The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1894-07-20
He STANDS BY BULLOCK
Mr. McOlure's Second Letta,
BullOck's Political Career Imme-
diafelv Aftor an NJ

ne was success is attested bv the
TACT that he entered the service nc =
private and closed holding the rank
OF brigadier-general; that he was
loyal when cause faithfully performed
every duty assigned; was a humane
and kin commander, as the deviation
and affection of the men who served
under him universally testify. When
ever you find one of Bullock,s sob
dlers you find an advocate and true
friend.
Wnen the war closed and Bullock
sheathed his sword he recognized that
the war was over and his next best
duty was allegiance to the government
under which he had to live, and he
was the first man in Marion county to
take the oath of allegiance to the
United States. For this he was Sc
verely criticised by the hot heads. to
which he paid no attention.
In 1865 two northern men came to
ocaia fresh from the north, and the
irst who came after the war. They
were looking for place to do BUSH
ness as merchar Is, but they hesitated
on account of the strong prejudice
they found against northern men and
were about TO leave when they met
and made tie acquaintance of Ger.
Bullock. They found him approach
able, conservative and ready to take
any man by the hand who came to
the south for legitimate business pur-
poses. The general allayed their
fears; they removed their purpose to
go into business at Ocala, took the
general IN as a partner. Again the
hot heads unsparingly criticised The
general and many declared he had
forfeited the confidence of his associ-
ates. He still paid no attention to
them, knowing he had the support
ofall reasonable and sensible
men and the firm did a successful
business.
In 1866, under what is commonly
known as the Johnson reconstruction,
when the time came for electing the
various officers, the general had
agreed with his northern partners
that they would keep out of politics
and attend strictly to business, and
he had no thought of asking for or Sc
curing an Office. Many of his friends,
however, insisted that he was entitled
to any Office he wished, while his ene-
mics Though he had but few insisted
that he had been entirely "too pre-
vious" In his recognition of things
northern, and he should not be recog-
nized officially, under the Johnson
reconstruction. This rather irritated
the general, aud his partners released
him from ms obligations not to accept
Office, with the understanding that he
would simply allow his friends 10 an
nounce him rs a candidate for the of
flee Of judge Of probate, as that office
would take him from his business the
least. The general did not leave his
place OF business nor solicit a single
vote but was elected by large major
ity over one Of the best and strongest
men in the county. The general fire.
quently said that the triumph gave
him unevinced pleasure with the sim
gle exception that he had defeated a
man for whom he had the very high
est respect and esteem and who was
more worthy of the office than he.
When the state government was
fully organized TO meet the new order
of things judlcially, a county crimi-
nal court was established, with ju-
risdiction very similar to the present
criminal court. Gen. Bullock, with
cut asking for the appointment or
knowing anything about receiving
the appointment Of judge of this
court until Capt. +. ID. House bore
him the news accompanied by his
commission. The general declined to
accept the appointment, but the sem
timent was so universal that he should
DO 80 that he yielded to the importu-
mites. Every old citizen, white and
black. remembers how impartially
aud fairly he administered the trying
duties Of his new position.
Not long after this the general COM
manding the military department., in
which Florida was embraced, APP
pointed the general the agent of the
Freedman's Bureau. Again the peo-
pie demanded he should accept this
buFdensome, thankless and most ex-
acting position, and he again yielded
70 their opportunities. No one expect
e, him to pull through this trying or
deal without conflicts and difficulties
with both the old master and the
freed man, as the law made il his duty
70 examine and approve every con-
tract which had 10 be in writing be-
tween the employer and employee,
but Il was the wonder and praise OF
everybody how successfully he man
aged for year this most novel sta
tion 10 the people.
Upon the destruction of the john
son reconstruction and the advent 70
power Of the second reconstruction IN
ls's, when the state government Went
into the hands Of those with whom
Gen. Bullock felt he could not ofiin-
ale, he retired to private life ana
there remained until 1873, when com
mences one Of the most remarkaDle
political careers that any man ~
Florida politics ever had or ever VII
nave. - far as seeking Office goes, anu
which 4 viii make the subject OF an,
othef communication In when
shall DO able 10 show that Bullock
unseliish democracy ranks TOO high
~ too ancient and lnaullied TO be tar