The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-06

eating So, 4S3. 75."
This report shows some Of the purchases
made by the Legislature and charged TO
the State as follows
"Finest English tapestry brussels carpet
ing, English body brussels carpeting,
English velvet door mats, English thread
door mats, English oicloths, English vel
vet hassocks, finest French velvets, silk
damask, Irish linens, billiard tablecloths,
linen towels, wooden blankets, imported
Aannels, Marseiles quilts, ladies' hoods,
ribbons Of all qualities, pieces OF crepe,
scissors, skirt braids and pins, tooth
brushes, hooks and eyes, boulevard skirts,
bustles, chignons, palpitators, carriers,
chemises, parasols gold watches and
chains, rich sets of gold jewelry, diamond
rings, diamond pins, ivory handled knives
and for ks, pocket pistols, Websters I'M
abridged dictionary, fine mules, horses,
carriages, buggies and horses"
The public printing in one year cost
S450000; the amount in two years was
$4,000.
My object is 10 bring men who feel
keenly what they regard us denial Of the
Fifteenth Amendment to realize that there
is another side, and TO see that the people
of the South, in the struggle against negro
domination are simply struggling for life.
How are we seeking TO avert this dire
calamity in the south2 Are we the enc
mics OF the Fifteenth Amendment? mol
We realize TO the fullest extent that we
must reach free ballot and fair count,
and the negro must have all his political
rights. In the main the race relations
are amicable and well understood,
and when the negroes have intelli-
gence they appreciate the situation.
What are we in the South doing to relieve
the situation2 To be candid, we realize
that negro supremacy, or negro domina-
tion--the negroes in absolute control OF
the machinery Of governments the ruin
OF the white race in the States where il ex-
lists, and that the result would be an aban-
donment by the white people OF their
lands, their homes, giving up the States
thus dominated TO the negroes and such
whites as, for place and power, would
take part in the general wreck. am not
now speaking of Tennessee, for here, and,
indeed, in most Of the Southern States
there cannot be and will not be any at
tempt at negro supremacy. But there are
Southern States where il is within the
power OF the Republican party TO so organ
izo and shape the policy as to give the ne
gro absolute control over the white people.
Any policy that does this is cruel to both
races. Seeing that this can be done, there
Is in the South growing Tes,essness
among the white people. What the South
fears is that n line OF policy will be
adopted which, though not intended, will
lead directly to what we have already seen
lwhe-e negro domination did obtain. The
Republican party OF the North will admit,
take il, that while well-balanced South
ern man must accept in good faith the Fiji
teenth Amendment, he cannot waive the
right Of self defense in case Of life and
death.
II is the gravity OF facts that | am
dealing with. viii wise men in the Re-
publican party-men trained TO think
deeply and broadly-allow for q moment
the question OF party supremacy to con-
troll in a matter OF such transcendent in
tcrcst 10 one section OF the Union? / am
not now suggesting remedy, but point
to the advance which has been made in
the race relations, and TO the grand devel-
opment OF the negro, and mainly through
, the white people OF the South in opening
10 him and supporting with their money
} the schoolhouse in every part Of the
South.
In many parts OF the South, as in Ten.
nessee, there are many elevated men
among the negroes; and they are as ready
as the white man TO admit that in the ox.
treme South, where large communities OF
the race are practically without education
and without mental training. negro domi-
nation would be n curse to both races.
J A policy which must, in the estimation
Of tho Southern people, lead TO the SUI
premacy OF the colorcd race and its dom.
. ination. will unavodably lead to social dis.
; orders, eliminating in struggle between
the races for existence.
! Every commu nifty has In II disturbing
: and uncomfortable elements as for in
! stance-tho White Caps OF Illinois and
: Ohio, aud who can forcsee the end OF q
/ race disturbance, which means the abso
/ lutte supremacy OF the inferior over the su
perior2 | do not mean that the United
D States could not suppress IL, but ! mean e
! say that under such circumstances the pas
: siOns OF men would slowly and stubbornly
| yield 10 law, and society, during the sirug
a gle, would pay tho penalty OF their indis
D erection.
: Time, patience, iorbcarance and an in
5 tcrchange OF views on broader scale thar
o party strife, only will solve the trouble
{ which now conlronis us.
: Any attempted coercive policy. indeed
( any attempted interference without con
( sultation with the people most intercsic,
L and without their approval, will fail. Th'
= Southern people are friends Of tho negro
but negro domination they will resist IL
every way possible. What the Southern
:. white people can do in such IN cmcrgcncj
= they will have 10 determine when the hou
n comes.
i The thoughtful editor Of the Tolcd'
i Blade suggests a limitation on tho fran
b chse by the States. but this has It's din
Il culties not now necessary 10 discuss Cai
. and will craftsmanship court this dreadfu
Is issue2 is the question. do not msum,
II that il would bo the pleasure Of the public
@ men OF the Republican party 10 force thl
o white people Of the South into such
j. condition, but the danger lies In the nee
Is essary result OF an attempt, by party lcgis
n lation, TO take control OF our Southern
= elections in order 10 promptly, specdil,
10 and abruptly remedy what is regarded b,
It Republican leaders rs public wrong ans
10 party injustice. Pnrtisans who hsv
, been wrought up 10 high pitch are 20
~ competent 10 adyiso-at least, Southern
u Republican politicians are not the safes
IL advisers This may bc regarded as often
siye and in bad taste, but Il may be sai'
10 with much truth that paTtisans, heats'
,, parlisans, arc not safe advisers IN an,
y party where social or political revolution
81 are threatened. The Republican pari,
r has In Il IN the South great many bus
u ness men, bankers, merchants, manuinci
l. urcrs, mechanics and professional men
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