The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-08

u Il
lacking In this case. John Nj. Clayton was
not murdered because he was a Republi-
can, nor because he was a candidate for
y ngress, nor yet because he was contest
ing Breckinridge's seat, but he was doubt
less murdered by the wretch who de.
stroyed the ballot-box, in order to avoid
detection and punishment. There was,
perhaps, this much OF politics in it, but no
more.
The charges implied in the statement
that John Nj, Clayton went to Plummer-
/ vile unarmed and unescorted, recognize
ing the futilty OF such precautions against
the stealthy assassin, and believing that
his opponent, Mr.. Breckenridge, who was
aware OF the condition OF affairs in this
county, would be willing and able to re-
strain his partsans," no one will openly
make. There is much OF the spirit OF
the assassin in covert charges in insinu-
atoms intended to suggest charges which
are known TO be untrue. The condition OF
Conway County was not such as to suggest
even the possibility OF assassination. This
is not crime characteristic of the South
ern people; 1t is the crime OF towards; and
whatever else may have been said against
us, we have not been accused Of coward
ice. The suggestion that Col. Clayton
went to Plummerville with any thought
OF assassination is wholly gratuitous, and
implies the grossest Misrepresentation OF
the people of Conway County, for he had
very recently canvassed this and every
other county in the district, and had been
treated everywhere with kindness and
consideration.
The stab at the good name OF Mr.. Breck-
inridge in the insinuation that he might
or could restrain assassins-thqt he was
capable Of any sort OF utilization or connec-
ton with ass,lssins-is monslrous A good
name is dearer than life itself to an honor
able man, and in all his life, public and
| private, no spot or blemish is TO be found
upon his character. His purity and up
rightness, his manliness and irankncss, are
characteristics that no truthful man will
deny. lie is a man Of marked gentleness,
! always thoughtful and careful OF The rights
and feelings OF others. lie is unseliish and
generous to a fault. With him principle
and conscience are guides. In the line Of
his duty lac is brave, butalways courteous;
he 'dares TO do all that may become a
man" but his worst enemy has never
said that he would dare do more. Every
iair.minded, manly man who knows him
well, whether Republican or Democrat,
will at once condemn and denounce this
inslnuatlOn rs unjust and untrue
aye, as infamous. The gentleness OF his
nature appears in that he has preferred TO
suiler in silence under these foul asper-
sions rather than, even in defense OF his
own good name, be drawn into an un-
seemly wrangle over Clayton's dead body.
lie Will bidc his time, never doubling his
complete yindication by his iellow-men.
MR.. BREcKENRIDoE's POSITION,
MAJ be pardoned a word Just here as
TO what was the proper political course for
Mr. Breckenridge when he learned OF this
murder. Friends thought that IL would
have been proper for him 10 give expires.
sion 10 his detestation Of the crime by re-
signing his claim TO his seat II he had
done so, his opponents, ready TO assail
whatever position he might assume, could
and, believe, would ut once have charged
that his purpose in resigning was 10 avoid an
investigation into the election last Noyem-
Der, as well as the killing OF Clayton; that
at the very first moment when his rcsigna-
ton would stop investigation, he had
promptly ayailed himself OF IL. As he aud
his party had been assaulted, the thing an
honorable and honest man would most
/ u
and 10 secure this II was necessary for him
to hold his place.
A resignation, too, would have implied
a doubt upon his part ms 10 the absolute
correctness OF his claim 10 his seat. Be-
lieying with all his heart, ~ did his
friends, that he had been fairly elected,
entertaining no shadow OF doubt OF this,
he could not, even by implication, give
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Justly entitled 20 his seat, why should he
abandon II after ClaytOn's unfortunate
death any more than during his liictime7
lie IL Representative. Those who fairly
elected him have n right 10 expect him not
only to discharge the duties imposed upon
him by the position, but that he will pre-.
serve and defend the trust committed 10
his keeping. lie retains, as his duty ~.
quired him 10 do, his lawful place, quietly
awaiting and inviting the fullest mvestiga-
ton not only for himself, but for his dis
trict and his party.
ourRAoEs oS THE BALLor-Box.
The crime Of stealing the ballo;-box was
the beginning Of thus trouble. II is the
fashion In certain quarters 10 charge a gen.
eral state Of lawlcssness against all the
South Ia this matter OF outragcs upon the
ballot II will scarcely, however, be for
gotten by fair men that this IL the sole
charge Of this kind in Maj. Breckinridgc's
entire district, composed Of sixteen coun-
ties aud embracing upward OF 10000
squarc miles Of territory, and that Ia none
Oh the past Federal elections has there
been rumor Of wrong OF any kind. II
the election was 10 DO carried by such
means, they would not have been con-
fined to one box, which contained less
than 500 Republican majority. But this,
like the greater crime which followed, was
not the act Of the community, nor that OF
the Democratic party; but Il was the aci
OF certain unknown persons, and Is more
generally and more strongly condemned
In Arkansas than anywhere else.
Oulmgcs upon the ballot, not OF this
kind, perhaps, but II respectfully gubmitl
Just IN grave aud reprehonslble, are, un
fortunately, too common In all sections o
the Union. This, Of course, Is no excuse
for wrong-doing in Arkansas. Tho hon
esty, patriotism and good sense Of the
American people will correct these wrong
there and elsewhere. Tho State govern
ment set up In Arkansas In utter disregard
Of the rights aud wishes Of the people, and
maintained by tho Federal Government
introduced these nciarious practices there
Since Il has been removed and govern
ment by the people organized, lew In
stances Of the kind have occurred Ia III,
State, and these have been most hearth,
condemned by our own people. The his
tory Of the most favored State shows tina
crime cannot be entirely suppressed; bu
Arkansas IL as successful In that direction
MS any other State In the Union; and al
fair inquiry will show that the State is, ant
will continue to be, equal to the regulatoI
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