The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-04
To the People of shelby County,

For the past four weeks the columns Of
The Ardidnche have been filed with unjust
criticism and condemnation OF the Peoples
Reform Ticket and of the supporters
thereof upon the ground that their action
in boiling the Democratic nominations was
prejudicial to the material interest and
prosperity of Memphis and of Shelby
County. The treatment accorded 10 the
candidates and TO the motives actuating
the Reform party has been unfair, ungen-
erous and one-sded, and opportunity for
reply and defense has been denied them
by the public press.
All this was TO have been expected
small minds are incapable of entertaining
any but narrow views, and one does not
expect 10 gather grapes from thorns, or
figs from thistlcs." When, however, this
censor of the acts Of honorable and honest
men, which assumes the right TO dictate
what shall be the course pursued by each
and every Democrat in Shelby County,
when the self-appointed regulator OF So
ciety lends itself 10 the dissemination OF
the views and sentiments expressed in its
columns yesterday, il lays itself open TO
the criticism and condemnation IL has so
freely bestowed upon Others. In lurid
headlines II proclaims 10 the world in
effect that this community has retrogatcd
TO the bloody and tompcstuous days OF the
reconstruction period; in no hesitating or
uncertain terms, il calls upon the whites 10
arm themselves and prepare for the race
war;
Docs not every intelligent and obscryant
citizen of Shelby County know that this is
all mere political "bosh," which would be
really amusing were II not so mischioyous?
Is IL not n fact patent 10 all that the
negroes are now more quiet and peaceful,
even to the degree Of apathy, than they
have been during any election in many
years past2
DO not the negroes know too well the
folly Of provoking armed collisions with
the whites, which must inevitably result
! only in disaster TO themselves
Does The Irdidnchc for a moment sup
pose that such statements and such advice
10 the people can do anything but serious,
perhaps irreparable damage 10 the bust.
ness interests and material prosperity Of
| Memphis Docs foreign capital, seeking
for new fields Of investment How TO com.
munitics where life is not secure from
violence, and where property is not safe
from the inccndiary torch2 DO men,
when choosing homes select such localities
| TO put forth their efforts for fame and for
tune, 20 rear their children and 10 spend
their livcs2 II the statements made by
| The Avalanche are true, aud no sane man
in this community believes they are,
would IL not be the part Of the patriotic
and the true lover Of his city 10 pour oil
upon the troubled waters, TO preach peace
aud good will among men, rather than 20
do all in his power 10 foment discord aud
10 stir up striie7 Would any journal,
truly anxious for the welfare OF the com
muniiy, soil its columns by such head
lines as these: 1.-THE Conspiratos Want
TO Shoot Their Way Trough" "Gravos
Dug for Dusky Dupcs," and 70 Johnnie
Get Your Gun"
When, however, there IL no foundation
for the charge, when the negroes are more
than ordinarily quiet when the whole
machinery Of government Is in the hands
Of the Democrats, and when the great is
sue Of the campaign, for the first time In
/ twenty years, Is an economic, not sec.
| tional, question, then tho course Of The
| iudldHchs becomes not merely question
able, but ccnsurable in the highest dcgrccl
| The object OF the article is not difficult to
/ "
effort OF the machine" 10 drive tile bolt
ems back into the ranks, 20 solidiiy the
white vote in opposition to the negro vote,
and TO intimidate the latter by threats Of
| death aud destruction. That devotion 90
the selfish ambition Of few schcming
politicians could carry men to great lengths
Il well known; but that Il could utterly
bind them 20 the reckless folly Of such n
publication M this We hardly deemed pos.
sible. The prevalence Of q yellow fever
epidemic In our midst for months would
not have dono more damage 30 the busi-
mes. interests Of Memphis than has tho
publication Of this article. II will he
reproduced In hundreds OF neWspa.
pcn all over this country before the
9th Of November, and will doubtless
| cause the loss Of thousands Of votes 10
Cleveland aud Thurman in the doubtful
States, IN addition 10 the injury u will in.
ilict upon the good name ol our city. We
call upon all good aud upright men, ire
spcciiyo Of party aiiliation, a. come 10 the
polls upon the day Of the election, and by
their peaceful behavior show Ia the world
how great q wrong has been done 10 this
community by the inprudcnt and mis-.
chieyOus article In The Iualdnrhc.
| II anything were needed 10 demonstrate
90 the people 81 Shelby County the ncccs.
sity that called forth the Peoples Reform
tickle, and 10 Justify the position now held
by IL supporters, surely the incorporate
headlines and the anger exciting wood
cut at tho head Of this article In NE Ara.
ianrLs would furnish H. II IL now the
plain aud imperative duty Of all fair
minded men, irrespective 81 past political
ties, 10 come 20 the support Of tho candi.
dates Of the Peoples Reform ticket-a
ticket that stands Tor high principles and
clean political methods.
EXECUTIVE CoHlITEE
OF the Peoples Reform Ticket.
X. q. Bnows, Secretary.