The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-13

"Will the newspapers not let up on us,
and give us a chance TO build up our pri-
vate interests as peaceful, law-abiding citi-
zens?" was the question earnestly put by
T. +. Cassels to an APPEAL reporter yes
tcrday afternoon.
Ed Shaw came up at this juncture and
added, speaking TO Cassells; "Do you
know we have called n meeting for that
purpose, 10 be held Wednesday night?"
"For what purpose?" the reporter in
quired.
"ro ask to be let alone," said Shaw.
"Where is il TO be heidi"
"At Avery Chapel"
OWN reporters be welcomed"
ayes, indeed; not only are they well
come, but invited-but be certain TO report
the proceedings just rs they occur"
Cassells resumed his protest again as fol.
lows "Thc newspapers here are shouting
themselves hoarsc over negro dominationl'
There IL no such thing, or desire for IT, We
are not doing anything but minding our
own business and trying to make a living
and better our condition. ! never heard
| OF the negroes dominating over the white
| people, especially in this part OF the cOun-
! try. That they are all Republicans now Is
| the fault OF Democrats themselves. ] know
| that not many years ago fully 1900 negroes
| in this county attempted TO align them
selves with Democrats, and voted that
| ticket Some time aiterward, when Dem.
ocrutic primaries came along, those same
| negroes, as conscientious members OF that
| party, desired To vote. They were repulsed,
! the cry being no damned niger can vote
| in our primaries Now, what were those
negroes 10 do? Naturally they came back
into the Republican party, and not one OF
| them voted the Democratic ticket in the
recent election. Perhaps some negroes
did vote that way, but they were only the
lower order or purchasablc class"
"But why will the negroes, who aro
| being educated up 10 thinking point,
blndly follow white Republican leaders,
no matter how corrupt they are, and who
are openly against the South and Southern
| people, among whom the negro lives aud
from whom he obtains employment that
gives him food and aiment for himself
and lamilyP'
THAT is not the ease with all Of them,
rs showed in the ease OF those 1000 or
more who attempted TO find a home in the
Democratic party but were driven out.
They were honest IN their desire TO trans
fer their loyalty, prompted 10y a belief in
Democratic principles. expect they still
entertain them. Those who have remained
in the Republican party doubtless did 40
because OF equally honest motives and on
the same principle or plane OF rcasoning that
Democrats adopt. | am q Republican, and
regarded by the white Democrats a. an
obnoxious one; but | have all along
thought and acted for myself While
In the Legislature | frequently voted
against measures introduced and cOntendcd
for by my party, because / believed them
unwise, and therefore worked AMI voted
with Democrats. No, the negroes are be-
ginning 10 think and act for themselves,
aud great many OF them would be- found
In tho ranks Of Democracy, no doubt,
wcrc they given welcome. Since they
ara not, but ARE, ON the contrary, driven
ont save on election day, Who is To- blamcl
! Please Jet ~ alone, inr We do mol lcsory,
any such holding mp boiorc the wOrld.n