The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-06
MEMPHIS TENN. SUNDAY, JANUARY g. 1880


OF the situation, and for freedom from the
strain OF keeping the negro vote down,
and the fear Of having il regain control
and force blight aud ruin on the country.
Our condition is not wholesome for the
Republic, or for us us States and individu.
ais. \ large Southern vote is represented
in the electoral college and tho House OF
Representatives, but never cast il is here,
rcpresscd, gathering strength perhaps from
its repression, threatening always. Sup.
pose the white men stay away from the
Federal boxes, aud allow the black half
OF the population to send the Representa-
tives now sent by the white hah-will
that improve the positionP No power can
give assurance that the black vote would
be confined to the Federal boxes. II there
could be such assurance | believe two
thirds of the whites would be glad TO
barter their rights OF representation in the
Federal Government for undisputed con-
troll OF their States, counties and cities, for
the power other people have to divide
among themselves on questions Of local
policy.
The educational qualification is pre-.
scribcd for our troubles. Its first practical
effect is to add 10 the mass of sullen, re-
sentiul, DISTINGUISHED negroes a smaller
but more active and aggressive mass OF
sullen, resenttul, dilranchised white men,
the two together making majority Of the
men OF each State, and offering a stand.
ing inducement TO politicians and parties
to obtain permanent power by bringing
about the restoration of the manhood fran
chisc. Without that consideration would
IL be wise or humane TO establish by law
what would be practically race difference,
at the mercy OF the white man, without
his former value ~ property or his present
strength rs q politca! factor? lie would
be NJ prey inviting aggression, and the
utmost efforts OF the vast number Of white
Southern Democrats who wish 10 see him
have fair play could not secure ii for him
when the interests or sentiment oi the
time opposed il. lie would receive the
same fair play the administering, eager
white nan, unrclenting in acquisition, has
given the Indian and the Chinaman.
II what say is accepted as truth, the
failure of the plan for dealing with the
South indicated 10y Gen. Harrison is sure.
The Southern white people do not nsk In
bc either pcttcd or driven, because the
two policies arc equally powerlcss in ~.
leasing them from the hard political obli-
cations to which they are bound by nvccs-
sity. They will not divide on the tariff
question. They are already divided on
that and other issues in sentiment, but
they dare not divide in action.
To leave the situation undsturbod will
not be craftsmanship, good morals or good
politics II every Democratic Office
holder in the South should bo left nm.
molcsled during the coming four year,
the end Of that time would lind the rcla.
tons aud membership OF the parties un.
changed. Every negro would bc Re.
publican, and not n white man would
have become one. The differences and
lines between the parties in the South are
deeper than any questions OF policy OF
principles or patronage. They ate the
differences aud lines between Anglo Saxon
and Ethiopian, between former master
and former slave, between aggregated
capital aud aggregated labor, between q
race kept down by sentiment. custom, In.
hcritanco and necessity, aud rae,
forced by sentiment, custom, inheritance
aud necessity 10 keep II down. The evils
will increase with time. As the two races
| increase they will crowd each other with.
in their territory, aud the struggle ior
place aud fOothold will become stronger
aud harder; ~ the educated class increases
among the negroes its pressure against
the combining, fopWssiyo forces above will
be more serious, aud tho friction will bc
moro irritating TO both sides
ANY scheme which contemplatus the
amnlgamation Of the races may be- rejected
instantly. II Is an impossibility, bccaus,
II is abhofrent 10 every nerve and senti.
mcnt Of white meii. Those II them who
can bring themselves TO cool thought upon
that subject are convinced that the prnc.
teal result Of amalgimation would be- the
merging Of both nccs IN mongrcl. usclcs,
TO itself, aud an everlasting weight upon
the country.
The situation II told here m II appears "a
one who IL part Of IL aud In H., aud who
has tried 10 give intelligent thought to its
realities. stripping away the prrtcnscs
with which Il Is covered by the politician,
and political writer's OF the respective side,
n sentiment, interest aud ignorance sug
gcsi.
As the personal position Of the wrieI
may give some ligh 90 those who think %
/ tho subject "a II Is here presented. vent
urc 20 give the information that | nm IN,
editor II South Carolina newspaper aud
Democrat, believing with the Demo
crate party In it, every principle ant
theory, aud loving IL, hoping to vote al
ways Ia the future, ~ always In the past.
straight Democratic ballot.
As love aud believe IN tho Democrats,
marty, love and believe IN this Rcpubli,
and It's people. and m nay heart lhclc isaI
earnest, enduring faith that the American
people, at the right time and In the rIgh
way. will iind aud use the solution OF ih'
problem presented 30 them here, as thcl
have solved the many dangerous and pul
zlinp questions which they have hpa &,
consider In the past, aud will dispose o
thcs, troubles wisely aud Justly. I hay,
written with the hope Of humbly hclpin,
b. that cnl 10y directing public thought 4,
the two facts that q there IL n distinctive
Southern situation, and l2l that Il IL no
TO be- dealt with or disposed of by single
oxprdicnt or plan devised and execute,
o1.hand, aud will demand careful study
mature thought, patience, aud mutual for
bcarancc, that right may be- done ON aI
sdcs. A. u. WILLIAMS.