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1883

In 1879 the Readjuster Party, a coalition of Black and white Republicans, won control of the Virginia legislature. Democrats in Danville, where Readjusters led the city council, circulated this pamphlet in 1883 describing interracial government as a threat to white supremacy. The circular inflamed racial tensions and led to the Readjusters’ defeat.

A pamphlet copy, black print on paper, of "Coalition Rule in Danville," a published letter commonly referred to as "The Danville Circular." The letter is addressed to "the Citizens of the Southwest and Valley of Virginia," and signed in type by 28 businessmen of Danville. The document makes general complaints of the presence of African Americans in local politics; the dominance of the local Readjuster Party, which included African Americans in the governing coalition; and the behavior of African Americans in the streets of Danville, Virginia. Specific complaints include "the injustice and humiliation to which our white people have been subjected and are daily undergoing by the domination and misrule of the radical or negro party" and that "Out of nine policemen--four negroes were chosen--something before that time unknown to the history of the town... Of the 24 stalls and stands at the market place, 20 are rented out by the council to the negroes... It is a very common practice for the negroes who are employed about our houses to allude to white ladies and gentlemen as men and women." Black residents and children are portrayed as an unfair tax burden on white residents, and the creation of city council wards is presented as a power grab on behalf of the Black population. The document alleges plans to permanently usurp white political power by incorporating the settlement of Jacksonville into the town charter. The screed ends by calling for the election of Conservative-Democratic candidates for the legislature. Four printed pages on one folded sheet. Minor wear and stains overall.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Memorabilia and Ephemera - Other

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

National Museum of African American History and Culture

2019.28.38.2

circular letters
pamphlets

Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.

ink on paper (fiber product)

H x W: 18 1/8 × 5 13/16 in. (46 × 14.8 cm)

Title • Coalition Rule in Danville

nmaahc_2019.28.38.2

NMAAHC

COALITION RULE IN DANVILLE

National Museum of African American History and Culture

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1880s

Thomas L. Poindexter & Son • Holland, S. H. • Redd & Jordan • Graves, William P. • Estes & Wooding • Lee, George A. • Booth, Wooding & Booth • Hamlin & Hinton • Norton, C. H. • Gravely & Burton • Holland, John W. • R. B. Graham & Bro. • Ruffin, Woolfolk & Blair • Covington, J. M. • Bruce, James W. • Schoolfield, J. E. • Shelton, W. N. • Walker, Harry • Westerbrooks, J. B. • Clark, W. T. • E. L. & A. Gerst • Morotock Manufacturing Co • Hendrick, C. M. • Coleman, Daniel • Lee & Jordan • Mahone, William • Fuller, A. G. • Covington, J. G. • Ragland, Ed. S.

Danville • United States • North and Central America • Virginia

White supremacy movements • American South • Race riots • Politics • Reconstruction, U.S. History, 1865-1877 • Race relations

City • Danville • State • Virginia • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

Circular letters • Pamphlets

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