government was then in the hands of the Republicans, further
opposition to the Congressional Plan of Reconstruction was for the first
time completely abandoned. The fact was then recognized that this was
the settled and accepted policy of the Government and that further
opposition to it was useless. A few of the southern whites, General
Alcorn being one of the number, had accepted the result of the
Presidential and Congressional elections of 1868 as conclusive as to the
policy of the country with reference to Reconstruction; but those who
thought and acted along those lines at that time were exceptions to the
general rule. But after the Presidential and Congressional elections of
1872 all doubt upon that subject was entirely removed.

The Southern whites were now confronted with a problem that was both
grave and momentous. But the gravity of the situation was chiefly based
upon the possibility,--if not upon a probability,--of a reversal of
what had been the established order of things, especially those of a
political nature.

The inevitable conflict between the antagonistic elements of which
Southern society was composed could no longer be postponed. But the
colored vote was the important factor which now had to be considered and
taken into account. It was conceded that whatever element or faction
could secure the favor and win the support of the colored vote would be
the dominant and controlling one in the State. It is true that between
1868 and 1872, when the great majority of Southern whites maintained a
policy of "masterly inactivity," the colored voters were obliged to
utilize such material among the whites as was available; but it is a
well-known fact that much of the material thus utilized was from
necessity and not from choice, and that whenever and wherever an
acceptable and reputable white man would place himself in a position
where his services could be utilized he was gladly taken up and loyally
supported by the colored voters.

After 1872 the necessity for supporting undesirable material no longer
existed; and colored voters had the opportunity not only of supporting
Southern whites for all the important positions in the State, but also
of selecting the best and most desirable among them. Whether the poor
whites or the aristocrats of former days were to be placed in control of
the affairs of the State was a question which the colored voters alone
could settle and determine. That the colored man's preferen