The Twin City star. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1910-19??, 1914-01-23
JOHN R. LYNCH
AS HISTORIAN
Retired Army Officer Writes an
Interesting Book.

I
Has Rendered Valuable Services "a
His Country and Raes-WeII Known
In Military and Political Circles
Throughout the United States.
By CHARLES ALEXANDER.
One Of the unique characters in
the history Of political life among
Afro-Americans is John r. Lynch, q
singuarly gifted speaker. who was re-
tired from service as paymaster in
the regular army of the United States
in 1911 with the rank Of major. Our
people are justly proud of his many
conspicuous and honorable achieve
ments in national politics.
As national committeeman in the
Republican party he established the
reputation Of high minded statesman
ship. while his splendid record as an
army officer has brought him the sim
cere congratulations of some of the
greatest men of the present day. In
this last Office he deported himself
with dignity and unrivaled courage.
Major Lynch was born on a planta-
ton in Louisiana Sept. 10. 1s47. He
suffered in his childhood all the seri-
GUS handicaps Of the awful system of
enthrallment peculiar to the time. No
opportunity was afforded him for the
acquisition Of a common school edu-
cation. But he cherished, neverthe-
less, lofty aspirations. and Immediate
ly after the emanciation of the slaves
he began to apply himself diligently
to the study of books.
At tremendous sacrifice to himself
and mother he engaged a private in
structor and for a season attended
night school, working during the day
in order that he might properly equip
himself for some high and useful
place in the body polite. Even while
quite young man he had formed
opinions of his own. and he took his
stand on the important public ques-
tons and showed fortitude Of spirit
to support his own convictions.
Many books have been written about
the civil war and the reconstruction
period, some in the form of historical
narratives, others as mere fiction. TAX
ing advantage Of the thrilling episodes
connected with the times. In many
OF these books racial characters fig
ure, but up to the present time there
Is not single book, as far as l can
now recall, that has been written by a
member of the race which adequately
sets forth the Negroes viewpoint re-
garding that stirring epoch.
Major Lynch appreciated this fact,
and so upon his retirement from the
army. realizing that he owed it to his
generation to tell of his remarkable
experiences, he addressed himself to
the task Of writing book-a much
needed book-dealing with the days
that tried mems souls He has finished
the work. and it will soon make its
appearance from a publishing concern
In New York city. This book. Facts
About Reconstruction" contains much
valuable information bearing on the
great political questions of today.
From 1862 to 1867 the questions
which engrossed the attention of po-
litical leaders in both parties were:
shall the Negro have the right to
voter shall the Negro have the pro-
lection Of the law" shall the Negro |
enjoy the accommodations, advantages,
facilities and privileges of inns, public
on land and water. the |
aters and other places Of public amuse-
mentsT" shall the Negro have the
right to serve as a witness and as a
Juror in the courts?' "Shall the Ne |
gro be provided with free public
Upon all these questions Senator |
Charles Sumner took the lead. He was
In favor Of our race having every right |
and privilege which others enjoyed.
He was at the time our Moses in the
United States senate, and Thaddeus
Stevens was the boldest champion Of
the black mans rights in the house |
The question which Major Lynch's
book settles Is this: Which pOlitica.
party took the wiser course. the Dem.
Ocratic or the Republican partyY
The fact Is. in this remarkable book |
the major has answered hundreds o.
important questions regarding the sta.
tus Of the Negro in the United States.
and he has answered them wisely The
book will be eagerly read by every
man who is in search Of the truth and |
who Is looking for clean. clear. sane.
practical view of the Negroes past po-
litical activities. This book should !
have a place in every mans library.
Major John R. Lynch is now resi-
dent of Chicago and resides at 1921 |