The Facts of Reconstruction

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The Facts of Reconstruction, by John R. Lynch

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Title: The Facts of Reconstruction
Author: John R. Lynch
Release Date: July 1, 2005 [EBook #16158]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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THE FACTS OF RECONSTRUCTION
John R. Lynch
Copyright, 1913, by The Neale Publishing Company
[Illustration: John R. Lynch]

CONTENTS
PREFACE
CHAPTER
I
THE PART PLAYED BY MISSISSIPPI IN THE EARLY DAYS OF RECONSTRUCTION
II REORGANIZATION OF THE STATE DEPARTMENTS DURING GOVERNOR ALCORN'S ADMINISTRATION
III THE REPUBLICAN COUNTY CONVENTION OF 1869
IV IMPORTANT EDUCATIONAL AND POLITICAL MEASURES OF THE NEW LEGISLATURE
V THE CONTEST FOR SPEAKER OF THE MISSISSIPPI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
VI FUSION OF DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS IN THE STATE ELECTION OF 1873. REPUBLICAN VICTORY
VII MISSISSIPPI SENDS B.K. BRUCE TO THE UNITED STATES SENATE
VIII IMPROVED FINANCIAL CONDITION OF MISSISSIPPI UNDER THE AMES ADMINISTRATION
IX WHAT CONSTITUTES "NEGRO DOMINATION"
X OVERTHROW OF THE REPUBLICAN STATE GOVERNMENT IN MISSISSIPPI
XI RISE OF DEMOCRATIC RADICALISM IN THE SOUTH
XII EVENTFUL DAYS OF THE FORTY-THIRD CONGRESS
XIII STATE CAMPAIGN OF 1875. REPUBLICAN VICTORY
XIV INTERVIEW BETWEEN THE AUTHOR AND THE PRESIDENT REGARDING STATE APPOINTMENTS
XV THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1876 AND ITS RESULTS
XVI EFFECTS OF THE REFORM ADMINISTRATION IN MISSISSIPPI
XVII THE HAYES-TILDEN CONTEST. THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION
XVIII ATTITUDE OF THE HAYES ADMINISTRATION TOWARD THE SOUTH
XIX QUESTION OF THE VALIDITY OF SENATOR LAMAR'S ELECTION
XX REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION OF 1880. NOMINATION OF THE COMPROMISE CANDIDATE, GARFIELD
XXI STORY OF THE MISUNDERSTANDING BETWEEN GARFIELD AND CONKLING
XXII THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN OF 1884
XXIII THE ELECTION OF GROVER CLEVELAND
XXIV INTERVIEW WITH SECRETARY LAMAR ON THE RETAINING OF COLORED MEN IN OFFICE
XXV THE FEDERAL ELECTIONS BILL
XXVI MISSISSIPPI AND THE NULLIFICATION OF THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT
XXVII EFFECT OF THE MCKINLEY TARIFF BILL ON BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES
XXVIII INTERVIEW BETWEEN THE AUTHOR AND PRESIDENT CLEVELAND AND SECRETARY GRESHAM
XXIX THE NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONVENTION OF 1900
XXX ARGUMENT ON PROPOSED CHANGE OF REPRESENTATION IN CONVENTION
XXXI COMPARISON OF BRYAN AND CLEVELAND
XXXII THE SOLID SOUTH. FUTURE OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

PREFACE
The author of this book is one of the few remaining links in the chain by which the present generation is connected with the reconstruction period,--the most important and eventful period in our country's history.
What is herein recorded is based upon the author's own knowledge, contact and experience. Very much, of course, has been written and published about reconstruction, but most of it is superficial and unreliable; and, besides, nearly all of it has been written in such a style and tone as to make the alleged facts related harmonize with what was believed to be demanded by public sentiment. The author of this work has endeavored to present facts as they were and are, rather than as he would like to have them, and to set them down without the slightest regard to their effect upon the public mind, except so far as that mind may be influenced by the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. In his efforts along these lines he has endeavored to give expression to his ideas, opinions and convictions in language that is moderate and devoid of bitterness, and entirely free from race prejudice, sectional animosity, or partisan bias. Whether or not he has succeeded in doing so he is willing to leave to the considerate judgment and impartial decision of those who may take the time to read what is here recorded. In writing what is to be found in these pages, the author has made no effort to draw upon the imagination, nor to gratify the wishes of those whose chief ambition is to magnify the faults and deficiencies in some and to extol the good and commendable traits and qualities in others. In other words, his chief purpose has been to furnish the readers and students of the present generation with a true, candid and impartial statement of material and important facts based upon his own personal knowledge and experience, with such comments as in his judgment the occasion and circumstances warranted.
Was the enfranchisement of the black men at the South by act of Congress a grave mistake?
Were the reconstructed State Governments that were organized as a result thereof a disappointment and a failure?
Was the Fifteenth Amendment to the Federal Constitution premature and unwise?
An affirmative answer to the above questions will be found in nearly everything that has been written about Reconstruction during the last quarter of a century. The main purpose of this work is to present the other side; but, in doing so, the author indulges the hope that those who may read these chapters