The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-04
DEMOCRACY In ARKANSAS.
NO CENTER AND THE POWER OF
COHESION LOST.
A General Rally all Along the Line De-
manded by a Situation That Grows
Worse Every Day by the Neglect OF
the Trusted Leaders.


the alarming increase Of the negro popula-
ton in Arkansas. 1t was shown by sta
tistics, both local and State, that Arkansas
was fast becoming threatened with negro
domination and with all the attendant
evils OF such a situation. After pause OF
lew years and a calm survey and study
OF the slern logic OF events, am not pre-
pared to regret the forecast then taken or
to recede one hairs breadth from the con-
clusion to which had been forced by the
overwhelming tendency OF events. Year
by year the negro is pouring into Eastern
Arkansas from Cape Fear to the Missis-
sippi. Add to this the marvellous fecundity
Of the race and their growth here is in an
increasing arithmetical progression. Our
people are gradually becoming alarmed;
and we'll they may, for the evils and woes
OF the oid-fashioned reconstruction are
creeping upon us. The days Of Dick
Busted, OF Alabama, and OF Midnight"
Durell, Of Louisiana, are even now alarm
ingly suggested.
Tho old machinery OF reconstruction has
been oiled up, and the National Repub-
lican Executive Committee, with its lictors
at Little Rock, it is believed, are running
the Federal Court The liberties and the
rights Of innocent white Democrats are at
the mercy OF ignorant and viDdictive
blacks who are swift witnesses for the pur-
poses Of Republcanism. The Democrats
are cowed and scattered, their leaders too,
and the cry seems TO DO "sauve qui peut"
as the clans OF Powell Clayton gather in
the disreputable blacks, ready, no doubt,
to open the way by perjury for the white
Democrat to the Ohio State penitentiary.
There is complete enginery for prose
cution and persecution OF Democrats.
John NJ. Mcclure q noted Republican
lawyer OF much brains and an equal
amount OF malignity OF temperament, is
employed at a salary, among the thou.
sands, TO prosecute all cases against
Democracy. An anxious Judge, who has
keen relish for punishing Democrats,
smacks his judicial lips rs he gives his
charges TO the jury-charges, forsooth,
which we will not say are impregnated
with vindictiveness, but in which the
most careful analysis fails TO find an undue
amount OF fairness or justice. Already
two young Democrats from the counties OF
Cleveland and OF Conway, have been
found guilty OF interfering with negro su-
pervisors OF election, and that on testi-
mony which IL given in case where the
rights OF properly belonging 10 the Fede-
raj Judge or his attorney were concerned,
Il might be hurled beyond the bounds oil
infinite unbelief. On yesterday 100 ne
groes arrived from Woodruff County,
probably 10 swear against Democrats and
to fulfil part in the general program.
The Democrats, on the other hand, have
no organization and no plan OF action TO
resist this well-planned' crusade. Their
leaders are either Pharisees or devoid OF
personal OF party spirit
There Is no cohesveness in the Arkan-
sas Democracy; there Is no scli.help or
effort ON the part OF our leaders or papers
to meet this Ubiquitous war upon its mem
bers. Tho killing OF the Hon. John NJ.
Clayton has furnished an excuse for the
Republicans 10 push their aggresavencss,
and the effort Is now clear that they in
tend to drive into Arkansas the wedge
that may divide the solid South. The
very elements for success in this behalf
arc more numerous and inviting here than
anywhere else in the South. The very
papers which fly Democratic colors and
assume 10 themselves the leadership oil
party, arc so burdcned with the suspicion
OF insincerity and disloyalty that day by
day they need most "damnable iteration"
10 encourage faint idea In the
minds Of the truly righteous, that the
said papers arc Of the Democratic
order. One OF the papers 10 which
reference is made, Is owned by Republican
dollars and edited by brains that seem "a
have no more experimental knowledge oil
what II costs or takes 10 be n Democrat
than they have Of how TO manage trans.
| Atlantic steamer In an ocean storm. Since
the unfortunate Plummcryille affair, the
whole Democracy OF the State has been
tho source Of continual libel and yitupcra.
ton, and Powell Clayton has been the
prominent figure in the estimation Of the
aforesaid alleged Democratic organs And
| Il Is well TO state that when the Claytons
immed their bill OF indictment against the
Democratic party, before tho funeral ex.
ercises at tho grave Of their brother were
hardly over, TnE MEMPnIs ArrEAL was
the first paper TO answer that indict.
ment and 10 make n reply which met
with the appreciation OF every rea
Democrat In the State. The 30 called
leading central Democratic organs
struck ha1ds with the Claytons, aud while
irumpeting their allegations, they refused
at the same time yindicaiions offered by
Democrats who were assaulted, and they
continued 10 open their columns TO botl
reprint and original asperslons on the in
iegrity OF the Democracy. The late Leg
islature was run In tho interest OF party
calumniaton, and the Speaker Of ia,
House, though lifelong Democrat, wal
out OF his chair and of OF his dignity OF
every occasion that offered an opportunity
for party lampoon or political rodomon
tade. When the election bill came up
providing for tho payment OF poll.tax ant
holding a receipt therefor 10 secure the
right to yotc-a bill designed 10 check th,
negro repeater ut the polls and
TO elevate his appreciation Of cit
izcnship and the elective franchise
the aforesaid Democratic Speaker o
the House wns instrumental la is defca
by joining his forces with tho negroes and
Republicans, and saying 10 the Democracy
| OF Eastern Arkansas Take care OF your
selves; ! am not importing negroes int
this State" His organ and Powell Clay
tons organ at the capital, arraigned Judg'
Hutton, Of Ice, for saying that this was I
white mans government. and gave utter
anco TO the damnable hercsy This Is {
white mans government, black man.
government, red mans government, Of
any other mans government"
Such washed out" Democracy rs ths
above IL too contemplate oven for a Re
publican President Of the United States
or for the Hon. John ]. ingalls,, OF Kansas
aud yet, this il sample Of that Arkan
sas Democracy which, Tor the lacl
| "a .t...l., .,.I ,,,.ni, iovaitv IN one,