Year: 1879

Memphis Appeal.


A careful survey of the city re-
veals the fact that the population
has been cut down to about fifteen
thousand, of which not more than
four thousand are whites, and of
these fully one-haf have had the
yellow fever during one or the
other of the preceding epidemics.
From these figures there is reason to
hope that, although the disease may
prevail until November, and carry
off many victims, it cannot find any
thing like the number il took from
us even in the epidemic of 1873.
Add to this the fact, generally ad-
mitted by all the doctors, that the
fever is Of an unusually mild type,
and that the weather is not at all
favorable to the dissemination Of
febrile diseases; that the atmosphere
is purer than ii was at this time last
year, and there are some grounds
for qualification il not congratuIa-
ton. BY this evening the second
and largest camp will be established,
with accommodations for fully fif-
teen hundred persons. Ifthat num-
ber can be induced to avail them
selves of its advantages for health
and almost certain immunity from
yellow fever, we may confidently
count upon no white persons being
left in the city but those who, ac-
cOrding to the medical authorities,
are proof against the fever. The
Father Mathew camp has been
established at the same place as last
year, and we learn that about four
hundred persons have taken up
their abode there until the epidem-
ic, to be declared on Sunday, is
over. The Howard Association is
ready for work, and on and after
to-day, DIR. ID. II. Porter, the efh-
cient head of the Taxing District
government, will have the assist
ance of a committee of safety, an
advisory council, who will direct
the expenditure of moneys and the
distribution of food for the camps or
the sick. 1t will be composed of
respectable citizens of both colors,
and besides the execution of fidu-
ciary trusts will assist the doctor in
carrying out any measures he may
deem or that may become necessary
to maintain the public peace. Look
ing to possible emergency of this
character, the police and flremen
have been strengthened in numbers,
and both departments, under eXpe-
rienced chiefs may be relied upon
for most efficient and prompt SER
vice. Besides these, two companies
of troops-the Zouaves and the
Mcclellan Guards, both colOred-
have been called into service by the
Governor, the military command
having been committed to Captain
Cameron, of the Bluff City Grays,
who, with the rank of Colonel,
represents the Governor, as q MEM
ber of his staff, with full powers for
any possible angry condition of
affairs. AS to food, there is lowing
to recent large shipments) sufficient
for all who are here until the epi-
demic is over, and it is believed
that our own citizens will supple
ment the ten thousand rations ten
dered by the Government with
sums sufficient to save the commu-
nifty from the degradation of begga-
ry which, during 1873 and 1878, our
necessities compelled us to endure.
A few of our more wealthy COM
mercial houses and one or more Of
our wealthiest property owners
have sent in liberal subscriptions Of
money, that will DOUBTLESS be fol-
lowed by others. 1t should be the
pride and pleasure of evtiry Mem
phian who loves his home and its
people to go as far as his means will
permit in saving us from an atti-
tude as needy suppliants before the
whole world. 1T is the determina-
ton of DIR. Porter and those who
will compose his council to conduct
affairs with rigid and scrupulous
economy. Those who want food
will be compelled to go to the camps
for it-that is, they will have to
take up their residence in camp to
be certain of daily bread. 1t will
thus be seen that every contingency
of epidemic has been provided for,
that preparations for the sick that
have not so far been needed have
long been made by the HOwards,
that all has been done that is posi-
bic to clear the city Of its popula-
tion, that protection for life and
property have been thoroughly pro-
vided for, and all has been accomp-
lished without asking for one dollar
from any outside source: 1T is
hoped, let us here say, that be
fore that emergency is sprung
upon us the State, through her Leg
islature, will make an appropriation
that will be all-sufiicient for the
occasion. IL so, our position will be
one on which we can pride our
selves as community, and viii be
q great incentive 10 the work tf