Description:

KU KLUX KLAN BLOCKS BLACKS FROM VOTING IN GEORGIA
RUFUS B. BULLOCK (1834-1907) Governor of Georgia who opposed secession but accepted the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Confederate quartermaster's office. When the war ended, he entered politics, played a prominent role at the Constitutional Convention in December 1867, and won the election in April 1868 for governor over the Democratic favorite, John B. Gordon, a former Confederate cavalry general who was soon to become the head of the Ku Klux Klan. His unwavering support for African American equality flew in the face of recalcitrant white supremacy. When the 1870 election returned a Democratic majority to the legislature, Bullock secretly resigned and fled to New York. Critics increasingly denounced Bullock and filled Georgia newspapers with unsubstantiated slander, invective, and charges of corruption. Very fine content A.L.S. 2pp. 4to., with additional two pages of manuscript signed "W H McWharton", Atlanta, July 7, 1868 to Major General George G. Meade describing the efforts of the Ku Klux Klan to prevent freed slaves from voting. Of key interest is a two page 'postscript' written by McWharton, introduced by Bullock as "...a native Georgian -- a large Planter in Greene County-- one of his Brothers is speaker of the State House of Reps-- another Bro. is a Senator." describing the situation on the ground. In part: "...We had on Tuesday last all over this country a grand face called an election...The old disenfranchised Rebel leaders took entire control of the affair and run the machine on the Rebel plan...Colored men were told that unless they had paid their taxes they were not entitled to vote. What few colored men remained at the county precincts were compelled to vote for Seymore [sic] & Blair under treat of immediate expulsion from their homes, Ku Klux Clans etc., all the disenfranchised rebs voting...We cannot live at this rate... there is but one away to manage these states lately in rebellion...These old rebel leaders must be kept out of the way for at least ten years. If they are permitted now to take part either in the courts, in the councils of the country, in the pulpits or any other position where they will have an opportunity of promulgating and decimating their hellish doctrines this country cannot have any permanent peace...". Lightly toned at margins, else very good condition.

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January 20, 2010 10:00 AM EST
Stamford, CT, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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