It was on this day in 1870 that the Reverend Hiram Rhodes Revels, after a lengthy and ugly debate was sworn in as the first African American to serve in the United States senate.
In these years before the great switch, where Republicans abandoned the principals of Abraham Lincoln to become the party of Southern Reaction, and the Democrats took up the place of progressivism, that vote followed a familiar if sad pattern.
Racist rhetoric fouled the hall. Against it Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, responded flatly, “The time has passed for argument. Nothing more need be said. For a long time it has been clear that colored persons must be senators.” The vote was taken. And all but one from the progressive party voted in favor and all but one of the conservative party voted against.
Mr Revels was well prepared for office. Born free in 1827 his earliest education was through private tutoring. He became a barber before going to school at the Union County Quaker Seminary and then ordained a minister within the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He continued his formal education at Knox College, when he began serving in congregations of the predominantly White Methodist Episcopal Church. He served as a chaplain in the Civil War, as well as helping to recruit two black regiments. He was present at the battle of Vicksburg.
Mr Revels was elected an alderman in Natchez in 1868, and then the next year to the Mississippi State Senate. Then in 1870 the Mississippi State senate elected him to the United States senate.
His tenure was brief, one year, filling out another term.
He would go on to become a college professor and president, as well as continuing in what was his first love, the ministry.
A man to celebrate.
A moment to remember…
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