The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-01-06

Holes into which q reverent seeker alter
truth, in any department OF human inves-
tigation may not boldly enter in-not only
may not, but will add must not, enter in.
And us We tonight confront the duties
which are laid upon us it is well that we
should accept these truths in their relation
to those duties.
i have come, more than for anything
else to say to you-and through you, as
far rs may be able TO make myself heard,
TO the people OF the South" and most
especially to those States OF the South that
are commonly called the planting or cot
ton States-that there can be no political
revolution, no temporary success of POI
litical party, which can on the one hand
free you from the obligations which Prov
idence has imposed on you, nor on the
other hand prevent YOU from the realiza-
ton of the destinies which Providence
has designed for you. Whatever may
have been the purpose in permitting the
cargo OF Africans TO be landed upon our
shores, and the consequent institution OF
African slavery in our midst; whatever
may have been the faults, the follies, the
vices or the virtues OF our foreiathers in
any part OF these United States, connected
with this grave and sad institution, we
now find among us that black population
amounting probably TO 1000 900 or more,
so scattered among the white people that
in sixteen States they are sufficiently mum
erous TO be an element OF great power, and
in certain number OF these States 10 out
number the white population. They are
in the midst OF a people who believe that
man was created free aud equal; they are
| under the protection OF Constitution
which makes them legally the equal OF the
white people among whom they are scat
tered, with all the rights and privileges
aud duties OF American citizenship. And
we who believe in the verify OF the Divine
Revelation 20 one step further and do not
hesitate to include them among those for
whom Christ died on Calvary.
We cannot shut our eyes 10 the GER
tainty that they arc with us, not only for
our generation, but for the generations
which are 10 follow us: that they are u
factor OF most significant importance in
| the development which awaits us aud our
children in our future. The general Gov.
eminent, To which We and they owe al.
lcgiancc, cannot in the nature Of things bc
controlled 10y the sixteen States in which
the institution OF slavery was recognized
twenty years ago. The large major.
ity of the people Of the United States r..
side IN the twenty-five States which are
sometimes called the North; aud not only
have these States not this population IN
any dangerous numbers among them, but
they have every temptation growing out ol
the use AMI power OF the Federal Govern
ment, to make such advantage OF these
people, their past and present condition,
rs 10 continue themselves In the posses
sion aud control OF the great powers given
10 those who have possession 'oi tho Fed
eral Government. We must not, how
ever, forget that these Northern people
are our kinsmen, our fellow. citizens, aud
that they are in the main anxious 10 per-
form their duties in proper, and | DO moi
| hesitate 10 add, Christian manner. We
must also bear In mind that the very wors
Use to which You can put human being
In community Is 10 prescribe him W that
he becomes hopeless. II Is impossible e
cXargerate the difference % these South
ern States between having sovcn millions
Of hopeless colored people and seven mill
ions Of conicnied colorcd people In theil
midst.
Tho nature Of the problem therefore pre-
scented to You may b. somewhat expressed
thus How Is II possible 10 preserve TO IN,
people OF the sixteen Southern States ih'
control OF their affairs and the prcscrva
ton Of their institutions. their civilization
and their wealth. consistently with the
con,entment of the seven millions 81 bacl
people resident therein This must b
solved.
have not the slightest doubt that !, vii
be successfully solved. Precisely how.
...s ..-.......a.l A.. that n
generation can fully understand, for Il doe,
not dcyolyc upon us 10 mako the solution
entiic. We arc only RESPONSIBLE for u
proper treatment during our generation
/ duuol hesitate 30 say that | have no alarn
at the election Of a Republican Prcsiden
and the control Of Congress by the Hepub
lican party. ~ 10 the ultimate sncccssfu
solution oi this problem. The return o
the sad, harsh aud corrupt days Of recon
slruction Is as impossible ~ Tia, rc-cn
slaycment OF the negro. Tho country hU
gone beyond, never 10 return, the institu
tion Of slavery; IL has passed ioreyc
beyond the DAYS oi arbitrary, dcapotic an,
corrupt reconstruction. There may b,
Temporary annoyancuA II turbulent an,
INSCRIPTIONS men, who are IN the mat
the noi.iest OF the politicians who at pre-.
NllA NlN ANN INNlNt wv NANN NlN|NN way
, there may be- local disturbances In whicl
there may unfortunately be bloodshed
! Good works may be temporarily cmbai
raised, u not stopped, but iho great cui
! rent OF profess aud development cannG
. be arrested by any political party. II
! not possible. Nor eau those tcmpprar
{ embarrassmenis bc miiigiicl 10y cowariic
I or cringng. They will be- greatly increased
. | n -
/. called prudent. but which always Is COW
] ardly. which simply means that the dut
which We ought 10 perform shall he pei
! formed, not according 10 our conscience
. but according 10 the supposed conscicnC
= OF our enemy that you are not 10 10 VIII
. under the circumstances your own maj
] hood and sense OF right seem 10 rcquin
4 but you arr 90 do what the supposed ~
= litical necessities Of your adversary ma
y demand at your hands. This always mean
o personal degradation In him who docs
I. aud always. by Divine rciiibuiion, NEAR
y temporary defeat,
1 On the other hand. there can be I
. palmer proposition than that VIC shoul
2 not permit any indignation AZ political d
u ponenls 10 tempt us 10 unkinlnoss 10 the
I humble people placed by Providence
: our midst On the QUO hand We ought
u do our duty NJ II seems 10 NJ beat, pr
J. clscly ~ u We were In possession u u
4 Federal Government. On the other han
J. We ought 10 DO as generous ~ u We We
:, In possession Of all the powers that cou
be given 20 u.s. II Is In this spirit that ,
y ought TO meet this problem, aud Il IL
Is this spirit, aud this spirit alone that I
l. eau solve H.
!. do not know how to impress uPoa 20