The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-11
A Card from w. A. Collier.


Sir-The funny reporter Of the Ledger Of
yesterday seems to have been in one OF his
happiest moods. He devoted over a col
umn to prohibition politics and Capt
Army Golfers connection with it. Hero
let me say TO him and Others that never
deserved the title OF captain; II so, did
not get it. Fourth corporal in the rear
ranks was my highest war title. l bad
hard time to get that, and | never heard
that this honor had been conferred upon
me until told SO by some friend aiding
DIR. Lindsey with his book over twenty
years after the war ended. If am 10 be
called by any title let it accord with facts
and history, as do not sail under false
titles or false colors.
/ know OF no prohibition ticket. The
question of prohibition was for the present
settled last summer, but to relieve the
anxiety OF the curious | will say that a
peoples reform ticket of good men on q
platform OF principles that will commend
the ticket to every good man who has the
interest OF Shelby county at heart, will be
put out for the Legislature and / believe
will be elected by large majority. II will
not be composed Of the gentlemen named
by the Ledger reporter, however.
He goes on TO say that he is prepared to
substantiate that | went before the BG
publican committee Of fifteen with pro, =
stion for legislative ticket. Proof is not
necessary until denied, and | never do
anything that ] am ashamed Of or deny
anything | do When / deny anything
it cannot be proven except by false wit
nesses.
was appointed on q committee with
other gentlemen, by citizens meeting,
to 90 before this Republican committee in
answer to a proposition for a ticket sub.
mitted by them, and was instructed by
this meeting, and on my own motion, to
so TO this committee and say TO them that
while 1t was not contemplated by them cd
us that the agreement rs to q Legislative,
ticket would in any way influence any onel
in his choice for Congress, Governor or
President, that under no circumstances
would we in any way support, cid or en-
courage q ticket with Col. l.. b..
Eaton's namo on it for Congress; that We
were solid for the reelection OF JIM
Phelan, and here permit me TO say, we ard
going 70 elect him, too. |, with this coml
mittee, performed this duty and retired id
a few moments. | will here state that did
communication was treated with mucld
more courtesy and respect by this Rcpub.
lican committee OF fifteen than were the
temperance resolutions by the late body
OF $50 delegates, some OF whom arrogaie
to themselves ali the Democracy OF shelby
county. This article goes on 10 say:
A a t,llfar 80 L. %. L.
crat," said gentleman upon whom the
Democratic party Of Shelby county has
hcaped official laurels, "and probably is.
but he Is not the kind OF a Democrat ad.
miro. His intense cnmity towards Scnn.
tor Harris has blinded him, and he would
sacrifice the party in second 10 secure
any end he has in view"
do not pretend" 10 be u Democrat.
am a Democrat and always cxpcc, TO be,
as the principles Of that party insure .ihc.
best government and greatest good to oilr'
entire people, but my Democracy does not
teach me TO prostitute theprinciplcs OF the
party TO individual purposes or promotion
Of individual interest. When il comes 10
honors between me and my party | think
] have rendered value received aud honors
are easy. The gentleman | quoted
says | am not the kind OF Dem.
ocrat he admires. This gentleman
IL perhaps one OF the self constitutcd
Democratic party Of Shelby county. II
50, | am glad he does not admire me; II |
aroused the admiration Of such an one
would lose my respect for myself. He IL
not alone In wanting admiration OF my
Democracy or Of me, but have learned 10
love myself Tor the enemies have made.
] have N, personal feeling against Senator
Harris, think him nice old gentleman
with many good traits, but also think that
the public have already cxacted too long
service Of him, and that he should
now DO permitted TO spend the
rest Of his declining years in peace and
quiet II, however, the people want him
20 again return 10 the Senate he should
consider their claims-all want Is 10 let
the people have chance 10 say, and not
let one hundred men elected without
having the senatorial question before them,
undertake 10 bind tho entire party of
Shelby county. Here permit me 10 say
that the reason the senatorial question
was no, made an issue at the primaries,
il that the Atkins men were assured by
a friend OF minc and who is also friend
Of Senator Harris, and now on
the legislative ticket, that Senator Harris
friends did not want n iactiona fight at
thc primaries on this question, but only
wanted good men nominated and that
this question would be rclcgaicd TO tie
people TO be settled by them on the 9th Of
November. Resting on this assurance and
knowing or believing and being willi.r-~s.
abide the choice OF the people, the Atkins
men made no fight and acquicsccd in this
proposition. Which Is Democratic and
who feared the pcople7
Now, In conclusion, let me say that tho
temperance resolutions presented 20 tho
late Democratic convention were PREPARED
by one Of the best and most active friends
OF senator Harris, and were not prepared
or introduced ~ hrcbrand or because tho
convention did not 90 10 suit us on tho
senatorial question, ~ 20 often falsely said,
ior the reasons that when these resofu,ions
were written and handed 10 the chairman
Of tho convention thcanli-lIarfis men were
ihcn resting on the above assurance given
and believed that this question would loo
rclogalcd TO the people. Tho anu.Ilarris
mon, or Atkins men, were willing 10 trust
the people and abide their choice, but this
opportunity was denied them.
w. A. COLLIER.
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