 Governor Russell's proclamation did not sit well with the Red Shirts; they increased their activity.The week before the 1898 election, the Red Shirts' activities were non-stop, and the threats were so recurrent that many Republicans and Fusionist speakers canceled their engagements; the entire Republican Fusion ticket withdrew in New Hanover County.A few days before the election on November 2, 1898, the "Morning Star" newspaper of Wilmington reported a large rally with the Red Shirt affiliate Claude Kitchin as the fiery speaker.