The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-05-13
Are We 10 Have an Empire.
Msssrs. Editors Of the Western wOrldi


BUFFALO, N Y, May II, 1869 Sit
ting in my office, with the Empire
State at my back, copy Of the I'm
peridlist on my desk, imperial, or king
ly dominions in my front, and ADDRESS
ing you in the Empire City OF the re
public, l ask the question, care Va
TO Have an Empire" This is n ques
ton which strikes home TO every
American citizen. Before proceeding
further, permit me TO add, en- pdssdnt
that do not put this interIoga Tory "a
the readers in any partisan sense
heaven forbid II is quee ion OF Too
much gravity; II Is question which
rises supremely above all politics; II is
question with which patriots and
statesmen only should deal. Bstidts,
i am aware, as faithful reader OF
your most excellent journal, that all
politics are strictly aud properly ex-
cluded from its well.filled columns.
OF myself, | may remark that l am
not a politician in any sense OF the
word. Having lost all hope in either
OF the great parties Democratic or
Republican, TO save our gradually
succumbing liberties, | have not cast
a ballot for President in many yearH,
aud perhaps may never do so again.
Now, gentlemen, without knowing
whether these lines will ever find ven
tilation through your illuminated col
umua or not, proceed to Ie,terate the
interrogatoIy; Are we to have an
empire7" This question is growing
more and more practical with every
month and year Of age added 10 the
life OF the Republic. The refitc ing
potion OF the American psople are to-
day bestowing upon ii more or less OF
their dispaasior ate consideration, their
JUDGMENT, unbiased by party Ireju-
dice. This ia but right, no matter
what their action in the future may
be. Let them look over the whole
situation OF our couutty-let them con.
trast II with the annals of the past, and
with the rise, decay and final over
throw OF other great nationalities; LEI
them honestly inquire wherein we
poesess superior intelligence or virtue
over other Christian and enlightened
naiione, aud wherein we may, as &
nation, hope TO escRue the commoD
dancers aud lates which have envt
roned other great peoples who have
but preceded us in the annals OF time
The American people never dc
things by halves. To us3 homely
and country tisure, they are a whole
hog people. Ones got them started
and Ia this ago ot S cam aud electiici
", tits pretty diflicnlt tltll what they
will do, or to Whist extrsmities they
will push their Goings.
In the Empire City e this Empire
Stste you alEoady have paper will
the somewhat ominous--And, to IN!
.eyee, ugly cut Of crown a! It's head
Ii has teen Tumored hereabouts-
with how much truth l am not abl,
TO sAv--that President Grant, SeCre
tary B,rie, their friends and map,
others Of great wealth and influence
amonPst wnom are nearly ell tn
large bondholders, both countenanc
and pay their money generously I
sustain this journal. OF their right {
do 60 in free country l do not com
plain; but, sirp, may not their promp
action in this matter alone be taken a
one Of the signs OF the times that vi
are drifting into empire?
Now, while, as an American citizen
am lover Of the institutions Of m
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