Natchez, Miss., in 1868.]

The next name suggested was that of the Rev. H.R. Revels and those who
had been so fortunate as to hear the impressive prayer that he had
delivered on the opening of the Senate were outspoken in their advocacy
of his selection. The white Republicans assured the colored members
that if they would unite upon Revels, they were satisfied he would
receive the vote of every white Republican member of the Legislature.
Governor Alcorn also gave the movement his cordial and active support,
thus insuring for Revels the support of the State administration. The
colored members then held an informal conference, at which it was
unanimously decided to present the name of Rev. H.R. Revels to the
Republican Legislative Caucus as a candidate for United States Senator
to fill the fractional term of one year. The choice was ratified by the
caucus without serious opposition. In the joint Legislative session,
every Republican member, white and colored, voted for the three
Republican caucus nominees for United States Senators,--Alcorn, Ames and
Revels,--with one exception, Senator William M. Hancock, of Lauderdale,
who stated in explanation of his vote against Revels that as a lawyer he
did not believe that a colored man was eligible to a seat in the United
States Senate. But Judge Hancock seems to have been the only lawyer in
the Legislature,--or outside of it, as far as could be learned,--who
entertained that opinion.




CHAPTER IV

IMPORTANT EDUCATIONAL AND POLITICAL MEASURES OF THE NEW LEGISLATURE