The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-02

stand and misjudge them, they would de-
serve to be Kissed from this planet! There
is no race on earth base enough TO be the
associates of a people who would degrade
themselves Self-respect was all that was
left us by the cyclone OF war; and TO this
invincible sentiment is due that rapid rc-
cuperation which has astonishcd the
world. But, while we honor our past and
ever WILL We do accept, in good faith and
as final forever, the settlement OF its con-
trovcNies. Brethren, lam Mississippian,
a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a representa-
tive of the new generation that have come
on the scene, and declare to you that we
have accepted the settlement Of the war
with no expectation and no desire of ever
reopcning in any way the issues which it
closed.
10 you fear that the spirit Of secos-
sion still lives in the southern heart
forever. II was eXtinguished 10y the
storm of war. The political cult that
sustained il has been swept away 10y
the march Of events and the abolition OF
slavery destroyed the only conceivable oc-
casion Of its application. Instead OF the
spirit OF secession, sir, we behold the I'M
exampled spectacle OF a brave people who
staked and lost their all in q desperate
struggle for their convictions, and who
look without a blush upon their past,
grateful for the defeat that overwhelmed
their hopes!
DO YOU fear that we would restore the
old order OF things? You do not under
stand the south. A more ppposterous
dream never disturbed a patriots sleeping
or waking thoughts! AS soon, sir, expect
New England TO sell slaves again, rs she
once did, or burn witches at the stake.
The south could not, ii it would-aud |
gll heaven to witness that it would not,
ii II could roll the chariot OF its progress
backward n single day.
DO You insist that we shall adopt your
method OF dealing with our race problem
in the south? Mr.. President, there is no
problem before the American people morc
difficult TO solve than this one. Sir, 10 Is
easy 20 thCorize:. 20 construction ideal s0cia,
state; 10 create Utopia and I. oVlc 1t
with beings Of our Imagination but cir.
cumslmccs limit the application OF our
theories, and In our practical dealings with
men We are Obliged tn make large allow
anccs for their surroundings. We do rot
differ 81 much about the theory ol negro
elevation, but about the policy by which
il may he realized. We believe us firmly
as YOU do, that the negro Is a man, a re-
deemed man, O freeman; and, Gs such, Is
entitled 10 all thtt manhood cGnlcrs Per-
haps We have not done all that We might
have done to help our "brUthcr in black,
hut You will permit one whose father gave
the best wears Of his life 20 missionary
work among the negroes Of the south, and
who Is himself the firm friend Oi all wise
measures for their advancement, 10 tell
you that we have done more than YOU give
Us credit for. But, sir. We believe that II
is impracticahlc 10 ignore the differences
between the rpccs nj the south; that the
attempt To do Il will rctard the progress We
desire to promote.
Both religion and practical statesmen
ship will recognize the impossibility OF
forcing the processes Of social growth, and
will seek to organize the work on the lines
OF least resistance. trusting to the surr and
steady progress Of the age to realize our
largest hopes.
let Us, therefore,
our sangulnc heart hack from the fancy hud,
With uighuuuIlcs lu visionary wodA'
and sprinkle cool patience" ON "tho heat
and fame ol our enthusiasm, and Cod,
in his own good time, will color this prob.
lem right.
DO YOU fear that We are not loyal to the
Union? Since coming 10 this city have
! hcarl lhal southern mothers teach their
children 60 hate the Union. brand that
as q lie, born In hell, aud propagatcd only
| by is cmiFsarics II this Union were i'm.
| pcrilcd the south would leap ms one man
to H. defense. The survivors Of 100 fields
Of blood men who held NJ bay the count
less armies Of the north, and carried the
fortunes Of the Conicdency on their hay.
oncis for four mortal years would vie
with the foremost Of YOU 10 defend the
| banner with the starry sheen! Mr. Prpsi'
/ dent, both the north and the south have
/ yet Ia learn that the war did not merely
/ save the Union. II made the Union. An
eminent foreign publicist tells ~ truly
that, though there was q junction, then
mover was real union Of thc slave will
/ the free States" Another, one al Oui
own counirymen. vino anticipates poster
| It's IN his broad aud manly Interpretation
/ II our political history, tells us truly that
| while the abolition Of slavery was q great
achievement, the real issue involved IN on
struggle was whether the pacific principl,
| OF federalism should siand.as the perpetual
basis Of our government. Sir, the wal
settled that forever. IT, fierce frs Wcllc,
all parts vi this vast country into vita
| political homogcncity. IT, conyulsion
were the hirih.throcs Of true naiionn
life. II sunk the foundations Of the Unioi
out Of sight aud opened unlimited OppUr
tunitics Ia the constructive gcniusOi Amer
lean civilization. Sir, We may dillrr ~
the great historic questions Of the past, w
may differ on the questions NJ social pulity
We may differ on the questions oi poliiica
administration; but there are two quCs
tons about which the south and the noril
will never differ again. One II, that tai
Union Is one and indiss0lublc forever. W,
are
zone far ono land one heart one hand,
one nation Cyefinufui'
The other u that the name America
shall he the very synonym Of irccmcnl
| "Tnf d. the fnilnrfs ~ the time has come,
| And over nll the Cnilgf western home,
| Prom teh b. - the flowers ui freedom hloom''
Ilencciorth and forever, America am
freedom are the same.
Mr.. President, have thought Il appro
pirate 10 refer 10 the consensus Of con
sentative public opinion IN the south Of
the subjects which have affected our fcla
iions In the past, because firmly bclicy
that we only need 90 understand oacl
other better 20 love each other more.
will not deny that there still exist In III
south few who hold other sentiment,
There are extremists on both Sides Their
are irrcconcilablcs In the north as well q
In the south.
There arr good and true men who seen