Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1868-01-23
MISSISSIPPI.
Observations OF a Presiding Elder Of the
Methodist Church

MtthOutht
The Baltimore Gazette of the 11th says:
1--WE have obtained the following facts
from the Rev. James Lynch formerly of
Baltimore), Presiding Elderof the Mstho-
dist Episcopal Church, who, in addition
to his missionary labors in Mississippi,
canvassed the entire State for Recon-
struction. His well-known standing
and opportunities for observation entitle
his statements to considerable credence:
"TTe states that prior to the late North
ern elections he was aided in getting up
political meetings in favor of Reconstruc-
ton, under the Congressional plan, by
the best white men of the State. He
was favored with the encouragement and
sympathy of the Hon. E. Barksdale, ex-
member OF the Confederate Congress and
editor of the Clarion, who was o most
jealous advocate of Reconstruction,
though not q Republican in politics.
Many of the meetings which he address
ed, composed of white and black, were
presided over by gentlemen who had
been prominent as State officers.
"The Hon. James l.. Alcorn, United
States Senator elect under the Johnson
Government of 1865, addressed the peo-
pie with great effect in more than twenty
counties, and declared his intention to
vote for Republican President at the
next election. Mr.. Lynch and General
Alcorn spoke from the same platform at
Durant. Miss. E,xGov. Brown, for many
years United States Senator, took an ac-
tive part in the canvass. lie thinks that
had not the Democratic party of the
North inaugurated and carried on with
the success they did, under the lead Of
Andrew Johnson, their opposition to Con
gress, the State of Mississippi would now
be enjoying political calm. The ballot
placed in the hands of the negro threw
around him n protection which military
forces or Bureau agents could never have
afforded. The colOred people have acted
from the moment of their enfranchise-
ment to the present with moderation
and good sense that has Increased the re-
spect of the Northern whites for them. -
At political meetings and at the polls
they behaved as well as If at church, and
| forbearance on their part kept them quiet
under severe provocations.
"The news of the 'Nerthern reaction,
gave strength to the anti-reconstruction
men, aud they bullied thousands of re-
construction white men into neutrality
or positive opposition, so that, at the
time OF the late clection in Mississippi
the white men who voted, For Con
vontion' had to brave public odiun
The Demscratlo organs of the worst type
are the educators of puzzle sentiment ia
Mississippi. The La Crosse Democrat
| (l}rick Pomeroy), New-York Day Book
Philadelphia Age, and New-Ysrk World
are the oracles to whose utterances they
give sacred regard. or course there are
eminent gentlemen who take compro
hensive view of political affairs, but how
ever high their present social position
and great their past political influence
they can do but little while the Demo
cratic party of the North are the success
ful allies of thoss who oppose them.
"The Convention Is now In Session q
Jackson. Mr.. Lynch left two or three
days before it met. He says there are
about 100 delegates elected twelve o
| them are colorsd men. Many Of the del
eyates elect have been judges of courts
aud members of former Legislatures o
Mlssisslppi. Several have been distin
guished officers of the Federal army, ant
taken as a whole the body will be as re
spectacle in worth and Intelligence u
any that ever met I'm the stats capital
Caucuses have been held and the Spiri
of the majority in Congress will CERTAIN
ly he the controlling animas OF the Con
ventlon.
"Intelligent men laugh at the Demo
cratic trick OF laying the responsibilit.
of the financial distress in the South a
the door OF the Republican party; bu
many say, 1T helps us to make capital
and we don't care
"Gov. Humphreys tried to get up n bi
scare about negro insurrectlon, to TAX
place during the holidays. No one SUP
} posed that he believed there was an
danger of such an occurrence. 1t wa
done for political effect. The colore
people went through the holidays as qu
ct as lambs, and the Rebel cry Of 'nigge
rising became the richest joke of th
, season.