The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-11-02
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uLET Us HIVE PE1CEn


Chief of Police developed the fact that a
few negro citizens have recently purchased
arms, whether with or without reference
TO the Presidential election, was not made
quito clear The two negro men examined,
J. d. jackson, an ex-policeman, and Hum
phrcys Tate, carpet cutter at Menkens,
denied that their purchase OF arms had
any significance in connection with
politics, the latter especially declaring
that he had merely bought rifle for the
protection OF his home and at the repeated
and urgent request OF his wife, who Is fire.
qucntly left alone when he Is detained Mt
the store or any OF the lodges Of which he
is member. We publish a report OF this
investigation in another place, and TO ii
direct the attention Of our readers. To
them we need hardly say that they need
not have any fears for the peace or
safety Of the city on Tuesday next.
The fact Of the vigilance manifested
| by tho Chief OF Police in this inyest-
cation Is rcassuring on that head. The
whole police force will be on duty on that
day and the Sheriff will be represented by
deputies at every polling place quite
strong enough in numbers for any omcr-
gcncy. But besides this, the negroes OF
Shelby county know very well that they
are as much concerned in maintaining and
olcying the laws rs the white people, and
they also know by what has recently
occurred in Crittcnden County Ar.
kansas, us well as from events
that are specially marked in the
history Of Memphis, that any At
tempt Mt riot would lee promptly met and
summarily suppressed TnE APPEAL has
not for these reasons paid much attention
TO the rumors that hayo found circulation
during the past four weeks as 10 white
as well rs black men arming with q view
or purpose 10 intimidato voters ON the day
Of election. Besides President llaldcn
and Sheriff McIendon, Judge Dulosc is
officially concerned In the maintenance
Of the public peace, and faithful rs
they have hitherto proven themselves,
they may bc relied upon to see
| 10 1t that the election is conducted
fairly and peacefully. Memphis Is the
center Of thriving country, It Is n
great commercial emporium whose pros
pcriiy depends upon lis good name. That
good name is best expressed In the main.
tcnancc OF the order and peace that has
generally characterized is people and
their conformity TO law. For this reason,
every citizen, black as well as white, Re-
publican as well as Democrat, should make
IL special duty today and every day
until ihr election is over 90 be an cx-
ample Of the scli.rcspcct that will assure
o. general respect Tor law and the prcscrya-
ton Of the public peace. The duty Of the
voter on election day is simple aud plain.
II does not involve dispute that might lead
10 personal difficulty and 80 TO riot. There
Is nothing In the mere deposit Of ballot
/ that invites to disorder, aud II our citizens
/ will content themselves with the orderly
performance Of that duty and not loiicr in
the vicinity Of the polling places, there will
not be- any food ior the noisy or elusive
partisanship that usually leads 10 trouble.
TuE ArrEAL councils ior the peace and
dignity Of the city aud Is quito sure that
Hidden, Mcl.cndon aud Judge Dullosc
arr ready 10 enforce the extreme penalties
I Of the law upon any aud all persons ar
rested In the act Of It's inirac,ion. We
must have peace a, any cost The safety
and welfare Of the city depend upon It,