter had not
then distributed all paying places at his
disposal, and those who sought, as well
as those who had accepted office at Bax-
ter's hands, looked unkindly upon
poor Brooks. He was betrayed
5y his staunchest friends and /
.,y those in whom he most eonfided. He
cursed Baxter, and cursed his own friends
who became his enemies. The number
Of Baxter's enemies grew rapidly, as the
Offices We're filled. Ten were disap-
pointed for each one that secured office, |
and Brooks, therefore, has rapidly gain
Il strength. There are hungry Demo
Gratis. not lew, who love office more
than the State, and are now said to be
adherents; here are countless
adventures who see that the very foun- |
Of their political fortunes
are giving way; Oliver, the sheriff OF
Pulaski county, Of which Little Rock is
the capital, has money and friends, and
is a devout adherent of Brooks; Chief /
Justice Mcclure is as fearless and reck- :
less IS Brooks; there are five hundred
disappointed adventures about Little I
Rock ready for any devilish deed; there
are whites and negroes utterly opposed
lo the liberalization of codes which |
distinguishes Bakers administration. /
as it may be deemed, and ruin
ous TO the State, alike to society and /
property values, it is believed in Little /
Rock that Brooks and his cOadjutors-
Mcclure aud Others-wiH beget
% collision. Governor Baxter stated to
our correspondent Thursday morning
nat he would not recognize any fat
of McCIme's court by which the
governors Office was for moment
vacated. No summons from this court /
viii be obeyed, no decree recognized.
Ia tins course Mr.. Baxter is supported /
ly the best men of Arkansas, in fact, by |
G he great body of the white men who |
voted for Brooks. The people are weary 1
1f confusion, of vice in Office, Of thieves
and adventures, and when this contest
begins, if begin j, must, either Brooks
and Mcclure viii be speedily crowned
masters Of Arkansas or speedily hanged.
Our correspondent gives a list Of prOmi-
nent citizens OF Little Rock, ofiice-hold-
ers and Others who have left the city
within the week. This it is needless
.u-t now 10 publish