There had been a disastrous financial panic in 1873 which was no doubt largely responsible for the political upheaval in 1874; but that was lost sight of in accounting for that result.  In fact they made no effort to explain it except in their own way.  The Democrats had carried the country; the reasons for this they construed to suit themselves.  The construction they placed upon it was that it was a national condemnation and repudiation of the Congressional Plan of Reconstruction, and they intended to govern themselves accordingly.

The election in Mississippi in 1875 was for members of Congress, members of the Legislature, and county officers, and also a State Treasurer to serve out the unexpired term of Treasurer Holland, deceased.  My own renomination for Congress from the Sixth (Natchez) District was a foregone conclusion, since I had no opposition in my own party; but I realized the painful fact that a nomination this time was not equivalent to an election.  Still, I felt that it was my duty to make the fight, let the result be what it might.

If Congressmen had been elected in 1874 the State would have returned five Republicans and one Democrat as was done in 1872; but in 1875 the prospect was not so bright, the indications were not so favorable.  The Democrats nominated for State Treasurer Hon. Wm. L. Hemmingway, of Carroll County.  He was an able man, and had been quite prominent as a party leader in his section of the State.  The defiant attitude assumed, and the bold declarations contained in the platform upon which he was nominated were accepted by the Republicans as notice that the Democrats intended to carry the election—­“peaceably and fairly.”

The Republicans nominated Hon. George M. Buchanan, of Marshall County, upon a platform which strongly endorsed the National and State administrations.  Mr. Buchanan was a strong and popular man.  He had been a brave and gallant Confederate soldier.  He had been for several years Sheriff and Tax Collector of his county, and was known to be especially fitted for the office of State Treasurer.  As Sheriff and Tax Collector of Marshall County,—­one of the wealthiest counties in the State,—­he had handled and disbursed many thousands of dollars, every dollar of which had been faithfully accounted for.  His honesty, integrity, ability, fitness, and capacity, everyone, regardless of race or party, unhesitatingly admitted.

The administration of Governor Ames was one of the best the State had ever had.  The judiciary was quite equal to that which had been appointed by Governor Alcorn.  The public revenues had been promptly collected, and honestly accounted for.  There had not only been no increase in the rate of taxation, but, to the contrary, there had been a material reduction.  Notwithstanding these things the Democrats, together with the radical element in charge of the party machinery, determined to seize the State Government vi et armis; not because it was at all necessary for any special reason, but simply because conditions at that time seemed to indicate that it could be safely done.