The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-09-01

that my ballot contained the name OF
| Lewis Moore, his cOuntenance darkened
and he asked me how / came to tender
my vote there.
You have not been in this country
long enough, sir, said he.
Il have, SIR was my reply, but it was
made in a quiet tone, and entirely differ
ent from that in which he addressed me.
But you have been constantly away,
running around after the Indians" he
continued; how is it you wish to vote
here?'
Because" was my response, Il am
registered in the service for this place
But you can't be allowed to vote, sir,
he persisted.
began at once to explain my view of
the people, and felt that had a right to
vote at any polls in the State, when he
stopped me, saying:
1T is useless to multiply words. You
can't vote"
then left the courthouse, went to the
hotel and got my pistolS-a splendid pair
of Navy revoivers-and returned immedi-
ately, and seeing my movements, a num-
Der of Union men followed me, crowding
the room in which the election was held.
! Nearly all of them We're old, Cray-haired
/ veterans, who had devoted their lives to
the service of the State and were as in
corrupible patriots as ever trod on Ameri-
can soil.
Laying my ballot on the table, l adj
dressed Mr.. Chamberlain with:
| "Sir, have come to vote
He looked at me, hesitated moment,
glanced at my hand, which was on my
pistol. and the crowd of Union men around
me, the countenanceS of every one of
whom evinced a fixed determination the
meaning of which he could not mistake,
and then turned TO the judges, but said
not word.
Put that ticket in the box, and record
my name" said l. calmly, but firmly.
| He did not need another bidding, but
slowly dropped the ticket in the box, took
up his pen, and was about to record my
name when the Major said
| THE law requires vote to be sworn in,
after it has been challenged"
VERY well, sir, said |, IF the law re-
quires it, will lie sworn
| He then produced Bible, and holding
it out to me, laid my left hand on it, and
the oath was administered, after which
the book was held up toward my mouth,
but stepped back.
do you refuse to kiss the b0Gk!' SAID
/ the Judge.
yes SIR" replied.
For what reason he continued.
Because the law does not require it, T"
was my response.
| Chamberlain then registered my name,
and walked out of the courthouse.
| This was not an isolated instance of the
persecution of Union voters. The polls
were at length closed and Coke cOolly de-
clared elected, in spite Of the SmallnesS
| of the vote. though this was one OF the
most pOpuIouS Counties in central Texas,
and in defiance OF the fact that a large
majority of the people were opposed to
secession. But the malcontents were
demonstrative, and had secretly organized
and armed themselves, and had the con-
| troll of the polls, and no Union man APP
preached but felt that his life was Ieopar-
died by the act.
There was a remarkable difference be-
| tween the appearance OF the two parties.
The SecessionistS were mostly young
men. who were both ambitious and fanat-
| ical and who had been aed aStray by art
| ful demagogs, who. had IAN ak to grind.
They were noisy, and many OF them before
| the sun had reached lis meridian were
drunk. They were(chiefiy OF that class OF
| foaters who have no interest at stake,
| and whose diSSolute habits are the bane
Of the society in WHICH they flourish.
| The UnioniStS on the other hand, were
! generally venerable men who had done
/ much service during the many wars III
which the State had been involved. They
| had fought to render Texas independent
! and had given their voices for her anncxa
! ton to the Union, and they strenuous!y re
sisted q faction which proposed to undt
/ the work which mad cost them so much
They possessed property and character
and were not TO be >wayed by every dema
cog who sought preferment and office
Such was the condition OF affairs as lar a!
my observation extended: such, learned
/ was the situation throughout the State OIL
that eventful day.
TO be continued.)