The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-07-26
MATTERS AT MEMPHIS.
The Situation from severe Practical
Standpoint.


Standpoint.
From the Memphis Appeal.
Let us look ut the situation Of affairs in
Memphis to-day straight in the face. Let
us look, il possible, beyond, and inquire
Of the future what more Of wreck and
ruin it has in store for us. The present
looks black, ugly and forbidding, made so
not so not so much by facts as by croak-
ers. The future seems to be surrounded
by lurid hue that dominates the fright
full yellow tint, the sign of horror, woe
and sorrow. The yellow fever, the first
case Of which was announced on the 9th,
now counts its sixteenth victim. It
counts more. 1t counts the present de.
struction OF the trade and industries Of
the community, and threatens the
property which represents the accu-
mutations OF labor OF the present and
preceding generations. The yellow fever
is in front OF us, but beyond It may easily
revealing the starving thousands who to-
day have no resource. Never was city
in so deplorable condition. Most Of her
leading men are absent. Ofall who under
other circumstances would be foremost as
leaders and advisers, but few are now here
to share the dangers and counsel the be-
wildered people what to do. Every man
has made provision for himself and those
dependent upon him, but there has not
been one word heard in behalf OF the
poor; no provision has been made for the
safety OF property, not one cent has been
subscribed TO maintain IN integrity that
once assailed by hunger will be found very
weak indeed. The city government is
powerless and helpless. It cannot use
one dollar Of the money in its treas
ury for the purpose Of contending
with the fever or succoring the poor
and needy, and it cannot levy tax for
that purpose, and il It could, could not
collect it. As for the county government,
It will take no thought concerning US, for
hit did it would result in nothing. The
State can contribute nothing for our bene-
fit; what the Federal government can 90
remains 10 be seen. Our condition is
seemingly without relief. The doctors are
ready for work, and many OF them are
sanguine that they are TO have plenty OF
it. We are in as bad condition as if the
sporadic cases had joined their forces to
make an epidemic. Trade until October,
perhaps November, has been as etfectually
killed as ii instead OF sixteen we had six
teen hundred cases. Those who left us
went under the spur OF the panic, most OF
those who remain have parted with that
sense OF security without which peace Of
mind or health are impossible. All along
our lines OF railroad the people are pre-.
pared to enforce quarantine, after their
own fashion, regardless OF the rules and
regulations OF the sanitary council OF the
Mississippi valley. They will cut of all
intercourse, and save the State Board OF
Health the expense and the people the
trouble OF medical examinations and
chemical tumigatiOn. Already boats have
refused to land at our wharf. In q few
days, when the crazed have become era
Lier, and the idiots more idiotic, we shall,
perhaps, find ourselves hemmed in liv.
ing hell, where to maintain order and
respect for life and property will be found
impossible save at the point OF the bayo.
net, We have been warned that some
towns will not wait for the declara.
ton OF epidemic by the Board OF
Health; that they have set their
own limit OF cases and will act
upon private advices. The declaration Of
epidemic may never come, notwithstand.
ing the predictions OF the over.sanguine
doctors; at present we are as far from 1t as
We were when Judge Ray died. But these
infatuated rural cousins OF ours care moth.
ing for rule or precedent. Supreme on
their own premises they are determined to
enjoy to the full the blessings OF a quar-.
antlne which could not prevent sixteen
cases OF yellow fever in Memphis. They
will not allow any one from the region
where the sporadic cases are increasing
to approach them; they will stop all in.
tercourse, cut Oft all trade, and perhaps
deny TO US even the dole OF charity,
They are the victims Of quarantine insani-
", forgetting that most Of them are as like.
ly to have sporadic cases as poor Memphis.
They are victims Of yellow fever quar-.
anttne insanity, and there is no knowing
what they may do next The railroad
people are our friends, but they cannot do
anything to help us that the Quarantinists
will not permit. But this is not all. Our
stocks OF groceries are very low. The
demand for them the past few weeks
has been without precedent. The Howard
Association has but few thousand dol
lars to begin operations with, and the
fund that remained over from last year
in the hands Of the trustees has almost
reached zero. The situation, it will thus
be seen, is full OF gloom, not merely on
account OF the presence OF yellow fever,
but because OF the long train Of evils It |
may bring whit Memphis is once more
sitting in the ashes OF woe and despair.
Out OF this condition there is but one
avenue-Aight The people must get
away from the yellow fever and the
doctors before an epidemic is declared. |
No one who has not had the yellow fever
should DO permitted to remain here.
Black as well as whites, whether thew will
or not should be forced into camps. 1t is
better to live, bearing the temporary In.
conveniences Of camps or neighborinp
cities than to drag out a miserable exist
ence here in daily dread, perhaps Ultimate.
lyto die like q dog; and il will be cheaper
TO sustain such camps than to pay the az.
penses Of thousands Of sick and il NAV be
the funeral expenses OF thousands az
dead. To accomplish so desirable and
6eneticent plan Of operations not a
moment should be los.