The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-04
MAI. T. B. rDoIMoroN.s SPEECH.
Two Views OF TIA Strong Indorse-
ment and Republican Criticism.

Two Views OF TIA Strong Indorse-
ment and Republican Criticism.
To the Editor OF Tho Appeal:
Allow an old and steadfast friend OF The
APPEAL to suggest that the very meager
editorial reference to the address CT Maj.
I. b. Edgington. at the National Gene
terry on the I'd inst and the fragmentary
report OF the address that appears in THE
APPEAL OF this morning are not, in my
judgment-and, from what hear in the
Judgment OF the thoughtful portion Of the
community--commensurate with the rhe-
torical merits OF the address, or with the
importance OF the principal topic Of dis
cussion. All things considered, il may
well be pronounced the most noteworthy
event that has drawn public attention to
the most startling issue Of our times await
ing future solution, ono that to the
Southern States and people especially,
overshadows all others in significance.
Maj. Edgington was the right man in
the right place to uncover this mometous
subject, as he has done with q MASTER
hand, TO the inspection and thoughtful
consideration OF the public. A Northern
man, brave soldier in the Union army,
an officer in the Grand Army OF the Ro-
public, he must be deemed wholly ex-
empt from the local prejudice that
might be expected TO bias the opinions
OF one Of Southern birth and rearing, and
his utterances are entitled TO be received
as the matured convictions resulting from
long years OF personal observation and
experience OF an impartial aud philosoph-
ical observer. Nor was there anything
incongruous between the occasion and the
subject matter OF the address. An ex-
Union soldier, standing amid the graves Of
his dead comrades, might most appropri-
ately PROFOUND TO himself and 10 his living
compatriots the question as TO the
results or outgrowlh OF the conflict
that had produced this harvest OF
death. His audience consisted almost ex-
clusively OF those who are regarded as the
special beneilciaries OF that conflict, and IL
was eminently fitting that the wise, con-
sentative and patriotic words Of the speaker
should be uttered in their hearing. That
they proved distasteful Is no argument
against their truthtfulness or propriety as
truth is often most unpalatable when most
iorcibly and OPPORTUNITY presented.
Whether the remedy suggested by Maj.
Edgington DO proper or practical one OF
not, il is infinitely more sensible and
harmless than the one proposed by those
who seem 10 regard the education OF the
negro as panacea for all the ills, social
and political, present and prospective, in
cidental TO aconflct OF races, for. whilst the
amelorating influence Of education upon
society generally may not DO questioned,
il is undeniably true that tho mosl
clamorous and aggressive negroes where
the race question is involved, will be found
amongst those hest educated. Adopt the
theory Of these humanitarians; let the re-
sources of the white population DO taxed
| without stint TO bestow a shallow intellect
ual outfit upon the negro and then caI
the climax by the adoption Of female sui
irage so that every colorcd woman can b,
marched up TO the ballot.box and we vii
have the beginning OF the end, an end 81
graphically outlined by Maj. Edgington a
10 appall us by its contemplation.
Thanks, many thanks, are due Maj
Edgington for the fearless, philosophical
and statesmanlike presentation OF hi
views upon the great problem Of III,
times. lie has fired shot the reyerber
atoms OF which will. predict, be hear
throughout the length and breadth OF th'
land. J. W. Q.