# XXVIII: In Season and Out explained — The Marrow of Tradition > Chapter companion for The Marrow of Tradition by Charles W. Chesnutt. ## What happens The chapter details the aftermath of the Ochiltree affair and the conspirators' renewed efforts to suppress Black voting rights. The 'Big Three' decide to use an editorial from the Afro-American Banner as a pretext to incite white violence and discourage Black voters. Meanwhile, Sandy Campbell is restored to the church and employed by Major Carteret, Tom Delamere leaves town, and Ellis refrains from pursuing Clara. The chapter also describes the broader political campaign for white supremacy, including the adoption of the 'grandfather clause' to disenfranchise Black citizens. ## Themes in this chapter ### Politics and Power The 'Big Three' conspire to suppress Black voting through the 'grandfather clause' and intimidation, illustrating the corrupt use of political power to maintain white dominance. ### Racial Injustice The chapter details systemic disenfranchisement, lynchings, and the denial of constitutional rights to Black citizens, highlighting the deep injustice of the era. ### Class and Privilege The 'grandfather clause' exempts poor whites while excluding Black citizens of the same class, showing how racial privilege overrides class distinctions. ## Character check-ins ### Major Carteret Leads the campaign for white supremacy, employs Sandy as butler, and uses the Morning Chronicle to promote disenfranchisement. ### Captain George McBane Advocates for immediate action to intimidate Black voters and participates in the 'Big Three' meeting. ### General Belmont Suggests republishing the Afro-American Banner editorial and orders cocktails during the meeting. ### Jerry Letlow Brings drinks to the 'Big Three' and is mocked for his hair and skin condition, which the general attributes to reading the Afro-American Banner. ### Sandy Campbell Remains silent about the Ochiltree affair, is employed by Major Carteret as butler, and is restored to the Methodist church. ### Tom Delamere Does not retain Sandy, gives him the old gentleman's wardrobe, and leaves town after being socially ostracized. ### Mr. Ellis Handles the paper's detail work, is not admitted to the revolutionary committee's counsels, and refrains from pursuing Clara out of delicacy. ### Dr. William Miller Never learns of Mr. Delamere's intentions toward his institution but mourns the old gentleman's death as a loss to his race. ## Key lines > Sins, like chickens, come home to roost. The South paid a fearful price for the wrong of negro slavery; in some form or other it will doubtless reap the fruits of this later iniquity. Wrongdoings eventually have consequences; the South will suffer for its past and present injustices against Black people. _The narrator reflects on the inevitable repercussions of slavery and ongoing racial oppression._ > The article was racial lèse-majesté in the most aggravated form. A peg was needed upon which to hang a coup d'état, and this editorial offered the requisite opportunity. The editorial was seen as an extreme insult to white authority, providing a pretext for the conspirators to launch a political takeover. _The 'Big Three' use the Afro-American Banner editorial as a justification for their campaign of voter suppression._ > Selfishness is the most constant of human motives. Patriotism, humanity, or the love of God may lead to sporadic outbursts which sweep away the heaped-up wrongs of centuries; but they languish at times, while the love of self works on ceaselessly, unwearyingly, burrowing always at the very roots of life, and heaping up fresh wrongs for other centuries to sweep away. Self-interest is a persistent force that drives human actions, often undermining noble ideals and perpetuating injustice over time. _The narrator critiques the selfish motives behind the white supremacy campaign, contrasting them with fleeting moral impulses._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters/xxviii-in-season-and-out - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_marrow_of_tradition_se/chapters