Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-07-14
TIRE COLOR-LIzE OBLIrERATED.

We make no apology for publishing
the letter Of Hezekiah Henley, presi-
dent of the Pole-Bearers, in an
other column. He seems thoroughly
imbued with the idea Of obliterating all
prejudices between the two races, and
thereby inaugurste that reciprocal feel
ing Of friendship, interest and depend
ence so essential to the prosperity of
both races. The individual editor of
the APPEAL who has sympathized with
and encouraged the recent movement
to allsy the prejudiees between the
whites and blacks, has never been
candidate for Office, and never will be
one for any position within the
gift of the people. He therefore has no
selfish motives to subserve i'll the course
he hes pursued. Our only object has
been to promote the interest Of both
white and black. We see no other way
of solving the problem as to the future
Of the races, save that Of peace
and tranquility. 1t has long
been manifest to Intelligent and i'm
partial Observers, that unless the color
line could be, to a certain extent, elimi-
mated from the political problem, mat
tiers in the south must go on from bad to
worse, and finally end in the financial
ruin of all alike. 1t is manifestly i'm
possible for good government to exist
and be maintained in any conamu-
nifty which nourishes among its men,
bers an uncompromising sntagonism
based upon the distinction Of race or
color. We can have no real prosperity
in Memphis, or anywhere in the south,
unless the interests of all classes are re-
spected. The blacks cannot be remand
ed to servitude; they cannot be stripped
of citizenship; they are and must re-
main emancipated and enfranchised.
Sound sense, TO say nothing of justice
and right, demands the frank and full
acceptance Of the situation, with all
this acceptance implies. We do not
mean to say that social usages shall
be remodeled to suit the new phase Of
sffairs, for.such change is neither nee
essary nor desirable; but we do say that
90 far as politics are concerned the bar
rier which divides the two races must
be permanently removed. The colored
people of Memphis have been the first
to make q patriotic effort for that pur-
pose, and we believe it is not only the
duty but to the interest Of the whites to
join heartily in the effort. In Tennessee
the whites have nothing to gain politi-
cslly, as they have an overwhelming
majority. But they gain peace, tran
quillity, and that prosperity which can
never be secured by an sntagonism Of
races. For the last ten years two par
ties hs We swayed the south, and these
parties tiercely separated by what may
be called the color-line. A few native
whites and small army of northern
carpetbaggers have acted with the
negroes, but in point Of numbers they
were lost sight Of and forgotten amid
the host whose movements they di-
rected and whose hostility they helped
to aggravate. Therefore to all intents
and purposes the contest has been be-
tween the whites and blacks, and there
seemed to be no prospect that either
would yield their prejudices, ard for the
greatest good Of all concerned, consent
10 cross the color-line. This hostility was
iDjuring both races, and If persisted in
would have eliminated in not and
bloOdshed. But fortunately the eounsels
Of wise men have prevailed, and better
feeling exists between the whites and
blacks. 1t is the duty of all gDod citi-
zens OF both races to encourage
this feeling. This We have done, and
will continue to do, not for party pur-
poses, but with the sole view Of promot-
ing the substantial interests Of the coun-
try. We hope Mr.. Henley will receive
that encouragement which his patriot
ism deserves. Read his letter. We be-
Iieve such meeting as he suggests will
forever Obliterate the color-line in Shell
by county, make but one party, whose
cardinal principle will be-honest men
in office.