H.C.Griffin, white leader of the Williams men, suggested the name of the Rev.H.R.Revels as a compromise candidate.

Revels was comparatively a new man in the community.

He had recently been stationed at Natchez as pastor in charge of the A.M.E.Church, and so far as known he had never voted, had never attended a political meeting, and of course, had never made a political speech.

But he was a colored man, and presumed to be a Republican, and believed to be a man of ability and considerably above the average in point of intelligence; just the man, it was thought, the Rev.Noah Buchanan would be willing to vote for.
After considerable discussion it was agreed that a committee should be appointed to wait on Mr.Williams in order to find out if he would be willing to withdraw in favor of Revels should his friends and supporters deem such a step necessary and wise.

In the event of Williams' withdrawal, the committee was next to call on Revels to find out if he would consent to the use of his name.