[Case history of the lawsuit over the "Mississippi Plan of 1875"]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09388 Author/Creator: Place Written: s.l. Type: Manuscript document Date: 12 October 1875 Pagination: 40 p. Order a Copy
Case history of a lawsuit over the "Mississippi Plan of 1875" brought against Gov. Adelbert Ames to prevent him from organizing two companies of "Colored Militia" to protect blacks during the 1875 election. The lawsuit charged that such "Troops kept in peace, in the fear or apprehension that a riot or insurrection will occur, or that the laws will be obstructed, are but a standing army" and thus illegal. The lawsuit was successful, and the Election Day violence was the worst in American history. Blacks were prevented from voting, effectively ending Reconstruction in Mississippi. Seven manuscript court documents totaling 40 pages.
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