The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1904-01-08
: STORIES
OF Reconstruction
Days.
UnpurchaSable Negroes Contrast
ed With White Ward
HeelerS.
ode srRoP DO HURT SO BAD


ripe when, In the autumn of 1869, 1
left Mississippi and was absent two
or three years. What a change was
revealed In 1873! was welcomed
back, 1t Is true, with open arms by
the old mammies--the uncles and the
aunts, but only on my own personal
accounts. At the mere whisper OF
politics, a cloud, impenetrable, came
over the face of the new ruler of the
States destinies.
Uncle Reuben would have died for
me on any line of life that was not
political.
"Uncle Reuben" said 1, at one OF
the elections, 81 don't ask you to
vote the Democratic ticket, for 1t
would be useless. But you Republic
ans, this time, have failed to nomi-
nate a candidate for Congress. The
Hon. H. D. Money Is our own country
man! he'll be elected, of course, but
we want him to 60 to Washington
with the biggest possible vote. Our
district needs river improvements;
your interest Is the same as mine and
other white people. Let me see your
ticket and fill up the blank space with
Mr.. Moneys name. l won't change
letter that you don't ask me to.
You don't think I'd take the mean
advantage of deceiving you, do your
"Lawd, no, Mars Jack! I'd trust
you turder'n airy wife man liboin!"
replied Uncle Reuben, taking thumb
and forefnger grip on his printed
ballot and thrusting 1t deep down In
to his pocket, "but Martin Carpet
Dagger, CUB US ticket apiece more'n
two mont's ago and made us promise
not ter let no wife man pnt his ham
on 1t, an l can't go back on my
word. Furgimme dis time!'
And all at once rose the vision OF
thousands of Uncle Reubens, as Uncle
Reubens were during the war, as they
hurried to the canebrakes to hide out
with the stock, the jewelry and with
everything entrusted to their care
when the inkling OF Yankee raid
reached them-how they had guarded
our sainted mothers, sisters and little
brothers (who were the only white
males lett on the old plantations),
and down the tide of the drifting
years came from far of and halt-for-
COTTON time the mystic music OF "My
Old Kentucky Home" or WAY
Down Upon de S'wanee River" as in
the golden age of slavery the songs
had been sung in the negro quarters
and 1 forgave him then, as this day
still forgive him.
want to put this on record for the
negro: The politician could go into
the wards of the great white cities OF
white civilization and buy hundred
white votes, while he could not buy a
single negro vote during the days Of
reconstruction. Put that to his cred
1t. The cause to which he was
pledged was In Itself base one-on
his part sadly mistaken one-but
he played the hero's part az he up
held It. He could not be bought.
He would start hungry In the morn
Ing, leave hungry vile and chill
dren at home and walk ten miles to
the polling place, reject every offer Of
a bride, and 60 back hungrier still.
bat he would "vote de publikin ticket
every time" How many white men
show such Spartan courage nowl
Call the rolll Stand up and answer,
Juiius Caesar! Gen. Andrew Jackson
Grover Cleveland! Sayoyard! How
many of you and other big and brainy
men would go down, dead of starva-
ton, to the dark and noisome grave
to maintain mere partisan principle
or policy, If you prefer to call SO!
In 1867 l was, In small town,
the editor, In a small way, of a small
newspaper, and begged of the white
Legislature to at once enact law
making the negro competent wit
ness, not las weak and bleared Intel
lects supposedly to confer a privilege,
but to impose an obligation. l urged
that even In "old slavery times" the
negro should have been made wit
ness, as during that period the mule,
piece of rope, lock of hair or a
/ splotch of blood was called to the wit
mes box. How do you suppose the
\sp head of the great and talented
er family, editing the Jackson
answered the propositions
re is no political future for