Clarion-Ledger clipping

(10.) The committee find that the candidates, in some instances, were compelled, by persecution of through fear of bodily harm, to withdraw their names from the ticket, and even to unite themselves ostensibly with the Democratic party. J. W. Caradine, of Clay County, was compelled to withdraw his name from the Republican ticket, and to make speeches in behalf of the Democratic candidate and policy. An extract from his testimony is herewith given as follows:

"They told me that I would have to go around and make some speeches for them; that I had risen up a great element, or some kind of feeling, in the colored men, that they never could get out of them for the next ten years to come with the speeches I had made, and that I had to go around and make some speeches in behalf of them in some way, or else I might have some trouble. They told me if I would do that I could command some respect among them, and have no further trouble with them.

"Q. What did they say would be the consequence if you did not go with them and make speeches? A. They did not say if I did not do it what could be done, as I remember; but they came to my house and fetched a buggy for me, and told me I had to go with them and make speeches for them. And they said, 'You know what has been said and what has been done; you have got to go along, if you don't want any further trouble.' I then got in and went along with them, and they did not really appreciate my speeches at length; but I went along with them and made three speeches and they had some fault to find with my speeches at last, but I have never had any trouble with them since."