TheFacts of Reconstruction

is a non-fiction book published in 1913. Written by a former enslaved person who became a congressman, this work challenges prevailing historical narratives about Reconstruction. Lynch defends the era's policies and achievements, partic ularly regarding African American contributions to American society. His account directly counters scholars who portrayed Reconstruction as harm ful to the South, offering an insider's perspective on Mississippi politics and voting rights legislation during this turbulent period in American history the year 1866 was an eventful one in the history of this country. A bit ter war was in progress between Congress and President Andrew John son over the question of the reconstruction of the States lately in rebellion against the National Government. The President had inaugurated a policy of his ownthatprovedtobeveryunpopular attheNorth. Hehadpardoned nearly all the leaders in therebellionthroughthemediumofamnestyprocla mations. In each rebel State he had appointed a provisional governor under whose direction Legislatures, State officers, and members of Congress had beenchosen,andtheLegislaturesthuschosenelectedtheUnitedStatesSen ators for the Southern States in accordance with the President's plan of re construction. To make restoration to the Union full and complete nothing remained to be done but to admit to their seats the Senators and Represen tatives that had been chosen. In the mean time these different Legislatures had enacted laws which virtually re-enslaved those that had been emanci pated in their respective States. For this the North would not stand. Sen timent in that section demanded not only justice and fair treatment for the newly emancipated race but also an emancipation that should be thorough and complete, not merely theoretical and nominal.