The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-12
MoMUs II.

good Mempbians greeting hcralds the APP
proach of His Merry Majesty, Momus the
Second. who has signifcd his intention Of
setting foot on these shores and assuming
dominion over this empire Monday, Fobrua-
iy Ii, tho eve OF the day whereon men are
wont to bid farewell, In festive ceremonies,
TO tine lusts of the flesh. II Is well that the
people give him royal welcome. For full sew
en- long years hatk his advent been awaited.
His predecessor. Of fond memory, made alb
dication after an unavailmg struggle against
untoward conditions. In 1877 and 1878 the
reign of the King reached the &C no Of splen-
dor and the Memphi dill brave things. Then
came the plague, and tho wreath ofcyprcss
was theonly garland the Intel knew. In 1881
Menus returned in blaze OF gloty, but there
was yet too much Of shadow and OF
sorrow In tho land. Too many dear
faces were missing from bis retnue.
II Penseroso and Touchstonc may not sit at
the same table. We make but III jests when
the heart is sad and the eyes are wet. The
old King abandoned histhrone. His scepter
could be welded only over happy people.
But Time is a healer and comforter. IL is
now ten years since the bitter days when the
Fever challenged Menus and overcame him,
leaving heritage OF woe. The people set to
work, with rare heroism. patient devotion
and an unexampled enterprise TO restore the
kingdom, and now, after so long an interval,
they proclaim themselves ready 10 receive
the Second Monius whose title none will
question and whose dominion none will
dispute.
And what is the state OF the Nngdom2
The inquiring ministers OF His Majesty must
be satisfied. The answer will give zest 10 the
reyeis. The population has increased two
fold The new King may enter tho city from
eleven points OF the compass by river or rail.
Commerce has marvelously increased. All
manner OF business has developed inagnG-
Gently. Palatial exchanges have been built
and many beautiful homes erected. Debts
have been paid aud in the municipal treas.
ury there is money TO spare. The State
socks our banks for loans, and tho Rialio Is
crowded with merchant princes full of the
elation that comes OF prosperity. In oil the
wide reaches OF the sunny Southern land
Momns will find no city with better reason
to be merry. The people have been mindful
Of their advantages aud opportunities, and,
having learned TO labor and 10 wait, are
building up the city in the wisest way. This
His Majesty will be pleased 10 recognize par
ticularly. There has been no unseemly
'rumpeting Of municipal prowess. no en-
ployment of hot-house methods to force the
general growth, no mcrctricious devices to
peg up credit Tho development, splendid
ns It has been, Is rs natural rs that OF many
other cities has been abnormal and unsub.
stautial. II His Majesty desire simple
gauge. he has but 10 call for the schedule ol
yearly cotton receipts 10 perceive upon what
a firm basis rests the oity's prosperity. I,
would, indeed, have been fitting to tender
him. in further evidence Of the felicitous
condition Of his subjects, the record OF the
passage Of the bridge bill, but lac can he given
gratifying assurances on that score. Itmighi
be well, however 10 enlist his support OF the
enterprise on the general principle that We
cannot have too much 81 gool thing. II
he would but kindly decree that Afr. Van
Benthuysen should be immurcd In the deep
est dungeon OF the castle for tho space
Of thirty days, lac might facilitate matter, 10
such degree that two years hence he could
enter the city over grand trans-river high.
way, in consideration Of which service the
people wouid-bc glad to twine Il thick with
roses by way OF showing their appreciation
And II His Majesty would take advantage Of
some lull In tho festivities that shall SC
brilliantly signalizo his inductiOn--s
quarter Of an hour between ball and ban
quet--to deliver u few remarks In a manda
tory spirit upon the best method Of street
extension and maintenance. he would con.
fer boon. We might further suggest the
propriety Of something In the way Of special
reprimand TO the old street railway com
pany for tho disposition II shows TO haraS
the public, but as he would probably plead
an inability 10 accomplish miracles, Il would
scarcely be worth while. Still the existence
OF this evil will have It's use, being relic Of
the ancient State His Majes,y's predecessor
knew. and emphasizing by contrast with
other things, how considerable has been the
general progress.
Our friends Of the pulpit like not the mac
pnnks OF Menus aud his Court They mis-
take the import Of Il all. The devil work,
In darkness aud under cloak. The Prince o
Merrimcnt aud the Prince Of Evil are foes
There be masks aud masks. True, the devi
oft wears a domino, and sometimes dotl
assume noble shape" yea, don the yer,
garb OF au angel, but shall we for tina
rcason forwear dominocsg shaliwo suppress
our orchesiras because the violin was once
thing accurscdl There Is a wide difference
between the humor Of Mephistopheles ant
the antic disposition OF Comus aud Menus
The world Is not wlekedly disposed when 4
Il gay. Yorick was not cyil-mindcd. Scanda
breeds most fast IN dull communities. Tn,
moral health Of society depends upon th'
maintenance Of amusoments. All work an,
no play u as liable 10 make Jack bad DO,
as dull one. There Is aud there will al
ways he too much sorrow In the world an,
the church will never be less sought for II
ministntIons and consolatory offices be
cause OF Momua For who'll
community 10 go upon frollc Is for th
members Of that community 10 grow les
selfish. The attritlon o. good.fellowship q
improving The Spaniard has too man,
holidays, the American too few. The ten
dency among business incn In this countr,
has been 10 ovcrapplloaiion and indifference
TO ncighboriy and social obligations. Lat
tcrly contrary tendency has been dcvel
opcd. Instead Of docking by themselves, a
. | the Immortal DundrcAry would aav Amcri