If someone set out deliberately to dismantle Reconstruction single-handed, it is hard to imagine anyone being more successful than Elisha Baxter. It seems fair to wonder, then, if that was Baxter's intent. Was he simply a pawn of circumstances, or was he perhaps the most remarkably effective governor in Arkansas history? Admittedly he had the able advice of Augustus Garland, arguably one of the most intelligent political figures Arkansas ever produced. We owe it to the good graces of all involved that the end of Reconstruction in Arkansas wasn't a lot more violent and bloody. Still, it seems odd that Baxter doesn't receive more credit.
Part of Baxter's problem was that he was such a self-effacing individual. This is evident in the honor and ease with which he departed the limelight following Reconstruction. Because of the role he played in bringing that era to an end, there were obviously those among the Democrats who felt they owed him a tremendous debt. Not the least of these was Augustus Garland, the party's logical gubernatorial choice. When the Democrats held their convention in 1874, Garland insisted that the top of the ticket be offered first to Baxter. The contrarian David Walker strenuously objected. From the point of view of the Democratic leadership, Walker had remained wrongheaded throughout Reconstruction and seemed disinclined to change. He had counseled non-participation when other Democrats were trying to defeat the Reconstruction constitution and had stuck with Brooks long after other Democrats had switched their loyalty to Baxter. The Democrats desperately wanted to bring Walker back in step with the rest of the party, but he refused to cooperate with any government headed by Baxter. The convention nevertheless felt obligated to offer Baxter the role of standard bearer. Baxter, however, had the good grace to decline, reminding the Democrats that he was, after all, a Republican. When word of Baxter's magnanimous refusal reached the convention, they cheered him wildly and re-tendered their nomination by unanimous acclamation. Baxter again refused. The Democrats then let out a collective sigh of relief and nominated Garland.
Baxter offered his services to Garland and helped establish relationships between the Democrat and prominent leaders in the black community. He then retired to Batesville, where he practiced law for another 25 years.
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