The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-03
LoNosTREET ON THE SOUTH.
His Glowing Tribute to Gen. Harrison
and Friendliness of the North.

Republican Club of Chattanooga, Decem-
Der 81, the Hon. II. Clay Evans, Congress-
man-elect from the Third District, read
the following letter from Gen. Longstreet
GAINESVILLE Ca Dee. 80, 1883.
Mr.. President, Gentlemen OF the Young Mems Re-
publican Club Of Chattanooga aud Comrades
Twenty-Five years ago commanded one
wing OF an army near here that trained
hostile guns on this city. II was then
mere struggling town OF few thousand
residents, but two great armies contended
for the prize on account OF its strategic
Importance. Now behold great city,
whose tall factory chimneys piercing the
sky are gigantic mile-posts, marking the
wondrous progress you have made and
teaching the beautiful lesson that
Peace hath her victories,
No less renowned ihnn war.
Chattanooga is the center OF pioneers OF
the "New South" and being one Of the
first cities. II not the first OF any size in our
section, 10 elect Republican Congressman,
pledged TO the protection OF American la
Dor and American industries, she has
blazed out path TO industrial supremacy
that her sister cities would do well TO imi-
tate. say you have elected Repub-
lican Congressman, aud say IL advisedy,
because | rejoice to learn you have
Governor who will not seek by
fraud or technicaliiies TO cheat or stife
the popular will, but that no will issue the
certificate OF election 10 Mr.. Evans, whom
the people chose ut the ballot-box and our
party has that courage 10 see that Mr.. Ev-
aus and every man fairly elected shall take
his seat. II there were more Bob" lay
lors in the executive chairs ofthe Southern
States there would be lees complaint about
a suppressed vote. Chattanooga is n grand
object lesson OF the benevolent ef-
fleets OF protective tariff. Had II
not been for the "Morril tariff OF
1851, with its strong protective features,
your iiourishing' city might have still been
in its swaddling clothes instead Of the
vigorous specimen of robust municipal
manhood that gladdens tho eye of the
laborer and the capitalist. II may be
taken for granted that men who have the
sense TO amass wealth have also sense
enough not to risk their investments
among people who are unfriend'y
to their interests; and where a
community yearns for free trade
it is but natural that labor and
capital should give that community a
wide berth. Nothing is 50 timid and eau
tious as q capital. and TO get II in your
midst II must feel that Il Is safe aud wei.
come. Thousands aud millions OF dollars
are locked up in Government bonds OF
boarded up in bank vaults that would he
gladly released from It's prison bounds and
seek the fertile fields and the rich mineral
lands OF the sunny Southland II the condi-
tons were believed 20 be favorable. Two
recent events in our midst will conduce "a
this end.
I. The heroic action Of the Birmingham
Sheriff in defending his prisoner against
mob violence, and t2) the visit Of the Bir-
mingham delegation 10 Gen. Harrison.
The one showed the world the supremacy
OF law and order, and that lynch law will
soon be Renaissance only with us, and
the other was notice 10 the Bourbons that
| their party shackles are broken, and that
hereafter men will have the moral courage
10 pio lain their real principles and vote
/ their honest convictions in defiance oi
social ostacism, not alTrighlcncd by the
spook OF negro domination. | trust that
| Cen. Harrison will meet with no iactious
opposition from the South, for our people
owe him more than We now can discern,
so close are We 10 the smoke OF the battle
OF tho 9th Of November.
The approval Of Mr.. Cleveland's policy
would have been the calamity notable q
our section, for Il would have retarded out
industrial growth aud arrested the devcl
opment Of our material resources. Al
though Gen. Harrison will not get single
electoral vote from the South, yet history
will record that the Southern people 10.
ceiyed greater benefits from his election
than those States that voted for him. We
truly have only infant industries, needing
the fostering care OF the Government e
save ~ from destructive foreign competi
ton, and already the evidences are accu-
muating OF the ryiyiiying and stimulat
ing effect Gen. ilanison's election has had
on our business interests. To paraphrasC
an old quotation:
Some people arc born prosperous some
achieve prosperity, and some have pros.
pcrity thrust upon them.
Aud the last can be truly said Of rs. n.
We are 20 he saved In spite Of ourselves.
have recently seen our honorcd President
elect, and while In indianapolis ! met
many gallant Union veterans, and want
a. declare 10 our people that these brave
noble men have no malice or III will to.
ward IA. Gcn. Gran. said, "let NJ have
peace" when Jubal Early's guns could
almos, be- heard on Pennsylvania avenue,
in Washington City. aud with his own
life In peril, Abraham Lincoln 10.
clarcd. I've must not be enemies; lci
M be- friends"
And In the spirit Of those two immor
tails. and responding to the ira,crnal
feeling In indianapolis, let our old BOYS In
gray meet Gen. Harrison on halfway
ground aud take the ou,strctched hand
oi the patriot aud statesman, aud Co
| operate with him IN his efforts for the up
building and the glory Of our common
county. Help him and hold up his
bands, that he may be the stronger 70
| help YOU. J. II. LoNasrREEr.