Facts of Reconstruction by John R. Lynch [John Roy Lynch (1847-1939)]

New York: The Neale Publishing Co., 1913. Octavo. Frontispiece, 325pp. + two half-tone plates. Publisher's dark blue gilt-lettered cloth. Binding slightly cocked; small discolorations at spine title and in upper joint; overall very good.

First edition of this important account of Mississippi during Reconstruction and written by this former Representative, 1873-1877 and 1882-1883. "In 1913 he published his Facts of Reconstruction, in an effort to set the record straight about the part played by Negroes in that tragic era. It is easily the best account of Reconstruction by a Negro participant." (DANB)

Chapter headings include "Fusion of Democrats and Republicans in the State Election of 1873. Republican Victory;" "What Constitutes 'Negro Domination';" "Rise of Democratic Radicalism in the South;" "Attitude of the Hayes Administration toward the South;" "Interview with Secretary Lamar on the Retaining of Colored Men in Office;" "Mississippi and the Nullification of the Fifteenth Amendment;" and "The Interview between the Author and President Cleveland and Secretary Gresham."

"An early revisionist, [Lynch] anticipated the later writings of W. E. B. Du Bois and the post-World War II historians, who looked at the achievements of African-American politicians in the 1860s and 1870s with more objectivity than prior historians... An accomplished African-American author and politician, Lynch was representative of a small group who worked with some success within the existing political and patronage structure to create opportunities for themselves and to fight for blacks' civil rights." (ANB)

In this copy, a previous owner has affixed on the book's endpapers the front panel of the book's dust jacket and two manuscript leaves, copied from J.W. Garner's Reconstruction in Mississippi (N.Y., 1901).

Krick 290. Not in Work. IB100