Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-07-13
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
The Blackberry Brigade.

The blackberry Brigade.
EDITORS APPEAL-At this period of
the year, when the crops and fruits of
the countrymen begin TO yield them a
return for their springs hard labor, their
quiet now begins to be disturbed by
providers under the cloak of berry hunt
ers. These thieves live upon the labor
ing and commercial interests of Mem
phis during winter and spring. Now
they are brosdspTesd over the country
on the blackberry hunt, which includes
vegetables, fruits, poultry, stock, etc.
They prey upon every unprotected or
chard, and live at the expense Of honest
workers. The pilfering herd is upon us.
We want prOteciOn-we need it. We
say to our country friends to unite and
protect each other by driving back these
bands of robbers into their Memphis
dens. Yesterday about noon we heard
some guns fired off very near the resi-
dence Of clever family, consisting of
mother and daughter. We were after
ward informed that it was the impudent
work of gang Of blackberry thieves. A
neighbOr has furnished this family with
a gun for protection, and we are glad to
believe they have the nerve to use it
when needed. They need bulldogs for
such trash. COUNTRYMAN.
Confidence Restored.
EDITORS APPEAL congratulate
both races on the events Of the Fourth
of July at the Fair grounds. The invi-
tAtjon on the part Of the blacks, and the
acceptance by the whites, did more to.
ward bringing the two races together
than any incident since the war. How
favOrably does this dem 0nstTation con-
trast with the Injurious and cOntempti-
bic chickering's and preju0ice5 that have
subsisted between the two races since
the war. There was time since the
late war between the States that the
colOred people placed no confidence in
the southern white people. In Tennes.
see this untutOred and unsuspecting race
were taught by designing men to look
with an eye of distrust upon any and
all acts and words Of the southern
whites, which were done or said, in re-
gard to what should be the course for
them to pursue. Men who came here
as adventures in search OF spoil and
plumber, found the blacks large voting
population without experience in
politics, and but few possessing
Intelligence to know how to properly
exercise the right of franchise which
their newly acquired freedom had
clothed them with. Their Treiudices
against the men who had once owned
them as slaves were played upon until
negro had but to be told that the candi.
date OF the Democratic party was
southern man in order to secure his vote
in opposition. Following close upon
this, the otfice-nunting adventures sed-
n,
the secret societies wnere the negroes
had been gulled and duped, they were
told that to vote against the Democratic
party was to vote in support of his race.
By these and other measures the color
line was drawn by thu negroes, and in
many counties in the State the white
were elected to office by
them. When the civil rights bill came
before congress, it caused the whites in
this and other States to draw the color |
line likewise, and the result was that
in the elections last August the Radi-
Gals, with the negro vote at their COM
mand, did not carry county in the |
State. In the elections last fall only |
eight Radicals were elected to the legis- |
lature. This, among other things, opened |
the eyes Ofthe colored people and showed |
them the folly of voting in elections on |
questions of color. 1t caused them to |
reflect, and the result has been that they |
are beginning to learn that man should |
be elevated To office because of his lner- |
Its and his competency to fill the office, |
instead of his color. They begin to look |
about them, and they see South Caroli- |
ma, Louisiana and Mississippi governed |
by the cOlOred people, who are under the |
influence VI adventurous white men who |
care for nothing except the offices and |
the opportunity the position gives them |
to steal and plumber. The negroes are
to realize the fact that if the |
white msn who owns property here leg
islates to the injury of the col.
Ored man and his property,
it must OF necessity iDjure the
white mans property and himself as
well; and seeing this, the negroes of
Tennessee are shaking Oft the bonds of
those who have politically held them in
bondage since the war, and they seem
to enter upon a new and a
higher career. Many Of their colored
leaders are men Of judgment, and are
teaching their people 10 stand aloof from
politics and political parties, and make
it a rule TO vote for men for office who
entertain principles which, if put In
practice in the government, will rebound
10 the good OF the great masses of the
people. This is sound advice; for no
aW can be constitutiOnally enacted in
Tennessee which can benefit the white
man, and at the same time injuTe the
negro. When the cOlOTed voters cut
Dose from the Radical white men who
rave held them bound TO do their bid
ling, and stand alCot from party organ.
cations, they at once hold the balance
If power in all elections. Then, occu-
,ying this position, each party
will strive to deserve their suffrage by
he advocacy of sound principles in the
canvass and faithfulness in keeping their
promises made to the people. In this
manner the cOlured voters can become
lower in the land, and power for good
It that. When q white or black Office
ecker approaches q colored man and
SKIS his suffrage because the color
inc should ba drawn, he should be
reated with contempt. But when he
approaches him in an Intelligent manner
nd states the principles he holds and
he measures he advocates, just as ne
you'd and does approach a white man,
is claims should be considered. When |
he colored people Of the south occupy
his position, they are in the line of pro-
ress, where they will understand the
rue principles which underlie republi-
an form of government. Drawing the