later on this year, and if the voters approve it, it’s gonna open political doors that have been shut since the military took over. Won’t be no more of this here appointing Negroes and sorry white folks to office. Our source in Washington says this constitution is gonna happen and our job is to find men who are capable of carrying elections for the new Southern Democratic Party and willing to help us get control of the gov’ment here in Miss’sippi. We all feel that the damned Yankees ain’t always gonna be down here watching things, and once they’re gone, we’ve got to be ready to take charge. Your name was mentioned to us as a strong candidate for the state legislature. If elected, you would represent the folks here in Newton County.”
Surprised, John sat silently in thought. He had knowledge of the legislative process and had spent hours studying the various law systems throughout history, but he had never envisioned himself as one of those who would actually be a part of the system.
John glanced over at Hendon and then back to McWorthan. “Gentlemen, I do appreciate your interest in me, and even though I do have some knowledge about how our gov’ment works, I don’t think I have time for politicking. You see, my parents are getting old and we have a farm to run and like I said, I do thank you.”
Hendon reached over and placed his hand on John’s shoulder. “John, your brother-in-law, James, seems to enjoy working the place and with the Negroes living near by, I think they could get by without you for a spell. You know, most of the legislative work would be done during the first part of the year, during the late winter. Late winter’s kind of slow ain’t it?”
John nodded, then said, “Gentlemen, I’m not sure I’m qualified for this. Why do you think I could win an election? I’m—”
McWorthan interrupted. “Mister Wilson, we know more about you than you may know about yourself. When I look at you I see a young man that from all accounts is well educated and has a good reputation in the county. Your family is well known and since you fought for the South, undoubtly you have a sense of patriotism. Yes sir, we feel that you might just be our man.”
John rose and walked over to the fireplace, stared into the leaping flames and replied, “I hear that men who served in the confed’rate gov’ment and those of us you took to the field ain’t eligible.”
Sikes got up, walked over to John, and while knocking the ashes out of his pipe onto the hearth said, “You joined up in January of sixty-three, part of a replacement bunch. A lot of things happened during the later part of the war. Lot of records got lost. I checked up on you, there ain’t no records on no John Wilson in the confed’rate army, least none that we could find. As far as the gov’ment knows, you just didn’t exist.”
Surprised, John shook his head in disbelief. “That can’t be, they sent me up to Pennsylvania. I fought with the Newton County Rifles. Almost got myself killed.”
Sikes eased back to his seat and began repacking his pipe. “As I said, there ain’t no records of you. And John, before you say no, I have one more question for you. Let’s just say you decide to run for office, what’s your idea about gov’ment? Just what do you stand for?”
Having warmed himself, John walked over, sat down and thought for a moment. “Gentlemen, I think gov’ment is really a simple matter. Basically, you’ve got to know right from wrong and I guess with me, reared in the Christian way, it begins with what the Bible has to say about how you treat folks. Then you’ve got to consider what the federal and state constitution dictates. Gentlemen, it boils down to knowing the rules and abiding by ‘em.”
“What do you feel about us wanting to take control of the gov’ment? That is, when the time comes,” Sikes questioned.
John thought for a moment, then replied, “I feel, that there are men in Jackson who ain’t knowledgeable about our law system and there are outsiders who have no business running Miss’sippi. I also think that the needs of the common citizens, not those outsiders who moved into Miss’sippi to take what they can from us, should be represented. Miss’sippi is a prostrated state under military law that needs to be fully restored both economically and politically. The taxes they are imposing on us are stripping us to the bone and gentlemen, this must be stopped.”
At that, the men rose, applauded and stepped forward to shake John’s hand in approval. The clock in the hallway chimed three times and McWorthan closed the meeting. Since it was late, John and Professor Hendon decided to stay over with the Ollivers while McWorthan, Sikes and Pierce had a carriage waiting to carry them to the Hickory Station. There was a train due at five a.m. that they had to catch.
As the men settled themselves in a coach near the back of the train, McWorthan, with a cigar extended from his lips, leaned over to Sikes. “Mind if I borrow your smoke for a minute? It won’t take a second to light it.”
Sikes handed his cigar to McWorthan. “What’d you think about the young man?”
McWorthan took several quick draws on his cigar and after seeing that his smoke was lit, replied, “Must admit, I was impressed with the man. Can’t say that I’ve met any better. What do you think?”
Sikes took a long draw from his smoke and with the clankity clank sound in the background as the train gained speed, he said, “If that man can’t win an election, we might as well forget the whole thing and let the Republicans have at it. After meeting with him, we might be setting our goals too low. We ought to run him for the senate.”
Pierce, a man of few words, took off his hat and pushed his long greasy hair back as he reached inside his coat pocket and brought out a flask. Trying to be polite, he offered the group a sip of his spirits and seeing that the other two were not interested, took several swallows and after carefully replacing it, commented, “The man worries me.”
Astonished, Sikes replied, “What do you mean, he worries you?”
Looking out of the window into the darkness, he answered, “Don’t git me wrong, I like Wilson, but he might just be too honest for his own good. I don’t think he is aware of how far we’re willing to go to place our folks in office.”
Sikes thought about what Pierce had said and then exclaimed, “He’ll do just fine, but I did wonder why Frank Olliver didn’t have more to say in Wilson’s behalf. You know they’re good friends and he stayed mighty quiet.”
McWorthan shook his head and muttered, “Olliver probably didn’t think he needed any help.”
Back at the Ollivers, Hendon, wanting some fresh air, asked John to join him on the front porch. As they stood in the chill of the early morning, a rooster crowed down near the barnyard and several others could be heard in the distance. Looking east, the men could see the sky turning shades of gold and pastel blue as dawn was nearing.
Hendon pointed toward the glow and exclaimed, “John, Miss’sippi’s been through some hard times but just like the dawning of a new day, there will be a new day in Miss’sippi. And John Wilson, you can become a part of it. Let’s just say it is predestined for you.”
John who had been thinking about all that had transpired that night, turned to his old friend and said, “Professor, you may see something in me that just ain’t there.”
Feeling the chill of the morning, the professor motioned John back into the house. “I’ve taught you all I know about history and gov’ment, and
