They withdrew their influence from Belton and he was, by this means, forced to give up the enterprise.
He was now completely without an occupation, and began to look around for employment.

He decided to make a trial of politics.

A campaign came on and he vigorously espoused the cause of the Republicans.

A congressional and presidential campaign was being conducted at the same time, and Belton did yeoman service.
Owing to frauds in the elections the Democrats carried the district in which Belton labored, but the vote was closer than was ever known before.

The Republicans, however, carried the nation and the President appointed a white republican as post-master of Richmond.