The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-08-02

number Of Glasses from the privilege OF
taking the oath Of allegiance, the most
significant exclusion being that Of oil per-
sons owning property worth over $4,000.
BY this provision johnson undoubtedly
meant to shut out the great planters and
former slave owners from sharing in the
work OF reconstruction. Nevertheless, I'LL
OF the former Confederate States but two
mississippi and Texas), ratified the Thir-
tenth Amendment, and had johnson been
allowed TO carry out his scheme OF re-
construction, all of the former Confed-
crate States would have promptly r9n-
tered the Union.
In December, 1868, however, the leaders
Of the Radical Republicans took control
ofaffairs in Congress with relentless energy.
They had come to the conclusion that the
South must be rCconstructeda second time,
that secessi0nists M At be excluded from
political life and that negroes must receive
votes, partly in order to defend themselves
against virtual reinstatement and partly
to guarantee Il large body of loyal that
is, Republican,, voters In the South. Prof
Smith points out that, at this time the
Republican party, viewed as u whole,
did not consider the negro qualified for
enfranchisernent This statement I've
deems proved by the fact that proposals
to confer the suffrage upon negroes in
Northern States were defeated at line ballot
box III Connecticut, Wisconsin and Min
nesota In 1896, and in Ohio, Minnesota,
and even in Kansas, in 1897 Why, then,
were the Radical leaders determined to
bring about the wholesale enfranclise-
nent Of the black rae" by the Fourteenth
and Fifteenth Amendments to the Federal
Constitution? Prof. Smith answers that
the Introduction Of negro suffrage in the
South was urged by philanthropists as
an act Of justice to an oppressed race; by
vindictlve Northerners as punishment
for secession, and by partisan politicians
las Ii party man0uvre." Elsew where we
read From the party point Of view.
Johnsoh's action in the matter of recon-
structionl was full Of danger to the Union
lists, since, with the abolition of slavery
lby the Thirteenth Amendment, the Con-
sttutional three-firths representation II
the negroes became full representa- ton,
adding several members TO the Southern
Should these, as was almost inevitable,
join forces with the Northern Democrats,
the Unionist party might well be outnum-
bered. both In Congress- and in the Electoral
Colleges. Such n prospect called into
activity every instinct of political self-
preservation Oh the part of Unionist
leaders"
We presume that all candid students Of
the Reconstruction period will accept the
conclusion reached by Prof. Smith with
reference to the impeachment of Andrew
johnson. He says on page 800 Party
cached it's height in an at
tempt to iInpeaoh the President. who re-
garied the Tenure-of- Office act AZ UNI
and tried to remove Secre-
tary Stanton, his bitter enemy, in apparent
defiance OF its terms. In an explosion OF
rage, the House Of Repressr ''tss voted
impeachment, and brought johnson to
trial before the Senate in March, 1868.
Public excitement was at fever heat, the
President being subjected to a tempest OF
sxecration, and accused not merely
Of violating the law, but Of planning to get
control Of the War Department in order
to carry out a coup detat The Senate,
however, although strongly Republican,
failed on technical grounds TO oonvic; him
by the narrow margin of one vote. Seven
Republican Senators who separs ted from
their party in this vote were ruired politi-
rally, but the decision Is universally re-
garded ct the present day ss fortunate
For the country and the stability OF the
Constitution.
Also likely TO meet with general approval
are Prof. Smiths comments on the r.
volt of the Liberal Republicans and the
nomination Of Horace Greeley for the
Presidency In 1872 AT frs, the movo-
nent seemed extremely promising, owing
% tho character of the leaders, men like
Of Illinois. Brown Of Missouri,
Julian Of Indiana, Sumner and c. F. Adams
Df Massachusetts,; but, owing to u series Of
he convention nominated Horace
Greeley, he eccentric. impulsive editor
Of the New York Tribune. The candidate
and he platform, which demanded &c
uuiesccncc in the results Of Raccnst ruction,
while throwing is principal emphasis
upon the cry Of reform, were both adopted
by The Democrats on July 0. 1872: but the
coalition was hopeless from the start
The country was NJ the height Of pros-
peri,y; Grants popularity With the masses
was mistaken. and Grecley's personal
pecnliaritiee rendered him almost absurd
rs rival to the war hero. He not only
could not draw more than handful from
The Republicans, but could not even com
Mand full Democratic support; aud the