record of
the race is not significant.

This meeting on the whole was a success, above and beyond that of any
other hitherto held. The attendance was large, the enthusiasm ran
higher, and the financial support secured far exceeded that of other
meetings. There was expressed a general interest in the plans for the
future prosecution of the work and the intention to give it more
support that it may be extended in all of its ramifications throughout
this country and even abroad.

THE JOURNAL

OF

NEGRO HISTORY

VOL. VII--APRIL, 1922--NO. 2

NEGRO CONGRESSMEN A GENERATION AFTER

The period of reconstruction which followed the Civil War presented to
the statesmen of that time three problems of unusual significance.
These were: what should be the status of the eleven Confederate
States; what should be done with the leaders of the Confederacy; and
finally, what should be the role to be played by the several millions
of freedmen? In the effort to deal effectively with these problems the
Thirty-ninth and Fortieth Congresses adopted a reconstruction policy
which provided for the readmission of the formerly rebellious States
to the Union, the imposition of political disabilities upon many
former Confederates, and the bestowal of citizenship and suffrage upon
the freedmen. Upon the enlarged electorate the reconstruction of the
States was undertaken.

That the freedmen, comprising in many communities a preponderance of
voting power, should elect to public office ambitious outstanding men
of their race was expected. At that time, therefore, Negroes attained
not only local and State offices of importance, but also sat in the
United States Congress. Indeed, during the period from 1871 to 1901,
the latter year marking the passing of this type of Congressman,
twenty-two Negroes, two of whom were senators, held membership in
Congress. It seems, moreover, that men like Menard of Florida,
Pinchback of Louisiana, Lee and others, though unable to prove their
contentions, were, nevertheless, contestants with good title.

This situation, no less unique than it was interesting, has become the
source of interminable debate. It has been contended that because of
the ignorance of the blacks, in letters, in manners, in business, and
in the affairs of State, it was a serious mistake to enfranchise them,
thus making possible for a period however brief their virtual
direction of the political affairs of some of the Southern S