The Facts of Reconstruction | Page 6

Grant, it was strongly contended, was virtually a vote against
the Union. Frederick Douglass, who electrified many audiences in that
campaign, made the notable declaration that "While Washington had
given us a country, it was Grant who had saved us a country." And yet
the savior of our country failed in that election to save to the
Republican party the most important State in the Union. But,
notwithstanding the loss of New York, the Republicans not only
elected the President and Vice-President, but also had a safe majority in
both branches of Congress.
One of the first acts of Congress after the Presidential election of 1868
was one authorizing the President to submit Mississippi's rejected
Constitution once again to a popular vote. The same act authorized the
President to submit to a separate vote such clause or clauses of said
Constitution as in his judgment might be particularly obnoxious to any
considerable number of the people of the State. It was not and could not
be denied that the Constitution as a whole was a most admirable
document. The Democrats had no serious objection to its ratification if
the clause disfranchising most of their leaders were eliminated. When it
became known that this clause would be submitted to a separate vote,
and that the Republican organization would not insist upon its retention,
no serious opposition to the ratification of the Constitution was
anticipated. And, indeed, none was made.
The time fixed for holding the election was November, 1869. In the
mean time the State was to be under military control. General Adelbert
Ames was made Military Governor, with power to fill by appointment
every civil office in the State. Shortly after General Ames took charge
as Military Governor the Republican club at Natchez agreed upon a

slate to be submitted to the Military Governor for his favorable
consideration, the names upon said slate being the choice of the
Republican organization of the county for county and city officials.
Among the names thus agreed upon was that of the Rev. H.P. Jacobs
for Justice of the Peace. It was then decided to send a member of the
club to Jackson, the State capital, to present the slate to the Governor in
person in order to answer questions that might be asked or to give any
information that might be desired about any of the persons whose
names appeared on the slate. It fell to my lot to be chosen for that
purpose; the necessary funds being raised by the club to pay my
expenses. I accepted the mission, contingent upon my employer's
granting me leave of absence.
Natchez at that time was not connected with Jackson by railroad, so
that the only way for me to reach the capital was to go by steamer from
Natchez to Vicksburg or to New Orleans, and from there by rail to
Jackson. The trip, therefore, would necessarily consume the greater part
of a week. My employer,--who was what was known as a Northern
man, having come there after the occupation of the place by the Federal
troops,--not only granted me leave of absence but agreed to remain in
the city and carry on the business during my absence.
When I arrived at the building occupied by the Governor and sent up
my card, I had to wait only a few minutes before I was admitted to his
office. The Governor received me cordially and treated me with marked
courtesy, giving close attention while I presented as forcibly as I could
the merits and qualifications of the different persons whose names were
on the slate. When I had concluded my remarks the Governor's only
reply was that he would give the matter his early and careful
consideration. A few weeks later the appointments were announced;
but not many of the appointees were persons whose names I had
presented. However, to my great embarrassment I found that my own
name had been substituted for that of Jacobs for the office of Justice of
the Peace. I not only had no ambition in that direction but was not
aware that my name was under consideration for that or for any other
office. Besides, I was apprehensive that Jacobs and some of his friends
might suspect me of having been false to the trust that had been

reposed in me, at least so far as the office of Justice of the Peace was
concerned. At first I was of the opinion that the only way in which I
could disabuse their minds of that erroneous impression was to decline
the appointment. But I found out upon inquiry that in no event would
Jacobs receive the appointment. I was also reliably informed that I had
not been recommended nor suggested by any one, but that the
Governor's action was the result