The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-08-11
"A yirsinaan who Onee Lived I'm MEM
! "a pnis HAS y word 90 Say

81 August g. 1870. )
Deaf Dispatch !: Many papers seem 70
think that Memphis requires me pur1nca-
t;nn Of fire TO rid the country Of the danger
threatenad each summer by the reappear-
an ee offeverthere. Some, indeed, are lust
eno,IeI,Z to recommend the offer OF an III.
IDENTITY. hut to all the theory Of quaran-
tines and disiniectants seems Intiie aho III
sufficient. ...,1
To any reasonable man the idea OF a tota'
destruction OF the great metropolis OF len.
nessee is not only childish ana iooilso, Dut
repulsive IN the extreme. i'm the nrst pace
the destruction Of property WonIo Dc '.-
mense, and In the second utterly unheces-
sary; and as for Naturalization, the Peo-
Die OF the country would be slow 10 COD
sent to such an imposition. AS the aoy-
eminent has assumed control! OF Inc hysie-
mic condition of the country, the appropria-
tion OF a few million dollars to this purpose
in putting Memphis in sanitary conol-
ton would be the best thing possible.
The sum would be too insignincant 10 DC
considered burden. and yet it: Wouio De o!
untold advantage. It was the misfortune OF
Memphis to sufftr from Radical mlsruie
after the war, so that an immense deDC De,
came settled upon her. This DEBT averaged
one hundred dollars to every inhaDllant-
white and black, man, woman, anu cuiiu.
Did Virginia possess debt In such proper
ton, she would owe upwards OF one nun
dred and fifty millions OF dollars. 10 vain
then would statesmen seek RELIEF from
McCulloch bill. Reputation would sweep
all before it, and in her ranks would be seen
not only the sainted" Massey, but many
a man that now brayely wrestlcs Tor the
honor OF the State and the rights CT credit
orS.
The Legislature OF Tennessee regarded
this accumulation Of debt as m act OF for
feiture on the part of the city OF its charter,
and cut the Gordian knot by establishing a
new government under the title OF Tax
ing District" This government has shared
the fate Of all repudiatng communities, and
now suffers from q lack Of credit to I'M
dertake the great works required Of it for
a true sanitary condition OF tie place. No
people ever had i more earnest wish to do
something than the Memphians have at pre-
sent; but it will take time for them to act,
whereas the danger is pressing and immi-
nent. What, then, is the use of paying
enormous sums for rations, and keeping
the country in an agony OF terror when q
remedy is close to hand?
Let the National Board Of Health advise
the loan OF four or five millions to Men,
phis, and we shall have no more yellow
fever. Tear up the decayed and putrefying
Nicholson pavement and put down stone.
This pavement is refuge for every disease.
In the winter the mud lies an inch upon its
surface, and it may be safely said that many
q portion of it never experiences cold I'M
der thirty-two degrees. There the germs
of fever have genial home, and after sleep
ing quietly the winter months are reused to
action by the hot rays OF July sun.
Next, do away with the cistcrns, filled
with water poisoned by INSCRIPTIONS from
the atmosphere, and by percoations from
The thousands of privy-vauts through the
city. Finally, in the place OF deadly sur
face drainage establish 4 fine sewerage.
Memphis is beautifully situated for cleanli-
ness, and money can give it to her without
much expenditure.
The people OF the whole country demand
that something be done for the Interests OF
trade and the general prosperity. The en-
lied people OF Memphis are willing to assist
as far as their money and energy will go.
It is more beautiful to save than destroy.
Let Memphis be saved, and, being saved,
the whole country will have reason TO re-
ioice in her prosperity and greatness.
Il MEMpHI- VIRGISIAN.