Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-12-04
i IEMPHIS APPEAL
..TTRDAY. DECEMBER 4,.Is75.
THE IMPEACHMENT OF AMEs.

T.
There seems TO be a determination on
the part OF leading Democrats OF missile
tippi to impesch Ames. No less than
fifteen of the most influential organs Of
the party indoTse the movement, the
grounds for which were laid down in an
able article by the Jackson Clarion. The
Mississippi Central fully concus in the
sentiments expressed, and thinks the
inst duty of the Legislature should be to
institute q rigid examination into the
charges set forth by the Clarion and
the R1noJd Star says that ''if he is le-
Rslly improbable, il is not in the power
Of the Legislature to pardon his crimes,
and the law should be melted out to him
in all its unbending justice. The people
expect the legislature 70 deal with the
question In this light, and we believe
they will do it." The Eastern Argus
gives assurance that this will be done,
and that more than likely it will be
among the very fret acts Of the legis-
lsture. The West Point Advertiser
draws at least part OF the indict-
ment, asserting, as every body knows,
that: "With boasted Radical msjori-
ty OF fifty thousand, he has had quar-
tered on the people Of the State, in q
time Of peace, detschments of Federal
troops, 30 that be and his corrupt sstel-
Iites could the more surely and securely
plspt their heels on the necks Of help
less and PROSTATE people, and by the tes-
timony Of 6. W. Wells, United States
district attorney, he instigated the riot
In Warren county, in which number
Of deluded negroes lost their lives" Re
Numbering these things, and the long
list Of other equally fragrant outrages
npon the people, the Advertiser asks
very pertinently: "Why should not
even-handed justice be visited on his
lead, as well as the poorest and most
Rbject vagabond in the State? II the
object OF the punishment Of crime be to
deter its commission, then reason, COM
mon sense and humanity would say it Is
the more incumbent that criminals
in high places should be brought
10 speedy and impartial trial." JUS
tice," says the Meridian Homestead,
"to the outraged constitution which
Governor Ames swore to support, de-
mands it; justice to the people who
have achieved the overthrow Of the
most corrupt party that ever welded
the scepter Of State, demands it; JUS
tice, which demands that crime shsll be
punished, especially crimes common in
Office, demands it; and, above all, the
whole material and political prosperity
Of the State, present and TO come, de-
lnands it, and we cannot see how the
legislature can avoid it il the charges
are made against Governor Ames by
the whole Democratic and Conservative
press of the State, and by every speaker
on the hastings, from Mr.. Lamar down
TO the humblest and most unpretentious,
during the late canvass. II these charges
are false, then it will be the duty of the
Legislature to so proclaim to the world.
Justice TO Governor Ames, justice to
SdIb lno
Southern States, of those charges are
true he cannot hope TO escape exposure.
II he is guilty the positive evidence can
be produced against him. The sagacity
of our legislators will enable them to
enter upon this sacred duty to wronged
and much oppressed people with that
GOODNESS and charity which never de-
serts friends when they have beer I'M
fortunate, nor insults enemies when
they are weak. States, as well as indi-
vidusls, are lisbIe to injuries, which can
not be overlooked; it is therefore the
duty, as well as the interests, Of those
who assume the responsibility Of the
future government and well-being of
the commonwealth to discover, if posi-
BILE, where the natural law Of the State
has been violated, and if the chief mag
istrste has not observed the protecting
restraints let him have the wholesome
terror of the law held up for his con-
siderstion, SO that others who come after
him may not be led astray by his exam
pie"