Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-07
TUNIs G, CAMPBELL.
Story of One of the Greatest Ras-
Gals of Reconstruction Times.

Gals OF Reconstruction Times,
Darien Ca Cor. AHGatG Constitution.
Tunis G. Campbell, the negro politician
OF reconstruction period fame, who, by
dint of brazen etfrontery, combined with
an extraordinary degree of cunning and
affected affability of disposition, for a long
time recognized as supreme municipal
and political dictator in Mcintosh county,
Is, 1t Is said, ending his unenviable career
In some obscure corner of Rhode Island.
Although now subjects of mfrth, the
actions of this overbearng ignoramus
were at the time extremely humiliatlng,
particularly to the whites who had differ
ences to submit to him, as before those he
was especially anxious to display his
erudition, his authority and his illimitable
power.
When white man appeared before him,
either as witness, plaintiff or defendant,
Justice Campbell would mould his
features into heinOus scOwl and turn
his dusky and distorted countenance in
the direction of such person so as to
thoroughly impress him with the majesty
OF the law. Then he would pick up a
huge Anticipated volume and appear to
be deeply absorbed in some intricate
legal question, After awhile his face
would brighten up somewhat as with an
Irresistible blandness he would nod, in
token OF encouragement, TO some ras-
cally falsehood- negro.
He wore pair Of heavily gold-rlmmed
spectacles, and 1t is probable that these,
in conjunction with the arts of the dema-
gogue which he had so thoroughly mas
tered, were the tallsmanic powers by the
AID OF which he so completely swayed his
adherents.
Under his fostering care the adesire for
petty litigation became Infectious. If the
contestants were snort of cash, Campbell
would permit the costs of court, ETC., TO
be paid with chickens, corn, potatoes or
other farm products, and, strange to say,
the negroes would sooner deprive them
selves Of the necessaries Of life than to
neglect to satisfy the demands Of their
fraudulent chief.
When 1t suited his purpose Campbell
would call political mass meetings, and
while, as matter of course, he would be
chairman, he always took care to have
his scottish son appointed secretary. After
discussing local and national politics the
demlgOd would touch upon business ques-
tons.
You are being imposed upon" he
would say; "bring your cotton to me and
L Will see that no advantage is taken OF
you"
Bales Of cotton came by the score and
were put in Campbel's charge. lie went
to savannah, sold the cotton, and re-
turned, but the owners OF the cotton rarely
saw any of the proceeds.
Despite repeated impOsitiOns of this
nature no complaints were made of
Campbell by those OF his own race. To
utter one disresp4cttUl word OF him meant
certain political ostraclsm, and partici-
patton in politics was then to The average
negro what fairy tale Is to tLe average
child.
To Judge Henry 3. Tompkins belongs
the honor Of putting an end to the abort
I've career of this mOnstrOsity, and TO MIN
does Mcintosh feel indebted for IL.
The personal courage OF Judge Tomp-
kins was never more brightly eXemplited
than when he, in the faces OF thousands of
inluriated and venEeauce-threatenIn ne.
groes, sentenced their idol to a term In
the penitentiary, and 1t was by the merest
chance that the gallant Judge escaped
bodily hurt on the occasion.
After having served his term in the
penItentiary Campbell was brought back
10 Darien to further, by mis- Influence, the
political interests OF one or two white
men; but he found that he had no longer
any grip. The superstltiOus veneration
Of his followers had vanished, aud he
wisely left the field where he had 50 often
conquered, but where he no longer cOu ld
rely on anything save the contempt of
those he had so mercilessly duped.