The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-16

Democrats. . Not single colored
man was permitted to vote at the recent
election. They were as completely dis
franchised as though they had never had
the privilege OF citizenship conferred upon
them"
So, upon a careful reading of all the
facts, this "black and damnable" govern
eminent was not NEGRO government"
after all, but "white mans true blue,
Democratic affair by large majority; and
that the issuance of this blood red circular,
by anonymous Democrats must have been
merely the wicked vaporings Of depraved
imaginations.
But why do we in Tennessee feel called
upon TO animadyert upon this incident i'm
Mississippi? answer, because we are as
directly interested in the matter MS are the
people. OF that State. II citizens whom
the constitution is presumed to protect,
may, by threats, violence intimidations,
fraudulent counts and other vicious means,
be deprived with impunity Of their legal
rights under our laws why may not
the same be done in other places?
And although we are officially informed
that our Democratic President Of the
United States, who poses upon the political
platform that public office is a public
trust, }" and who pirates against the per
nicious activity" and offensive partizan-
ship" of his oilice-holders, has been noti-
fed that some of his own appointees were
actively engaged in the atrocous work at
jackson, yet have not been able 10 find
IN any OF his published acts any published
protests against their official wickedness.
You do well. therefore, 10 assemble and
temperately, yet earnestly, present to the
world your protest against this Demo
cratic crimc-a crime than which there is
none creator known 10 our laws and con-
| sutution. You have, too, a sufficient Dem
ocratic Endorsement for your course; for,
with all their malodorous practices. the de-
cency Of the party cannot agree. There
is limit thank God, beyond which the
better element will not go. "Thc noblest
Roman OF them all, T" ex-senator Thurman,
in prosecuting ballot-box suffers recently,
in Ohio, said: 81 would be ashamed TO
call myself q Democrat II | did not
deprecate the commission OF such crimes"
For more than 100 years IL has been the
boast OF this nation that We have 'gov-
eminent OF the people, by the people, for
the people," We have held ourselves up
TO ioreign nations rs such, have taught the
doctrine 10 our children and have embodied
II in our laws. II, therefore, crimes like
this can be committed with impunity, our
boosted government will soon be ended.
10, also, has the cold Reliable" MEMPHIS
APPEAL, under its late reorganization, be-
come-thanks TO its honorable and pro-
greSsiye ownership--the defender OF equal
political rights for all classes and
the enemy especially OF the late pro-
diglous political crimes in jackson, Miss.
a oil 10, n
gress. Mississippi thirty years ago, DOM
mated by the Jefferson Davis idea of
State sovereignty" felt herself aloof and
hardly part OF the United States. Old
things have passed away. She is today
through the power OF war, steel rails,
steam and electricity, standing beneath
the broad and glimmering glare Of ca, 0O0,-
600 at homo and 500, 900 abroad who
aro either already imbued with, or arr
rapidly imbibing the spirit Of progress and
the great brotherhood OF man. Both
bourbon Mississippi and the solid south"
may, for time, kick against the pricks,"
but they are marked for education, for
protection, and for the equal rights polite
ally OF every citizen within their borders.
Why not9
Thin prejudices can not live always,
and prejudice alone now sustains the
strained relations in our politics. Why,
even now. some OF our most rabid bour-
bons "hob-nob" at the polls with the col
ored people. Witness the prohibition"
election recently held In Atlanta. Go not
even 80 far from home. We have all seen
in our own Memphis elections, colonel
men and white women solicitors together
at the polls for votes. have seen il in
my own Fourth ward and with my own
eyes.
Go on, therefore. In the Just demands
for your political rights. Our constitution
knows no color, caste or creed. BE sober,
be industrious, be careful; wrong nobody;
secure homes for your wives and children
these characteristics will aid you greatly
in securing recognition asgood and worthy ]
citizens Of this grand Nation, whose God Is
the Lord. VA. II. MooRK.
Memphis, Feb. 10, 1888.