The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-18
VOICE OF THE PEOPLE.
Gen. chaimer. and the fernando Anal


Sir ! notice in an issue OF your paper
OF recent date, cards from that "arch
traitor" and prince of scaawags," Gen.
j. II. Chalmers and others OF his ilk in
which Gen. Chalmers says: at was fur
ther reported that one Of the inspectors OF
election at fernando, Mr.. West, had
made some threatening remark about
Walker, the colored United States super
visor. That the same inspector
OF election stepped up to Mr.. Nickles, as
he was leaving the court room and said to
him, 4 say damn such proceedings.
Now the above is not very grave or SER
ious charge, except that it is introduced as
proof by Gen. G. to substantiate the more
serious charge made by him that the
Court, engaged in taking testimony in his
contest for Judge Morgan's seat in Con-
gress, was prevented from taking such
testimony by the good prople Of fernando
and vicinity. Taken in this connection il
assumes more serious aspect. Ordinar-
lily should only consider the source and
pay no attention whatever to the charge,
but in these troublesome times, think it
is the duty Of every good and true citizen
Of the South, TO show up such men rs the
Little Game Cock" and his satellites, in
their true colors.
Now, Mr.. Editor, | am but n plain,
practicable farmer, who is in the habit of
calling horse horse and pillow plow,
and not being versed in parliamentarian
usage, know not how 10 give the Gle
courteous, Us others might do, but desire
TO say that whoever furnished Gen. G.
with the above information, II anyone
did(2) in doing 80 told u willlul, malicious
lie. at no time during the sitting OF the
court or elsewhere made any threats
against the negro Walker or any other wit
ness, nor did |, at any time during the
sitting Of court or elsewhere, address one
word 10 Mayor Nickles or any OF the tribe
with the exception OF the man Anderson,
OF whom more anon, and defy Gen. G.
or his iniormer to prove their allegation.
Now as to the facts in regard to the adj
iOurnment OF the court, | was present
nearly all the time the court was engaged
IN taking testimony, having been, us Gen.
Z. says, an inspector Of election at the
fernando box, and being very DESTROYS Of
seeing and hearing what efforts would be
made 10y the witnesses TO aid and assist
Chalmers in his efforts TO steal Judge Nor
gan's seat In Congress. | at no time saw
any disposition on the part OF Mr. Foster
or other counsel for Judge Morgan, TO bull
doze or intimidate the court in any way or
manner True, they did insist that the
bogus marshal should step aside, and his
place be filled by duly elected and quail.
fled officer, and an officer was assigned to
duty who is noted for his fair minded and
conservative views. one who Il not afraid
10 discharge his duty at all times and on
all occasions, which was fully testified 10
by Austin Bell, one of Chalmers's own
witnesses, while on the stand, and said
officer would have afforded the court am-
pie protection II they had remained
here year. 1t is said THE guilty flee
when no man pursueth," and that "a
guilty conscience makes towards Of us
all Such must have been the cause Of
the flight OF Chalmers's Court from Her
nando. Knowing that they were engaged
In conspiracy 10 steal Judge Morgan's
seat IN Congress, and TO rob and deiraud
the people Of DeSoto Of their chosen rep
iescntative in Congress, they very nat
urally became afraid OF their own shad.
ows, and well they might be, for the shad-
ows Of such evil minded conspirators must
De very dark aud irightful looking indeed.
In any event their shadows were all they
had 10 brighten them at fernando. Ash
never saw a more quiet aud peaceful time
than we were having then, in fact, we
were rather rejoicing aud making glad.
over the TACT that Chalmers was getting 80
badly left by his own witnesses, aud we
were rather anxious for the circus TO 10
on, NJ We were doing the dancing and
they were playing the fiddler. But herein
lies the milk in the cOcoanut, il was the
character and kind Of testimony they were
getting that caused them tosuspend opera
tons, aud not because they were fright
ened IN any way or manner whatever.
To illustrate, Chalmers alleged in his no.
tice Of contest that his followers the ne
grocs, were inundated and prevented
from coming TO the polls at llcrnando by
some shooting which took place in the
town the night before the election. Now
Austin Bell, negro whose house was shot
into on said night, was the last witness ex.
amined 10y Chalmers's attorneys in Her
nando aud when asked by Judge Nor.
CAMS counsel II said shooting kept anyone
away from the polls or prevented anyone
from voting, his answer was very prompt:
"No, sir, not a single man. In fact, Il rather
moro determined to vote"
Tho question YVES then asked. at Is n
fact that no one was intimidated or kept
away from the polls by said shooting, and
that every man came forward aud voted
who desired TO do 30. and voted Just rs lac
pleased is it2' His answer very promptly
given was, "Ics, sir, every man voted who
wanted 20, and voted Just rs he pleased"
] give this rs a fair sample of the tcsti-
mcny they were receiving and IL was 40
evidently killing their own case that they
determined TO suspend until they could
confer with their witnesses and arrange
with them for testimony which would be-
In better accord with the allegations set
forth In the notice Of contest.
Now as 10 Mr.. Anderson, ! understand
he says lac only wrote hs card 10 get an
opportunity to advertise his machines, lac
may get moro free advertising than lac
bargaincd for. In the afternoon, after the
court had adjourned ON account OF sick
ness, a. was alleged at that time. the
said Anderson WIS Ia the office of the
Chancery Clork Of the county, where
quite n crowd OF gentlemen assembled 10
witness said Anderson operate upon his
said machine. The conversation very
naturally turned upon Chalmers and his
contest and the testimony then being
taken, etc. said Anderson seemed 20 be
in full sympathy with the gentlemen
present aud out HUrodcd llcrod in his de.
nuncations Of such proceedings and the
right Of the negro 10 vote, aud nothing
short Of the negru's removal or his entire
CNtormination would satisfy said Auier.
A NNh all