Politics

Title

Politics

Subject

Politics

Description

This collection encompasses the political aspect of African American life in the Shoals. It features documents, biographies, photographs, and oral histories related to African American political involvement.

Collection Items

The Know-Nothing Party in Florence and the saga of editor Charles Wheler of the short-lived "American Democrat" newspaper
This is a collection of articles about the Know-Nothing Party in Lauderdale County and editor Charles Wheeler of the American Democrat.

The True Issue
An April 4, 1861 Florence Gazette reprint of an earlier, Valley Sentinel (a newspaper from Virginia) article, arguing that the main issue behind Southern secession and the impending war was "abolition with the north or slavery with the south. There…

Freedman Martin Conner [sic] Repudiates Union Leagues and the Republican Party in Favor of Democratic Candidates Seymour and Blair
A November 25, 1868 reprint of a "card" originally placed in the Florence, AL LIterary Index on September 30, 1868 by Florence freedman Martin Conner/Connor (ca. 1821-), who stated that:

"I wish to say that I was a member of the Union League, but…

"Mass Meeting and Barbecue at Florence"
An August 26, 1868 Florence, AL Literary Index newspaper announcement by the Democratic Party of Lauderdale of an upcoming mass meeting and barbecue to be held Tuesday, September 1, 1868, at which several notable speakers would be present, including…

"Colored Men's Club"
An August 26, 1868 Florence, AL Literary Index newspaper article regarding the aim on the part of a group of Florence freedmen to found a "Seymour and Blair political club."

Former New York Governor Horatio Seymour (1810-1886) and Francis…

James Rapier quote
This is a quote from candidate James T. Rapier, during his bid for the Alabama 2nd Congressional District in 1872.

"Colored Voters
This is a newspaper article imploring African American voters to vote for Horace Greeley, a liberal Republican candidate in 1872.

"The Mass Meeting and Barbecue at Florence"
This is an account of a political rally in Florence in 1872.

James Goin's letter to the editor concerning his party affiliation
This is a letter to the editor written by James Goin, who is attempting to refute allegations that he was employed by the Democrat (Conservative) Party because of his endorsement of the Republican residential candidate Horace Greeley, who was backed…

James Goin
These are two newspaper clippings about James Goin. The following was contributed by Florence historian Lee Freeman: James Goin (1836-aft. 1892) was a free person of color, (a mulatto) who moved to Florence, probably from Lawrence County around 1857.…
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