s vote
for either. Strange to say, this man was also a colored Baptist
preacher, the Rev. Noah Buchanan, from the Washington district. Members
of both factions approached him during the recess and pleaded with him,
but their efforts and pleadings were all in vain. Nothing could move him
or change him. He stated that he had given the matter his careful and
serious consideration, and that he had come to the conclusion that
neither Jacobs nor Williams was a fit man to represent the important
county of Adams in the State Senate, hence neither could get his vote.
At the afternoon session, after several ballots had been taken with the
same result, an adjournment was ordered until 9 o'clock next morning.

Soon after adjournment each side went into caucus. At the Jacobs meeting
it was decided to stick to their man to the very last. At the Williams
meeting Hon. H.C. Griffin, white leader of the Williams men, suggested
the name of the Rev. H.R. Revels as a compromise candidate. Revels was
comparatively a new man in the community. He had recently been stationed
at Natchez as pastor in charge of the A.M.E. Church, and so far as
known he had never voted, had never attended a political meeting, and of
course, had never made a political speech. But he was a colored man, and
presumed to be a Republican, and believed to be a man of ability and
considerably above the average in point of intelligence; just the man,
it was thought, the Rev. Noah Buchanan would be willing to vote for.

After considerable discussion it was agreed that a committee should be
appointed to wait on Mr. Williams in order to find out if he would be
willing to withdraw in favor of Revels should his friends and supporters
deem such a step necessary and wise. In the event of Williams'
withdrawal, the committee was next to call on Revels to find out if he
would consent to the use of his name. If Revels consented, the committee
was next to call on Rev. Buchanan to find out whether or not he would
vote for Revels. This committee was to report to the caucus at 8 o'clock
next morning.

At the appointed time the committee reported that Williams had stated
that he was in the hands of his friends and that he would abide by any
decision they might make. Revels, the report stated, who had been taken
very much by surprise,--having had no idea that his name would ever be
mentioned in connection with any office,--had asked to be allowed until
7 o'clock in the morning to consider