The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-12

manity. ann
They didn't give in till they had to-"
was the unanimous verdict OF the Federal
victors; the Confederacy was q mere
she'll" II was worse than that-it was a
waste. From the Potomac TO the Sabine
every branch OF production was paralyzed,
the commerce OF every port was dead. all
public improvements were destroyed or
badly crippled, every family was in mourn
ing, every fifth house was in ashes, every
third soldier had sunk to his grave. Soci-
ETY. was plowed up from the very bottom;
the industrial system was completely de-
stroyed; ''the bottom rail was on top"
the currency was worthless, and no man
knew whether there was any local govern
ment. The people barely had time TO
breathe and begin TO rebuild their waste
places, when the reconstruction measures
OF 1867 again overwhelmed society; the
negro vaulted into the seat OF his former
master and commenced playing the beggar |
ON horseback. For seven years several OF |
the States were subjected TO the most gall
ing humiliations that men OF the Aryan |
race can suffer; an imperial race was put |
under the control OF lately servile race; |
white men were ruled by their former |
slaves. The white people of six States and |
part OF five more were confronted with the |
most stupendous problems in government;
but natural superiority asserted itself, and |
out OF chaos they organized victory.
While reconstruction was in progress,
and while tho whites were Frustrated,
there were complaints OF social disturb
ances, OF riots here and there; but now
that we look back on that period we are
filled with amazement that there was 80
NJ. Il ahaI ...ll No.
pose some philosophic student OF human
nature, unbiased by prejudice, had looked
upon the eight States subjected TO the rule
OF the freedmen in 1867, and attempted TO
forecast the future; what must he have
prophesied? Here, he would have said,
are two races alien from the dawn OF his
tory. The one has behind II 5000 years Of
slavery and barbarism; IL is timid to
painful degree, just out Of servitude, with
out education, unaccustomed to the use OF
arms, without military experience or or
ganizing capacity-a servile race. The
other isan imperial race, with 1000 years OF
constant progress behind II; people ac-
customed TO rule, Injured 10 war; good
riders, crack shots, with sentimental ideas
OF honor and personal dignity, feeling an
insult more than n wound, aud with rs lit
tie dread Of death as any people in the
world. And II is proposed by wise states
men 10 put this race under the control OF
that race. Reasoning priori, what would
this student philosopher have said? That
there would be an upheaval without pre-
cedent riot and bloodshed in every pre-
cinct That hundreds Of thousands would
be slaughtered. That the streams would
run red with blood And 40 thought the
| few who could reason In that exciting era.
Nothingof thesort occurred. True, there
was trouble here and there, for the bonds
Of society were completely relaxed, and
local government had no force except 10
tax and plumber. Yet, considering the
temptations, the aggregate was surprisingly
small The average iorbearance was won
derful. The ratio Of crime among the
| lf,000,000 or more people in the south was
scarcely greater than In communiiics where
peace has prevailed for generations. In no
long time there came 10 the front class OF
young men not broken in the spirit by the
war, and with the counsel OF the elders
they soon redeemed tile south. Then was
seen restoration Of peace and order as
sudden as II was surprising, The State
governments became thoroughly efficient;
no municipalities wcro more orderly than
those Of the south; life and property
were M secure as in any country in the
world, and the rapid progress In temper
ance and religion astonished mankind.
For seven weeks Of 1877 riots rnged from
the Hudson 10 the Missouri; but not n shot
was fired In the south. Frauds and en-
bezzlemcnt multiplied, but southern bust
ncss was conducted on the old and honora-
bile plan. Bankers and cashiers, trustees
and aldermen fled 10 Canada with the
funds inirustcd TO them; but the south
sent no such emigrants. Credit mobiliers
and star route frauds, Indian rings and
whisky rings were exposed till decent
Americans held their noses and blushed;
but no southern statesman was involved.
For the past ten years there have been
fewer frauds and thelts and less intemper.
ance In the south than In any equal period
before in any section OF the country.
In the meantime the southern people
have established n comprehensive school
system, taxing themselves generously 10
educate tho youth OF both races; have
carried out vast public improvements and
built up score Of great manufacturing
cities The politicians Of distant States
have snccrcd and criticised, but their cap
italisis have come and invested, and that
shows where confidence Ia due. money
talks" No other State has been moro
abused by men OF the wind-galls tribe
than Georgia; no southern State has 10
ceiycd morc northern capital. No State Is
more imbuod with what they call the
southern spirit than Texas; none has
received more immigrants from the north.
DO men voluntarily locate where life
and property are insecure, or where they
are not free 10 express opinions7 Or do
capitalists act a. u they expected to gather
grapes Of thorns or figs OF thistles7 No;
these facts are unanswcrablc proof that
peace, order and liberty rule In the south;
and in evolving such system out Of chaos
the southern people have shown n politi-
cal skill and capacity lorslaicsmanship UNI
cqualcd In the world beside.
Our colorcd citizcns must have their
share OF praise. since the evil days ended
they have worked willingly with IA iof
better things. When impartial history
comes 10 be written these plain truths viii
be recorded: That no conquered country
ever settled down 30 peace and order "a
soon; that no defeated people ever nc.
ccplcd the situation NJ manfully; that nc
suddenly freed people ever used their
, freedom with mort moderation. aud that
In no part Of the United States Is there
today q moro earnest, honest aud whole.
aoulcd devotion a. The common good oI
our common couhiry. The Conicderatcs
fought braycly fors e'paniion, and when
defeated they submitted maniully. IL II
only those who ape brave in battle who
can maintain a manly dignity In defeat
Our brave yiclors ar foremost TO recognize
this fact, and, With rare exceptions, IN,
? anuth has no moro devoted cilirons the