Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-12-01

tlemen, to make a set speech, merely e
acknowledge the compliments conferred
To my friends Of the press and legal
profession / leave the pleasant task oil
entertaining you for the remainder oil
the evening. II is their peculiar prov.
ince not only 10 write but to speak well
on ali subjects. Besides, II will be recOl.
leeted that there is an old Latin maxim
which says, Among the laws the arms
are SILENT
6. "The Commercial Interests OF Memphis
Response by Bronson Bayiiss, Esq.
RESPONSE OF BRONSON BAYLIss, EsQ
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN
A response to this toast, such as it de-
serves, would require more time than we
can afford on this festive occasion, there.
fore ! will reply very briefly. Memphis
in Egyptian, means "GOOd abOde;n or,
"the abode of the Good one," and the
ancient city of that name was so situa-
ted as to command the entire inland
trade Of the river Nile, and when we
look at the great natural commercial
position of our Memphis, we feel that
she should control the larger portion o
the trade OF this mighty river at least,
as well as that Of its tributaries. But a
few years since this city was village,
inhabited by Indians and a few white
people, and to-day it is the largest
inland cotton market in this country, II
not in the world, selling annually about
half million bales, and does more bust
ness for its proportion than any com
mercial city ia the United States. With
its numerous railroads, built and piO-
jected, connecting with all parts Of this
country, from the Atlantic to the Pacific
oceans, and the hundreds Of steamboats,
plying to and from it, bearing on the
bosom of this finland sea" the mighty
Mississippi river, the products of this
alluvial and fertile valley, connecting
with ships that navigate the seas Of Eu-
rope, as well as the Asiatic seas, can we
arrive at any other conclusion than that
Memphis is to be one of the greatest
marts of this cOuntry2 The
policy pursued by our cotton factors in
permitting buyers to select from their
tables such grades as suit the wants
of the spinners, has built up a le-
Ultimate trade, not only with the man
Of this country but with those
Of Europe; hence the orders for cotton
come to Us from all parts Of Great Brit
ain, SIS well as the continent, all testify
ing to its superiority. Foreign coun-
tries are begging US to open and
build up a direct trade, and means
are being developed to bring
this about Of such character as to ere
ate revolution in this valley. Under
the supervision OF the Mississippi Valley
society Of London, a
branch of which is established in this
city, a company is being organized to
construct vessels for passing over the bar
at the BaliZe, each vessel 10 carry ten
thousand bales Of cotton on sixteen feet
of water, connecting with steamboats,
and barges plying on this river; and as
this is the head of uninterrupted navi-
CATION, when this is done, you will see
the railroads, instead OF carry
ing cotton and other products
from us, bringing them to US
because Of the cheap transportation.
France has recently established a syn
dictate for the promotion of direct trade,
and invited our chamber of commerce
to unite and cooperate with it in OPEN
ing up q trade mutually advantageous
TO both countries. have in nay posses
sion an invoice OF q shipment of goods
from Treste, Austria. Build a railway
10 connect with the Southern Pacific
and with Kansas City, and the
of trade will astOnish
sven the most sanguine. Our
eity is rapidly acquiring q fame
abroad, and becoming more favOrably
known throughout this country. Let Us
invite "OId Scotland" to come and trade
With US, and we will deal fairly with
you. Our merchants are honorable, our
aides as fair as the Highland Marys,'
md our men brave, like the Wallaees
md Bruces. We will look to the future
With bright anticipations Of the success
ul career Of our beloved city. Its recu-
Oerative powers are - wonderful that
neither scourges, nor panics, nor
adversities, nor calamities of any
character can check its onward and
upward march to greatness. 1t is des-
tined to become a great Lighthouse of
civil and religious liberty.
See the silver lining to the cloud; the
sunset in gold, the stars as briiliants,
emblems Of what Memphis is yet to be-
come.
Then shout the glad tidings and let us all sing,
y Memphis is queen and cotton is king;
Bale through bale,
Gloria in ErceLSls
= 'eThe Ladies, God Bless Them" Music,
'Ye Merry Maids" By Prof J. Ernest Per-
ing. Response by f. 5. Davis, Esq.
Mr.. f. s, Davis said:
GENTLEMEN-IncOmp as l am, it
Affords me genuine pleasure to raise my
voice for the better part of man. Lords
If creation though we style ourselves,
who Of US is not the voluntary slave Of
ovely woman? Whether she be wife
)r sweetheart it is all the same, and
scarcely less tender are the ties that
bind us to mother and daughter. 1t is
ny pleasure, sir, to be able to speak
If woman in her every relation
With man; to bear testimony to her
owe, her endurance, her heroism, and
% acknowledge her influences. With
he same zeal that she participates in
,ur joys, she sympathizes in our sorrows.
{ is woman, sir, who fires the ambition
# our youth. counsels and assists us in
he responsibilities Of mAturer years, and
Oftens the shadows of the winter of our
ives. To lovely woman we all bend the
rnee and offer homage in common. As
Walter Scott whom all ScOtchmen de-
light TO honor, said of love:
aShe rules alike
Show me the community of which
Voman is not an influential part, and
III show you the abodes of barbarism.
'ince Adam lost in Paradise that rib
which none of US have missed), woman
as been the great civilizer of the human
ace. To her We owe everything which
levates and enobles mankind. But
voTds of mine, Mr.. Chairman, are uD-
quail to the task imposed upon me.
Brighter and clearer than the sparkling
quid in which the gentleman has
lodged her, is the pure soul OF heavens
est gift to man. Aad OF woman's love
What tribute can l offer that, more elO-
uent than the words Of Erin's sweetest
ard tine contemporary of Scott:
40, life to come, if in thy sphere.
Love, woman's love, our heaven might be,
Who would not cen foregO ii here,
To taste il there-eteTnally ."
Woman, sir, hes been the theme of
very poet:
"sirst OF your kind, society divine,
TIL visit thus my nights for you reserved,
md mount my soaring soul TO thoughts Ike
yours"
Thus the impsssiOned soul of the au-
nor of 1.-THE Seasons" found vent when
by the maids Of Athens.
In conclusion, let me quote from the
anne Obscure verse-maker, who, il not
! lawyer, should have been:
Fee simple and a simple fee,
And all the fees In tail
Are Bothlng when compared to thee,
Thou best Of fees-fe-male.'
). "rhe Press" Response by i.
II the evening Ledger.
Mr.. Mathes said he was a lit
lie surprised at being called upon
It that late hour, a. he had
bought an eloquent young gentleman
vas to respond. But he had hoped
way, and the responsibility was LETT to
Tim, He was not charged, and hence
Tot prepared, to make speech. From
be number Of the press members pres
mt he had no idea but what
he press would next morning speak for
tself in grammatical and elegantly writ
en- reports. The gentlemen reporting
he meeting meTited the position. They