20 August 1867
Gibson, Tobias (fl. 1861-1865)
Autograph letter signed
Title: to Captain J. W. Francis
A passionate letter in which Tobias refuses to comply with General Sheridan's orders to act as a commissioner of elections. He claims that supporters of negro voting rights are violating the U.S. Constitution, which he believes supports a "white mans government." He argues that social peace either excludes suffrage for blacks or severely restricts it. He fears that if blacks excised the right to vote they would put black men in office and become the superior of whites. "I must respectfully decline to change all my school boy lessons & to adopt a faith which Consigns the land of…
GLC04501.099