Daily Republican., 1879-06-17
CHALMERS STRATEGY.
A Remarka able Tale C0ncer ming mis-
Campalgn tor sest in Congress.

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The Chicago "Tribuns" in . recent
issue says: A gentleman in this city,
who spent some time in the South dur
ing the exciting times of 1876, gives
some facts relating to ths election OF
Gen. Chalmers to the Congress Of the
United States in that year which have
never been published. The district
from which he was elected had been
filed for tive terms by Jno. r. Lynch,
who is represented as being q oolored
man of high character, great capability,
and honesty. 1t was inhabited almost
exclusively by colored people. When
the Legislature ofthe State re-districted
Mississippi, a long strip Of territory ly-
ing along the river being low, swslnpy,
and comparatively worthless was set
apart for Lynch's constituents, and
called the "Shoestring District"
This strip was about 100 miles long
by three or tour miles wide. Lynch
was elected by the almost unanimous
vote of the population. ln 1876, Chal-
mers happened to live ia that district.
lie concluded he would like 10 60 to
Congress, and set about devising a plan
by which he might overcome Lynch's
enormous maj ,rity and elect himself.
The task did not seem to be q promis-
ing one, but with a resolution worthy
Of better cause, and by the employ
ment of tactics showing how we'll he
knew the negro character and the cir
cumstancps in which they were placed,
he succeeded in carrying his point. He
visit, d Jackson, the capital of the
State, and informed the Governor and
other officials of his political aspra-
tions.
The idea Of his attempting to carry
the distsict against Lynch was thought
too absurd to receive a moments con-
Chalmers said, "Gentle-
men, you need not laugh. II | can get
help, l will show you that can so in
to the district and beat Lynch He
was asked what assistance hs required.
He replied that he wanted three pieces
of artillery and a band Of music. The
novel campaign machinery, the like ot
which was probably never employed
before, was readily furnished the
General, and he started out
with his speeches in his pocket for a
most extraordinary tour. His plan OF
procedure was as follows: On approach
ing a small village, he would unlimber
one of his pieces and discharge it into
the cane.
The familiar roar of the artillery sa-
luted the ears of the sleeping darkeys,
and filled their hearts with apprehen-
sion. The second piece was dischsrg-
ed, and then the third. By this time
all the negroes in the country around
within hearing of the terrible echoes of
the cannon Were terribly aroused at
the strange occurrence, and those in
the country came crowding into the
village TO learn what it all meant. There
all was commotion, excitement and un-
certainty. The women gathered their
young ones and started for the swamps.
The men sent ont skirmishers to take
observations and report what was go
ing on. Having succeeded by this
means in collecting the people, the
General ordered the band to play, and
marched into town with his artillery
following him. Here he halted and
informed the people that his intentions
were entirely peaceful.
He told them that he wanted to be
elected to Congress. He desired to in
form them that he was better friend
of the colored race than Lynch was.
The Democratic party was the only
party of principles, and he wished them
to understand the issues. He told
them that he proposed to talk them on
some day in the future, and he desired
to have them all come out and listen.
lie told them he wanted them to go
Immediately to work and form Tild-n
Clubs. When he approached the town
ON the day on which he was to speak,
he expected them to meet him a little
distance away and escort him into the
village.
Having completed these arrangements,
be then proceeded to another village,
until he had canvassed the entire dis
trict. He then began speech making
tour, and was invariably greeted by
large audiences. The negroes, says our
informant, seemed to bs imbued with
the idea that if they did not do as they
were instructed, another war would
break out in which they would all be
exterminated. Ths result of this cam
paign was. that Chalmers carried the
district by over 5000 majority. This
Was the way in which Chalmers gained
his election.
Fell over u CMlveri.
A man named Calver while in an in