The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-10

IN the adlectives and explosives usual To
the orators of Pinch, but Catfish Bay was
ruined, and the people quickly left it and
its shores"
The period between 1910 and 1850 was n
remarkable one. In that time the popu-
lalion grew from 100 TO ssh. The first
great commercial convention was held;
the Memphis & Charleston Railroad was
chartered and constructed: the Gayoso
House was built; The APPEAL founded;
Shelby County Bible Society organized,
and public debt created.
The rivalry between South Memphis and
Fort Pickering is one OF the most nstruc-
tive events in the life OF Memphis. 1t
grew out OF personal speculation and Il de-
termination after local supremacy; was
for space conducted with many exhibits
OF envy and jealousy, but finally ended in
Memphis absorbing her rivals and taking
on load of extended proportions" that
aiterward almost bcggarcd herto maintain.
II Increased the number OF her miles OF
streets and the demands upon her police
and fire departments, and, instead OF u
city growing from a compact aud pDpu-
lous center she presented the appearance
and was really, as WIS said Of Washing
ton about the Same time, "a city OF mag
niiiccnt distances" There il one feature
connected with this enterprise deserving
OF more than special notice. II shows
the watchlul eye OF the proprietols and
well illustrates the danger to u great
community OF the ownership OF large
tracts OF valuable lands by one indi-
vdual. When the Legislature authorized
the consolidation Of North and South
Memphis the charter provided that ''the
Overton tract was exempt from town
taxes until q VS. divided into town
lots, aud then only ~ much thereof az
shall be laid OFF into lots" lnasmuch ~
this tract would reap whatever benefit
would arise rom the growth Of the city
and would enhance the value OF the lands,
the provision was not only unconstitu.
tiona but unfair, but at the same time
the all.powcrlul influence Of wealth aud
the power Of the lobby even at this early
date 10 strikingly illustrated.
The establishment OF public library
was agitated IN 1919, but was never sue
ccssiu. Worthy OF note, however, was
an earnest appeal made on August 8, 1915,
In behalf oil the wives anil children Of the
Mormons oncanped at the head OF Dcs
Nloincs River, "who were then awaiting
IN starving condition the return OF their
husbands and fathers, who, despite the
many wrongs they had suffered from the
hands OF men claiming but TO disgrace the
lame Of American citizen, had no sooner
heard the tocsn OF war than, true TO their
Instincts ~ Americans, a battalion of
volunteers was promptly organized and
'ccciecd into the service Of their country"
Memphis responded Al this time the
lebl had'rcrched $1,000. On February
}, lSiS books were opened for subscrip-
ions To build line OF Morse's electro
magnetic telegraph from Memphis 10
ntcrsect the New Orleans * Ohio ielo-
graph line at COlunbia, thus nilording
with all important telc-
graph points Ia tho United States.
The holding oi the great Commercial
Convention at Memphis, at which Calhoun
Vas present, was the most important event
n her history prior 10 tho war. IL gave
ier a desired prominence and settled be-
,ond question her future. II drew the
noft distinguished men Of all sections OF
,he country, aud Il had well designed
purpose. IL accomplished that purpose.
! rose above politics, nnd get shaped the
policy Ut the government which eventually
resulted la rapid growth Ut every Kind Of
industry. II gave an impetus 10 com.
morce, Il induced immigration to venture
further toward the West il hound the
citizen with loyal attachment To his coun-
Try, and assured him protection and en-
IL gave an impetus 10 bust.
moss, Il built up the Sunih aud opened up
the West. John &. Calhoun presided at
thr meeting. lie urged the adoption of
the resolutions, and ia a speech Oi great
power and force, declared, In speaking OF
the Improvement 81 the Mississippi River.
$50 do this Congryss has as undoublcd a
right "a TO protect aud provide for the
safety NJ our commerce ON the ocean,"
aud he said "the building Of the canal
from the lakes Of the North 10 the river
would bc a link IN the system Of dcicnscs
Of the country"
Every plga Of this valuable history l.
dotted with interesting and Instructive his
toricll "reminiscences. The panorama OF
events l. presented with liic.likc reality.
The visit u Lafayette 10 this country. tho
rise aud fall OF the Wing party, the power
iul personality oi Andrew jackson In both
Slaio and National affairs, the hostility he
excited and the part played 10y prominent
men In opposition 10 his measures the
birth aud growth Of false banking sys.
TEN, tile Internal improvement acts aud
the creation Of bonded debt, tho part
Tennessee played IN the war, itscilccls and
the suffering produced, the reconstruction
measures and the hostile attitudes Of the
10yurnmunt, the bitter, yindiullyo policy
OF BrOwnlow, the public acts Of Andrew
johnson, aud the dual emancipation Of
the state from political misrulc aud iinan-
cial cmbamsmcnh aro traced In logical
sequence aud with vig0r We cannot la
this royiow do more than call attention 10
them, a. We have ON this branch exceeded
our limits Mr.. Heating has Justly treated
them NJ length, hut In a manner most de-
lghliul.
Andrew jackson, Andrew johnson and
lshim q. Harris arc the true heroes VI
Tennessee. They shaped the politics Of
the state. They inspired Legislative acts,
and brcaihcd into them lie. What thcy
wcrc aud how they affected the people Is
the province Of tho historian 10 declare.
aud this Mr.. Heating, with fair impartial.
ity, has cnlcavorcd 10 do, and In the main
las been successful
There are, however, three remaining
problems noted In tho work deserving OF
special consideration.
The solution Of the slavery question has
been made by the arbitmment OF arms.
aud the North stands In the opinion Of the
world a. the champion Of the freedom OF
mnu. History h valuable only from the
lessons she teaches, aud the children Of
Tennessee should DO constantly reminded
that slavery became fixed institution In
this State from stern Necessity. In lS2l.-2B
Fanny Wright was noted figure In this
little town Of Memphis Her life was an
exemplary one, aud she had noble and
philanthrupic ideas She WIS an eccentric
character, but her heart aud soul was Tor