the hope and expectation of a permanent political combination and union between themselves and the better element of the whites, which would have resulted in good, honest, capable, and efficient local government and in the establishment and maintenance of peace, good-will, friendly, cordial, and amicable relations between the two races.  But this hope, politically at least, had now been destroyed, and these expectations had been shattered and scattered to the four winds.  The outlook for the colored man was dark and anything but encouraging.  Many of the parting scenes that took place between the colored men and the whites who decided to return to the fold of the Democracy were both affecting and pathetic in the extreme.

The writer cannot resist the temptation to bring to the notice of the reader one of those scenes of which he had personal knowledge.  Colonel James Lusk had been a prominent, conspicuous and influential representative of the Southern aristocracy of ante-bellum days.  He enjoyed the respect and confidence of the community in which he lived,—­especially of the colored people.  He, like thousands of others of his class, had identified himself with the Republican party.  There was in that community a Republican club of which Sam Henry, a well-known colored man, was president.  When it was rumored,—­and before it could be verified,—­that Colonel Lusk had decided to cast his fortunes with the Republican party Henry appointed a committee of three to call on him and extend to him a cordial invitation to appear before the club at its next meeting and deliver an address.  The invitation was accepted.  As soon as the Colonel entered the door of the club, escorted by the committee, every man in the house immediately arose and all joined in giving three cheers and a hearty welcome to the gallant statesman and brave ex-Confederate soldier who had honored them with his distinguished presence on that occasion.  He delivered a splendid speech, in which he informed his hearers that he had decided to cast his lot with the Republican party.  It was the first public announcement of that fact that had been made.  Of course he was honored, idolized and lionized by the colored people wherever he was known.

After the Congressional elections of 1874 Colonel Lusk decided that he would return to the ranks of the Democracy.  Before making public announcement of that fact he decided to send for his faithful and loyal friend, Sam Henry, to come to see him at his residence, as he had something of importance to communicate to him.  Promptly at the appointed time Henry made his appearance.  He did not know for what he was wanted, but he had a well-founded suspicion, based upon the changed conditions which were apparent in every direction; hence, apprehension could be easily detected in his countenance.  Colonel Lusk commenced by reminding Henry of the fact that it was before the club of which he was president and upon his invitation that he, Lusk, had made public announcement of his intention to act in the future with the Republican party.  Now that he had decided to renounce any further allegiance to that party he thought that his faithful friend and loyal supporter, Sam Henry, should be the first to whom that announcement should be made.  When he had finished Henry was visibly affected.