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

OF yesterday:
HISTORY OF MEMPHIS ByJ NJ Keating sy.
racuse D. Mason 4 Co.
The rapid strides OF civilization in mod
orn times impose upon the historian OF to-
day responsibilities and labors out Of all
proportion TO the responsibilities and
labors Of the historian of antiquity.
The province OF history has been
enlarged TO meet the demands and ne
finds, in order TO comprehend the onward
movements OF society, he must beconyers-
ant with every department OF knowledge,
not in general outline, but with the precis-
ion and accuracy of specialist. 1t there
fore requires the highest order Of intellect
uality, the most painstaSing and assidrous
powers OF investigation, and varied and
fruitful experience TO gatherup the threads
OF history and 80 harmohiously weave rs
TO make them live in the memory Of man.
History Possesses peculiar destinations, but
in this utilitarian and practical age she has
few votaries In the busy avocations OF
life men prefer 10 make rather than write
history, and 1t Is only now and then a
Sallust can be found who can afford to
leave record Of tho events which no
partly made and partly witnessed. Nor
does the value OF history consist so much
In things written about rs in the mode Of
treatment Hugh Miller gained renown
out of the rough sandstones OF Scotland,
while Smollctt made an gnoble failure in
tracing the annals Of a glorious period Of
England.
II Ia, therefore. gratifying TO note that
two distinguished citizens of West Tcnncs- !
see within the last year, amid the disruc. !
tons Of other duties, have penned In |
strong and trenchant language the rise and
growth of the city Of Memphis and the
State Of Tennessee Mr.. Phclan is the
present Representative OF this district in
3D. the Congress Of the United States Mr.
Heating Is the able editor Of TnE ArrEAl,
yet each, though belonging 10 the came |
political party, has been able, from differ |
ent standpoints. TO present Ia the public
history indicating profound scholarship
and commendable research. We have read
both with interest, bat We are not at pres
ent concerned with the work OF Mr. Phe-
Ian. As to the hstoryoi Memphis by Mr..
Heating, We predict u will grow in popular
favor with each succeeding generation.
When once the 500 pages attached rs an
appendix shall have been eliminated from
the volume, It will find prominent place
In the libraries OF the country and b. rn-
gardUd as an authority Of great weight
It's title gives no index 10 is character
The aspiration Is broad; the arrangement
skilliul; the matter choice and well se-
lcclcd. Regarding this work ~ a fair illus.
traiion Of the development of those prnci.
piles, which have made aud In n measure
impaired the American system Of munici-
pal government, Il Justly deserves to arouse
the attention OF the casual reader for It's
literary merits ard Of the thinker for It's
philosophical reflections.
The opening chapters briefly sketch the |
discovery vi this country. including the |
romantic march OF bcsolo from the sea 10 |
the Chickusaw Bluffs ON the Mississippi.
the condition Of the Indian population,
and the rapid cncruachmcnt OF the white
raoc upon their Wild aud fertile lands
The account dors not differ materially
from the more elaborate description oi
Bancroft, nor locs the author disclose the
same through knowledge vi Indian char.
actor ~ shown by Mr. Claiborne in his
identity had no other intention than to
give the reader n full and complete picture,
and sought 10 avoid prolxiiy ON the ono
hand and originality or speculation on the
other.
The settlements oi all the Territories oi
the United States mp 90 the nineteenth
century were alike ~ 10 the method and
character OF men. Upon the formation oi
State, the common law oi England WIS
adopted aud pat IN lorcc. with such modi.
hcaiions ~ ihcrpirit ol the times required,
and the Constitution OF the United states
secund. The men wcc shrayc, hardy,
impccunious pioneers, Injured 10 danger,
Gwaycd with hope and longing for change.
But 10 brave danger WIS essential, 90 be- dis
contcnicd was natural, 10 change could
do no harm. They had everything 90 gain
aud nothing 10 loss Tho facility loT
taking up the choice lands III the country
induced great numbers oi persons, pm.
cipally thusc without means. 10 umigrtle
20 the frontier. poor man with seldom
morn than a single pack horse, on which
the wife and infant wcrc carried, with a
lew clothes aud bed quilts, a skillet and q
small sack Of meal, was often seen wrnd.
ing bis way along the narrow mountain
trace, with rifle upon his shoulder. the
elder son carrying an nX, a hoe. some
times an anger and a Eaw, aud the older
daughter leading or carrying the smaller
chiidpn. without dollar In his pocket
when be arrived nt the distant frontier,
the cmigrant became Ut once large land
owner. such men laid the foundations Of
society aud government In tennessee.
They brought no wealth with them,
but what was Ear better, they had in.
dusirious aud frugal habits. they had
hafdihood aud enterprise aud fearless
ness and scll.fcliancc. Faye $50 The
early chruniclcu seem 30 place great
importance upon this bold mlyentur.
Gus spirit displayed by tho early set.
tiers, but We can not sec that II differ,
IN degree from the spirit existing today In
all those men who are rcady 10 risk iic
aud health in any employment in order n
bring comfort aud case to their dependent
families Bravery IL a Characteristic qual.
Wy In the Ango-saxon race. and IL morn
strongly manifested now than ever bciorn.
Tho dash, courage and enterprise OF liy.
ingston and stanley In penetrating The
wilds Of Africa, the sterling hor0ism shown
by Greedy In bis Arctic exploration; tht
roOl, determined nCryc OF Gen. u. Forrcs
bciorr the mob nj the iailhousc %. y
aud the heroic stand taken by Gen. LUX,
- Wright a, the uprising u the negfou
amid the terrible yellow fever scourg,
(p. y are exhibitions Of a more mani,
spirit than ever boone, Crockett OF Birn
vile showed In their raids upon the In
offensive Indians. Tho former dodicatul
their best qualities 10 the cause OF Ecicnc
and humanity the latter represent, II