The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-25
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
Mr.. n. q. Brown in His Own Defense

An article signed by the citizens OF Ger
mantown appears in your issue of October
"A, to which desire to reply. The au-
thors OF said article, referring to my card
in your Sundays issue, say it contains as
sertions (which though they may not be
malicious lies, are certainly untrue" The
assertions so characterized land for the
parliamentary manner in which error is
imputed to them, rather than falsity, l beg
to return my thanks, it being the only
courtesy received in Germantown for
which have to be gratefully are as follows:
l. That charge that Martin was being
urged on in his course by parties who did
not choose to appear openly in the matter,
2. That the gun used by Brett was n
Winchester rifle.
8. That Brett was disarmed by his
friends and secreted from the special con-
stable doputized by Squire Kimbrough
In refutation OF the first statement, the
defenders OF Germantown say THAT no
one urged, aided, or abetted anything he
MARTINI did and every one tried 10 quiet
him and prevent any insult being shown
the visitors"
can only say rs to this, that with the
exception OF a few young men, among
them A. G.. Kimbrough, DIR. Z. II. VIII
Jams and Julius Brett. saw no one at
tempting TO quiet Martin, while there
were at least twenty of the staid and solid
citizens OF Germantown who were pres
ent, and who made no effort TO prevent
the disturbance. | was, moreover, in-
formed by Mr.. Thompson and by sew
eral other old men, whose names do not
now recall, that in their opinion the whole
thing was planned and pre-arranged to
break up the speaking. Upon this my
opinion was based and. il il can be shown
that IL is erroneous. no one will be more
pleased TO know aud to acknowledge the
error than myself.
They further say: Julius Brett hadgone
TO the spot TO demonstrate with Martin,
and did do 50, and tried TO keep him from
abusing the negro until the negro called
Martin id s. of a b., then Brett lost
his temper, etc.
The above paragraph Is an entire mis-
statement OF the facts. From the time
Brett took hold OF Martin until Phillips
was driven out OF town, the negro never
exchanged a single word with Martin, and
when accused by Brett OF having cursed
his friend, denied absolutely having done
anything Of the kind. lie certainly did not
do so after Brett tried to paciiy Martin,
and had II from Brett himself, that he
had been told that the negro had cursed
| Martin.
Phillips is very quiet man, and am
informed by those who know him that he
never uses proilne language. Certainly he
has never uttered an oath since | have
known him, even while smariing under
the great outrage 10 which he was sub
jected.
Regarding the gun, Il is entirely proba-
bic that | was mistaken in the statement
that il was q Winchester, when, as u mat
ter Of fact, ''it was a little target gun OF
| thirty-two caliber." am not an expert
on guns Though il does strike me that
| thirty-two Is pretty large caliber for a
target gunl) and | willingly bow before
| the superior knowledge OF the good cti-
zens OF Germantown in regard TO such
\ things.
The third mistake with which am
| charged IL one for which | am in no man
ner responsible, having been informed by
| DIR. I. II. Williams, the special deputy,
| that lac had gone 10 arrest Brett and had
been refused admission 10 the room where
| lac was, by DIR. Yanccy. Williams asked
me II lac had the right TO break down the
door, and told him he had, rs he was
acting under q State warrant. ] was never
informed OF his failure 10 reveal the power
and authority under which he was acting.
was informed by A. q. kimbfough
that the mayor OF Germantown was stand
ing ON the depot platform at the time
Phillips was run out Of town, and Il does
seem strange 10 me that 40 many Of the
prominent citizens Of that town would see
such an outrage perpctrated and not be
able 10 prevent IT, Had they been as ac-
tive in attempting 10 prevent H. ~ they
are now In denying any responsibility
therefor ON the part OF the people, 1t would
never have occurred.
In conclusion | would like TO say, that
Il was rather surprise TO me 10 sec the
name Of D. Il. Martin heading the list Of
| the defenders OF Germantown, and con-
demning the statements in my card, when
only the day before the said Martin had
been In my Office, and, in the presence Of
Squire Brett, apologizcd most heartily for
his conduct on the previous saturday, CIV
ing ~ his excuse that he was 10 drunk AZ
TO be utterly unable 10 recall anything
that happened that day.
4. q. BnowS.
Memphis, October "a, 1883.