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


sire for self-government, how Il caused the
organization of the State of Franklin, how
this most natural Of American aspirations
was retarded, the embarrassments and com
promises, finally the territorial organization
aud admission TO the Union. Meantime the
author does not neglect in the consideration
of the political vicissitudes TO which
the pioneers were subjected, to tell
us of their personal hardships. The Indians
were nowhere more bloodthinty and re-
vengeful than in Tennessee and II Is in de-
scribing the fight for life made by the settlers
against the red men, both in East Tennessee
and on the Cumberland that Mr. Phelan
does his very best work, for IL is here that he
fndsopportunity to glorify Sewer and Rober-
son and Shelby and their comrades Incident
ally he gives us n description Of the battle of
Kings Mountain, by many thought to have
been the turning point of the Revolutionary
War, and so graphic is his pen, and
so triumphant the victory, that one
cannot fail TO concede the nobility OF the
men who laid the foundations Of the "Vol-
unteor State" But as Mr. Pholan strives 10
be just even when the current Of his sym
patty flows most strongly, this concession is
made confidently by the reader, and he
turns from admiration of tlo men whom the
historian eulogizcs by the recital Of their deeds
aud virtues to grateful recognition Of the
work Of the historian himself. We cannot
attempt TO tell what Mr.. Phelan tells but
let Il be sufficient to say that the pioneers Of
Tennessee of the period closing with the
admission of Tennessee to the Union, have
found In Mr.. Phclan nconteur
worthy their achievements. Having COM
pletcd this portion of his history, which
occupies about onc-half the pages of the vol
umc, the author treats of the institutes OF
Tennessee, showing tho general orgnni-
cation Of the machinery OF state 10 have
been derived directly from England,
with such notifications rs were made by
North Carolina. the constitution Of Tcnncs-
see Of 1895 being practically, the constitu-
ton OF North Carolina Of 1916. We do not
think Mr.. Phclan makes enough
out Of this phase Of the Statc's
history, there being no mention
OF the Bin Of Rights Of Tennessee, which
won 80 emphatic appreciation from Thomas
jefferson. As to the system Of local self
government Mr.. Phelan shows that Of the
two wcll-defincd systems which took root in
America, the town and the county, the lat
ter was adopted by the people Of Tennessee,
the reason being that, whereas the popula-
ton OF New England spread from towns
or plantations or bodies Of people" the
population Of Tennessee "may be said to
have grown toward them" The principles
upon which rest the framework OF the
present county government, their ancient
origin and their adaptation to modern
needs, receive such intelligent and studious
attention as to make this chapter IN some
respects the most important and satisfactory
In the book. Under the caption, Religion
in Tennessee" there is given a most in
tcrcsting essay upon Prcsbytcrianism aud
Mcthodi.m IN Tennessee, the devotion
Of the early preachers rnd missionaries
calling ont all the cloqucncc and sympathy
Of the author. asa tribute to them IL Is en-
tir,ly adequate, but We could wish
that NJ Phelan had dwelt moro
upon the close connection there was be-
| tween the Prcsbytcranism aud the patriot
| ism Of the primitive time, and had traced
more definitely the influence OF the old
! Presbyterian aud Mcthody stock IN the de.
vclopmcnt Of the State and It's institutions.
| The chapter upon schools Is all too brief,
| unless We take for granted that the historian
was oppressed by the poverty Of the subject,
! in which case the conclusion Is not hatlor.
ing to ones sense Of State pride. Eighteen
pages arc devoted 30 the political
period beginning with the election
/ OF John SEWER as the first Governor OF the
State and closing with the election OF Car
roll. but the attention Of the historian is
/ fixed for the most part upon the person.
alltlos Of the men who held the Office. with
some reference 10 the quarrel between SEWER
and Jackson. The very depressing financial
| history of the State Is told In the chapters ON
"Banks' and internal Improvement"
| and the Tcnncsscnn who rial Il can find
! but little In q that lac would like 10 read,
! though Il be ever 50 instructive.
These chapters would seem to occur
more hltingly In treatise ON The
| Demolition OF State" CAROLS Is the only
| presence that give, relief TO the general
! gloom as he Is made 10 appear about the
only important public functonnry who had
| any financial acumrn whatever,
and who was not susceptible 10
the hcrosics aud sophistrics which,
In State Of Jcncrsoninns. came
90 be afflicted with the very worst phases Of
patrrnalisn in government, according b. this
history. Mr.. Phelan says the four ablest
Governors Of Tennessee before the war were
John Sewer, William Carroll, James X. Polk
aud Andrew Johnson, but that the
only one who earned great rcpu-
tniion as Governor distlnctivcly
was Carroll. He was" says Mr. Phclan.
essentially the reform Governor OF Ten.
ncssce." Mr.. Phclan. turning now TO West
Tennessee. says Us history has never been
written. Beginning with the statement that
those who first came % this section u the
State were surveyors and land spectators,
previous reference having been made
TO the period Of the Spanish dom.
nation, Mr.. Phclan gives brief state.
mcnt. NJ 90 the organization Of the sew.
crnl counties Of West Tennessee, inclu ling
the names Of many OF tho original settlers,
aud then proceeds 60 give n succinot
sketch Of the beginning aud growth Of Mem.
phis with much about the old proprlctors,
special attention being devoted Ia the rare
executive ability aud extraordinary fore.
sight Of John Oycrton. Every citizen
~ Memphis will read this part Of
the work with particular satisfaction. After a
chapter dealing with the exploits Of John
! A. Murrell aud his reign OF disorder In West