Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-04-17
SAN FRANCISCO ALARMED.


Communism Rampant I'm the City
A Most Formidable CODspiraGy-A
heWspaper's Cry of "HAiti"
The San Francisco Alta. Cali
fornia says:
That a most foul and formidable
conspiracy exists in this city can
not be denied. The objects Of the
conspirators is publicly proclaimed,
which aims at no less than the SUBJ
version of all law, the overthrow of
the civil authorities and the over
turning of republican government.
In its place is to be established
mob law, administered by a coterie
Of uuscrupulous rulfians, devoid of
character, principle and even com
mon decency. The leader of the
conspirators exercises the same con-
troll over his small band of followers
as dh the driver over his band of
slaves in the olden time. He har-
angues his mob gatherings in one
continued storm of vulgar BIAS
phemy, billingsgate and brutal
threats against law, order, life and
property. Prominent citizens who
are pioneers in this State, and by
their energy, skill and labor have
bnilt for themselves homes, reared
families and developed the resources
of the State, are openly proclaimed
to be thieves, plunderer8 and capi-
talists, and by name are pointed
out as objects of attack and outrage
by the unthinking mob. The right
Of inAicting the death penalty on
the citizen is openly asserted with
out the intervention of trial or an
opportunity for defense, or for ex-
ercising the right of thinking,
speaking or voting for himself, ac-
cording to the dictates of his own
conscience. The legislature, as
body, is publicly reyilcd; the female
population of the capital of the
State pronounced prostitutes; the
courts, branded as corrupt and pur-
chasRble, and every man not con-
CURING In SUCH sentiments declared
0 thief, q rObbeF, and a public ene-
my. Free speech is stricken down
in open day. and no public meeting
is permitted to be held by citizens
to eonsulto on public affairs without
the interference Of this band of au-
dacious conspirators. The press of
ths entire State is alleged to be
mercensFy, and that the editors
support their papers by the money
stolen for that purpose. The grand
jury are defed and pronounced per-
jurers, judges, by name, are held
up to public ridicqie aua contempt.
Men ia all parts Of the city are
being enrolled in clubs and military
companies, with open threats to
burn the city, murder the citizens
and revoIuttoRige the State. The
laws and treaties eF the United
States, which guarantee protection
to all residents, native or foreign.
are denounced, and threats to set
them AZ defiance publicly asserted.
Men of capital arc held up to scorn
aud animadyersiot, whose property
is Justly subject to s,izdTe and
division by the communists without
law or any restraint.
we appeal to the good sense Of
all decent, lawrabiding, liberty-lov-
ing citizens of the United States,
whether foreign or native born, to
step to the front and show these
blood d-thirsty wratcbes that there
will be no more triiiing, no more
cringing Eycophancy tolerated or
brooked. That the good name Of
this city, and the honor of the citi-
zens, and the rights of the people1
must be protected at any cost. That |
the city officials are expected, as
they get well paid, to do their whole
duty, as their oath Of Office requires,
and see that all breaches Of the law
against incendiar} speaking be pro-
perly prosecuted. That if they |
shirk the responsibility, and cover
before the mob, it is expected that
they will at once resign and give
place to others who will not fear to
do their duty.
Delay now is dangerous, II The |
people repose in fancied security, |
and Wsit until the eonspirators are
ready to strike the threatened blow |
without taking steps for the public
safety or self-protection, they will |
End when their houses are in flames
and this infuriated mob Of blood.
tubs, robbers and murderers have
them under their feet, that they
have lost all that is dear TO the citl. |