Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1874-08-28
TIE mEErrNG ro.NIGHr.

II is safe to assert that seldom in the
history Of Tennessee has there occurred
an event that SO thoroughly aroused
the public as the massacre of the ne
gro prisoners Of the Trenton jail by an
armed band Of masked murderers.
From the governor down 10 the hum
blest citizen it has been felt as the
elimination, the one dreadful and aw-
ful horror that more than all others
should arouse every class from in
difference to state Of things that, as
we hinted in the APPEAL of Wednes-
day, has been growing from bad to worse
ever since the Radical party obtained
possession Of the negro, soul and body.
The result Of the distressing acts Of
reconstruction and of the fomentings of
civil broil and disturbance by Radical
headers, it is yet to be deplored, to be
mOurned over, and to be condemned by
every man who is not completely taken
Off his feet by the memory of all We have
been called upon to endure. Here in
Tennessee, which for four years has been
under the control of the white Iaee, We
have not been exempt from
the efforts OF incendiary malcontents
to excite trouble and SOW the seeds Of
enmity and perpetuate hatred in the
black mans breast against US. Even
in Memphis, taking advantage of the
Ieniency Of the press, Radical leaders in
the late canvass made ineendiary
sp eeches, denouncing the whites and
reatening punishments they could /
not, happily for US, en-
force, At Somerville and other parts
Of the State threats were made by the I
negroes, and a general apprehension
was excited Of sn indiscriminste |
slaughter OF the whites. Out Of /
this, and the meeting and drill |
ing of armed bands Of negroes, has
grown the cummOtion that for four /
weeks has kept Us in Memphis in
chronic ferment, apprehensive that even
the worst fears might find realization.
The Gibson county horror is the end Of
il all. It is the closing scene in a trag-
edy whose acts have found stage in
Tennessee, Mississippi, South and North
Carolina aud Kentucky, and if we count
the deaths aud can imagine the sickeL-
log details. IL is a fitting close to sents
OF scenes such as have filed US and fill
the people Of Memphis with apprehen-
sions for the future OF our country. 1t
is su act that well might call the people
of Memphis, the first commercial city
OF Tennessee, together to protest their
Of 4, of the principal actors
therein, and Of their disapproval
OF no5 oaly this, but any acts
ordinary or extraordinary that
override the law, aud Of all who, in
defiance Of every sentiment We hold
dear; in defiance Of the religion Of
pesea, Of individual liberty and private
rights, Of the peace and dignity OF
49, ...,.- lie .rfu,aa of suab ]
fearful magnitude. The people of Mem
shis stand aghast; they are shocked;
they are filled with shame aud desire to
relieve themselves Of any possible charge :
OF completely, collusiOn, conniv-
Gncs or Endorsement of the !
n utal massacre, aud to protest
% the civilized world that they repudi- Z
te the gross, the awful, the horrible !
ri, "a, aud the criminals, and that they /
Iesi., q to stand, with their fellow-eitizens I
fGih on county and all the counties Of /
he ; u te, unimpaired in the esteem Of
.tber r,st pies as lovers Of law and Of or
Ter. loyal 10 their State and its laws and
oval to the constitution and the repub-
Is. To this meeting al The Exposition
abiding to- uight let every man in
Iemphis 20, md let the resolutions be
. broad as OR views and purposes C
ne liberal, and the tone and temper :
IF all that is said be such as will give !
assurance to every man in and out OF I
that we understand and sp- 3
,reeiate the words aud guarantee OF the /,
Declaration Of Independence, to every '
citizen, Of his right to " life, liberty, I
and the pursuit OF happiness"