The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-10-21

that he was at liberty to resent the matter
In any way he saw fit. Martin was in a
state OF beastly intoxication, and was evil
IDENTITY being urged on in his course by
parties who did not choose to appear openly
in the matter.
When the hour appointed for the speak
ing approached, another actor appeared
upon the scene, one julius Brett, who
seemed TO be intent upon keeping Martin
quiet until Mr.. Person began his address,
when he suddenly appeared upon the
platform OF the depot, armed with VIM
chester rifle, and declared that mo Cd
id Niger could lay his hand on
his friend Ollie Martin, and that he
was going to run the Cd id
s. OF b OF the town." When re-
monstrated with and told that no one had
any intention of harmine his friend, he
changed his tack and said that no niger
should come out to that town and tell
white men how to vote, and that he was
going to fill him full of holes. All this
was accompanied by plasphememy and
vulgarity too foul for repetition here. His
friends managed TO get him quoted for a
few minutes, during which time Mr.. Pier
son proceeded with his remarks. but was
soon interrupted again by Brett's commo-
ton, which was evidently for the sole pur-
pose OF breaking up the speaking. Catch
ing sight OF Phillips at this juncture, Brett
leveled his gun at his breast and told
him to leave the town in two minutes
or he would shoot him down in his tracks
The recently elected magistrate in that
district, A. q. Kimbrough, was standing
almost at Brett's elbow at the time, but
made no effort TO prevent the outrage.
Covered by the rifle in Brett's hands,
Phillips then was forced to leave the pub.
lie square OF this stronghold of pure
"machine" Democracy. As neither Mr..
Pierson nor myself were armed, having no
idea that the shotgun tactics would be at
tempted before the day OF the election,
when it might possibly be resorted to, il
the usual means Of carrying the day should
seem TO be unavailing, we were utterly
powerless TO offer any opposition TO this
villainy otherwise than by protesting
against it, which we did. The crowd at
the depot seemed to be in entire sympathy
with Brett.
After his return from running the mig
ger out OF town." Brett was disarmed by
his friends and secreted from the special
constable who had in the meantime been
deputized by Squire Kimbrough TO arrest
him for ms outrageous breach OF the peace.
When we left Germantown, which We did
after | had addressed the crowd upon the
issues presented by the Peoples Reform
ticket there had been no arrest of this
outrageous law-breaker.
IL this a free country Is the law pow
erless before the ring, and is public opin-
ion 10 be nodded, formed and appealed
TO only at the pleasure and by the kind
permission of the bosses2 These are
questions that every man in this county
who has any love for libert yand respect ior
the rights guaranteed by the Declaration
Of independence and the constitution OF
the United States, to ask himself and "a
maturely reflect upon. II reputable and
honest men cannot come before the people
whenever they deem II proper and adyis3l.
bic 10 do so, and present their views un.
molested and in safety. then 1t dcvolye,
upon them 10 arm themselves and mcet
violence with force. H. q. BRowS.
Germantown, October 20.