The bee., 1882-06-10
HOW THEY Do 1T,

znSfQe U0Ts.tnQS OF the Democratic party
in the Southern States are unknown to
those never having had the opportun-
lilies that we have of knowing, we pro-
pose in this article, as briefly as we
possibly can, to do justice to the sub
ject, to turn on the light and let the
world see how the affairs, mis-called
elections, are conducted in one Of the
Congressional districts in the State of
Alabama, viz, the 4th.
Before proceeding to the main object
of tLis article, it may be proper to in
form the public something of the op
portunities that we have of knowing q
little about Southern politics and poll.
ticians. To be brief, we were the first
eolored man to whom an official oath
ever was administered in the State of
Alabama, having been commissioned by
General Pope as registrar of voters for
the 18th Senatorial district In that
State, June 6, 1867. After completion
of duties imposed by our commission,
we canvassed the State in favor of the
constitutional convention which was to
organize civil government; convention
carried, was one of its officers; can
vassed the State in favor of ratification
of the constitution framed by the con-
vention and submitted to the people
for approval or disapproval; under the
new constitution was nominated for the
legislature and elected at the same time
the vote was taken on the constitution
was member of the convention held in
in 1867, for the organization of the
Union Republican party in Alabama,
and member of committee on plat
form, and with Mr.. Rspier, drew up the
plank which was inserted in it declaring
for the drst time in that State the civil
and political equality of all men before
tie law !; a member of every convention
held in our county, (Elmore.l Congress
sional district and State, from 1867 to
1914 was a delegate to the Philadel-
phia Convention in 1872, and Secretary
of the delegation from our State, voted
for Grant and Wilson, the vote OF sixteen
of our delegation saving Mr., Wilson from
defeat as candidate for tho vice Presi-
dency; was delegate to the convention
of eolored men held in New Orleans,
April 1872, whereat we opposed going in
Go the Greeley movement, was second
vice president, Hon. Frederick Doug lass,
resident and Col James Ingraham
FIRST vice; was appointed TO q position
in The Treasury Department in this city,
May 6. ls77. In short, we have taken
IN active part in the political affairs Of
and the South In various capa-
cities, from the organization Of the Re
publican party in that State in 1867 30
1874, when the State was seized upon
by the bulld0zing DomocrRts Of that
State. We have eEnvassed the State
lime and again from the Tennessee
river 10 the Gulf Of Mexico, and from
Georgia 10 Mississippi and know and
Am known by every leading man in the
State, white, black, Democratic and
By the foregoing irnper-
fect statement it will be seen that uur
facilities for knowing some little about
5he political affairs in the South, I've
have spoken in several States not men
5ioned, have been ample, and we leave |
It for others to say whether or not we
our opportunities.
To the point: In September, 1878, |
1t the instance of Col. Thomas B.
Keogh, of North Carolina, and Hon.
George M. Duskin, of Alabama, we left |
Dur position in the Treasury Depart
nent for the purpose of taking part in
he Congressional campaign in Alabama,
eennseen to be insugurated in that
State, and arrived at Selma in time to be
n convention, whereat Hon. Jere Harral-
ION was nominated.
The Democrats had in the field Gen.
,ral Shelley, and DR.. Henry had taken
he stump as an Independent Green
,acker. Right here it will be proper to
how the relative strength of the two
not counting DIR. Henry, as
le had no following, and we will base
heir relative strength for convenience
Ipon color, leaving the white Repub-
leans out of the count, although many
4 them, it is to be presumed, voted for
dr. Harralson. Our readers will bear
q mind that we are now presenting to
hem the way they do it count out Re-
ublicsns and count in Democrats in
be Fourth Congressional District of
LA. and what we are about to show
nay be taken as fair sample Of The
ray they do it il all Republican dis.
ricts in the South, where the black
Ote exceeds that of the white. We
ow give the vote Of the two parties by
,unties in Said District based on color ,
J shown by the State Registration in
$50, WHITE. CoDoRED. |
alias, 1,6S5 5000 I
ale, 9Sl 4,34O I
.x,,r L.. 1 T07 X 10S / >