February 25, 1870
Two days after Mississippi was readmitted to the Union, Hiram Revels became the first black American elected United States Senator. “All men are created equal, says the great Declaration,” said Republican Sen. Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, “and now a great act attests to this truth. Today we turn the Declaration into reality…. The Declaration has only been half established since Independence. The greatest duty remained behind. In ensuring the equal rights of all, we complete the work”.
Born free in North Carolina, Revels rose to national strength in a post once held by Jefferson Davis, the former President of the Confederacy. A minister by profession, Revels sought to better the education of others, working with black Americans in Indiana, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, and Tennessee. In 1854 he was imprisoned for preaching to the black community. Later, he moved to Baltimore, where he served as the principal of a black school.
When the Civil War broke out in 1861, he helped recruit two black regiments from Maryland and later served as a chaplain for black soldiers fighting in Mississippi. After the war ended, he worked for a church in Kansas. On the train, the conductor asked him and his family to move into the smoking car. They refused and the conductor gave in.
Not long after, he and his family settled in Natchez, Mississippi, where he was elected alderman. Winning both blacks and whites with his calls for cooperation, he was elected to the Mississippi State Senate, one of more than 30 African Americans to serve in the legislature during Reconstruction. “We are in the midst of an exciting election campaign,” he wrote to a friend in a letter. “We are determined that Mississippi be resolved on a basis of justice and political and legal equality.”
He attracted attention as soon as he arrived with his moving words. After Mississippi lawmakers nominated him for the United States Senate, some tried to block him from taking office. Revels stood firm and took office. “I find the prejudice against color in this country to be very large, and at times I fear it is on the rise,” he continued. “Should the nation take a step to encourage this prejudice against the colored race, can it have any ground upon which to preach the hope that heaven will smile upon it and prosper it?”
He advocated universal amnesty for ex-Confederates, requiring only their sworn allegiance to the Union. “I am in favor of removing the disabilities of those on whom they are imposed in the South,” she said, “as soon as they show they have become loyal and are being loyal.”
After his Senate term ended in 1871, he became the first president of Alcorn University, the first land-grant school for black students. He later taught theology at Rust College and died of a stroke in 1901.
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On this day in 1870
February 25, 1870
Two days after Mississippi was readmitted to the Union, Hiram Revels became the first black American elected United States Senator. “All men are created equal, says the Great Declaration,” Republican Sen. Charles Sumner of Massachusetts
When the Civil War broke out in 1861, he helped recruit two black regiments from Maryland and later served as a chaplain for Black soldiers fighting in Mississippi, after the war ended, he worked for a church in Kansas. On the train, the conductor asked him and his family to move into the smoking car. They refused and the conductor relented.
Not long after, he and his family settled in Natchez, Mississippi, where he was elected alderman. Winning both blacks and whites with his calls for cooperation, he was elected to the Mississippi State Senate, one of more than 30 African Americans to serve in the legislature during Reconstruction. “We are in the midst of an exciting election campaign,” he wrote to a friend in a letter. “We are determined that Mississippi be resolved on the basis of justice and political and legal equality.”
He attracted attention as soon as he arrived with his moving words. After Mississippi lawmakers nominated him for the United States Senate, some tried to block him from taking office. Revels stood firm and took office. “I find the prejudice against color in this country to be very large, and at times I fear it is on the rise,” he continued. “Should the nation take a step to encourage this prejudice against the colored race, can it have any reason to hope that heaven will smile upon it and prosper it?”
He advocated universal amnesty for ex-Confederates, requiring only their sworn allegiance to the Union. “I am in favor of removing the disabilities of those on whom they are imposed in the South,” he ha
After his Senate term ended in 1871, he became the first president of Alcorn University, the first land-grant school for black students. He later taught theology at Rust College and died of a stroke in 1901.
This and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
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