The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-07-29
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
"The Independents"
To the Editor OF The Appeal

To the Editor Of The Appeal
Sir-"Mr. Cannon and Mr.. Powell did
not go before the Democratic convention,
and hence are not pledged to its nominees
Their attack of independentism is execra-
BILE, under the circumstances. APPEAL
oath Of July. The foregoing article does
but scant justice to Messrs. Powell and
Cannon, two Of the most upright and in
corrupible magistrates the county ever
had, in denominating their attitude in the
canvass as an "attack OF independentism."
They are old-fashioned stagers, whose De-
mocracy never was tainted or suspected
but they do not propose TO carry polit-
cal collar into the Office Of justice
OF the peace, or on the bench oil
the county court, where, in dispensing
Justice, they have TO deal with ali parties
alike. They have been elected heretofore
without the fundamentally OF conven-
ton, and being opposed upon principle TO
drawing party lines for these inferior
offices, they preferred square race on
their merits rs men and magistrates. They
had n right TO do il, and il all the signs be
NOT deceptiyc, both will be triumphantly
elected. II is said that "mass meetings'
of Democrats were held in their respective
districts and their present opponents
were the regular nominees" This
is transparent false prctcnro
and no Democrat who is acquainted with
the methods of this movement can he de-
ceived by il. The question IL, were ma
iority of the Democratic voters of their ~.
spectivo districts represented in those so
called mass meetings" Many respectable
Democrats in Squire PowclPs district are
OF the opinion that only minority of the
Democrats in his district took part in the
alleged 'mass meeting" and the old war
horse did right in rcpudiating its action.
The writer il informed that in Squire Can.
mons district matters were even worse than
this. IL was known throughout the districts
that Squire Powell and Squire Cannon
would run, as they had heretofore DONE
before the people. But yet n so-calcd
"mass- meeting was drummcd up, which
by vote OF % for Squire llughoy and 6S
for Mr.. Prescott declared them the regu.
lar Democratic nominees, and In this way
il was proposed 10 turn these twocXccllcnt
magistrates out ON the commons and call
them TRAITORS because they have the
manhood 10 assert their rights as citizens.
In that so called mass injecting" eleven
voters deposited their ballots for Cannon,
though he was present protesting against
this action and proclaiming himself
n candidate before the people. But this
Is not all. II is claimed that there are In
Squire Capnon's district from 100 TO l7j
Democratic voters, aud the writer is in
formed that about ninety-eight Of these
Democratic voters believing that il would
be porilous step in a presidential year 10
draw party lines in these elections Tor JUS
tees and constablcs, actually signed u
written protest against a convention, and
the "mass" of the signcn refused 10 at
tend the mass meeting" Some II them,
however, were persuaded 10 do so, and
eleven Of these voted for Squire Can.
non. The object of this article is not 10
impugn the motives or injurc the prospects
OF either Of the persons Endorsed by said
so-called mass meetings" but Ia set the
old war horse Powell, and the young war
horse. Cannon, right before the public.
The writer il one OF those who believed |
then. with the gentlemen who signed that |
protest, that drawing the party lines In
these m or elections would effect serious.
Iy the success Of the county ticket for the
more important ones. liut lac IL free TO
confess, now, That his fears misled him
and that n sweeping victory awaits the |
Democratic county ticket DENooRAr.