Why the solid South? or, Reconstruction and its results

Front matter

CORNELL

UNIVERSITY

LIBRARY

Chapter I. Reconstruction At Washington

Lincoln's death calamity to the South, 1 ; Lincoln's theory of Reconstruction, 1, 2 ; Stevens' theory— Sumner's, 2 ; Lincoln's plan in message of 1863, 2, 3 ; Act of Congress, July, 1864— Lincoln's pocket veto— Winter-Davis protest, 4-6 ; Congress adjourned leaving Lincoln to carry out his own policy — Lincoln has prepared the proclamation — Johnson subsequently adopts, 5, 6 ; Blaine's opinion— comments, 6, 7 ; Andrew Johnson retains Lincoln's cabinet — issueB Lincoln's North Carolina proclamation, 8, 9 ; Civil governments rapidly restored, 9-11 ; Congress convenes, 11 ; Sherman shows Johnson is following Lincoln plan, 12 ; Stevens determined to "secure perpetual ascendency to, party of the Union"— Joint committee on reconstruction, 13, 14 ; Veto of civil rights bill— split in cabinet, 14, IS ; Rejection of 14th Amendment— causes, 15, 16 ; The Freedmon's Bureau— its evil influences — Grant's report, 16-18 ; The Committee of Fifteen — its methods, 18-20 ; Republicans victorious in Congressional elections, 21 ; Impeachment, 21, 22 ; Negro Suffrage for the District of Columbia, 22, 23 ; Taken away by Republicans themselves -in 1874, 24 ; Congress decided, in 1867, war was not over and passed reconstruction laws supplanting civil authorities by military power, 24-26 : McArdle case, 26 ; Lincoln to Shepley, 27 ; Senator Wilson's prophecy that these acts would Republicanize the South— its fulfillment, 27, 28.

CHAPTER n.

RECONSTRUCTION IN ALABAMA.

Wretched condition of people in 1865, 29 ; Old political feuds still divided them, 25-30 ; Senator Fessenden on Freedmen's Bureau, 30; Bureau's influence over colored man, 30-31 ; Vagrancy laws— Blaine's comments in " Twenty Years in Congress " and New England Statutes cited in reply, 31-36 ; Reflections on self-government, 36, 37; Representatives refused admission to Congress — exultation of blacks, dejection of whites — Friction between races —

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Gen. Pope placed in command of District, headquarters at Atlanta; Gen. Swayne of Alabama, headquarters at Montgomery, 38, 39 ; Gen. Clanton organizes opposition or Conservative party — Discussion between Gen. Clanton and Senator Wilson — Biot in Mobile— Gen. Pope appoints Horton Mayor of Mobile— Horton's amusing decision in case of Charles Archie Johnstdn, 39-41 ; Gen. Swayne a prospective candidate for the United States Senate — Union League, excluding many native whites, admitting blacks— its Montgomery Council declares league right arm of Republican party, thus forming black man's party, 41, 42 ; Attractive mysteries to the freedmen— the oath, the forms and ceremonies, 42, 43 ; Gen. Pope's prophecy, 43 ; Conservative Convention— its small numbers— Colored men planning to forcibly prevent its meeting— Card of Republican colored "Special Committee on the Situation," 44; Constitutional Convention, Nov. 5, 1867 — all its members friends of reconstruction — its discussions —thirteen members, at its close, protest against' proposed constitution— whites despondent — many leave the eta e, 44, 45 ; Pope relieved— Gen. Meade in command, 45 ; Election for ratification of constitution ordered— State officials to be elected at the same time— Republican nominations, 46, 47 ; Sumner " would not see new states born of the bayonet " — Gen. Meade declares constitution defeated by 8,114 votes according to law of its submission, and this defeated all the nominees for state officers — Remarkable report of reconstruction committee that subsequent change of law could affect election already held — Congress adopts constitution — Meade's report rejected and defeated nominees installed, 47-50 ; State credit high, 51 ; Extravagant railroad legislation, over- issues of bonds — frauds — increase of debt, 61-53 ; Illiterate office-holders, 53, 54 ; election of 1870 — Republican quarrels — Lindsay, Democrat, elected Governor— Smith calls on troops to retain him in office, then abandons contest— Lindsay's administration unsuccessful, 55-57 ; Lewis, Republican, elected Governor, 1872— Dual Legislature — U. S. troops again called on, 67-59 ; The judiciary, amusing charge to grand jury, 59-61 ; Campaign of 1874— State debt, the military, hand-cuffs, overflow bacon — Democrats redeem the state, 61-65 ; A new constitution, reduction of salaries and expenses — prosperity, debt, schools, figures, reflections, 61-69.

Chapter III. Reconstruction In North Carolina

General reflections— War was for restoration of the Union, 70, 71 ; Theory was secession void and States not out of the Union— This recognized by all branches of the Government —case of Amy Warwick— case of James Eagnn— Reverdy Johnson— minority repurt, 71-74 j Congress dissolves the Union by Act of Congress, and North Carolina put under military rule, 74, 75; The excuse for this legislation— the facts, 75, 76 ; Election of delegates to Convention— methods and results— the real question on the vote for constitution, 77, 78 ; New government inaugurated— complexion of Legislature— raid on treasury begun— school fund —

CONTENTS. vij

W. ft W. MdW. & M Railroads robbed— Li ttlefleld and Swepson ring— anecdote of Cuffy, 79,80; Railroad bonds authorized and issued— rates of taxation— County bonds, 80, 81; Courts of Justice, 81, 82 ; (14,000,000 bonds Issued— not a mile of railroad built, 82 ; The Schooner Act — martial law — two regiments, one white, one negro— court-martial — habeas corpus— C.J. Pearson and Governor Holden— state ablaze with excitement— a new election approaches— state redeemed, 82-84.

Chapter IV. Reconstruction In South Carolina

Complexion of state Convention January, 1868, 89 ; Scott elected Governor— Complexion of General Assembly— Moses speaker, 86 ; " Pike's Prostrate state," 86, 8T ; General election law, 87, 88; State-House furniture— census law, 89 ; State bank fraud— Homes for the homeless, 90, 91; Another election law, 91, 92; Militia laws -Campaign for Governor— 96,000 negro militia enrolled — fraudulent arms contracts — use made of militia, 92-95 ; Scott's remarkable veto, 95 ; Impeachment : how prevented— Blue Ridge and G. & C. Railroad frauds, 96, 97 ; Financial Agent Kimpton, 97, 98 ; Legislative ring— Printing frauds, 99, 100 ; President suspends habuu corpus in nine counties— Causes of disorder, 100, 101 ; Moses elected Governor—High taxes— Fall of values— Tax sales— Tax-payers' Convention, 101, 102 ; Fruitless mission of Committee to Washington, 102, 103 ; Patterson elected Senator— Bribery — Corrupt use by Moses of pardoning power, 104 ; Two hundred trial justices who could not read or write, 104, 105; Chamberlain elected Governor— Efforts at reform, 105, 106 ; Moses and Whipper elected judges— Chamberlain refuses to commission them, 107-109 ; Race conflicts, 109;- Hampton elected — Democratic administration — Peace — Order— Reduced taxes — Increased values — Prosperity, 109, 110.

Chapter V. Reconstruction In Georgia

Condition in 1865— opportunity for statesmanship, 112 ; Harsh measures— Freedman's Bureau — Amnesty proclamation — Confiscation proceedings, 114 ; James Johnson, provisional Governor— State Convention— State obligations repudiated, 115, 116; General Assembly laws — Stephens and Herschel Johnson elected Senators, 116, 117 ; Members of Congress-elect refused admission —Freedman's Bureau provokes irritation between races, 118; Reconstruction Acts of 1867 — Convention — Foster Blodgett — Gen. Pope in the Convention — Meade succeeds Pope and seizes State revenues, 120-122 ; Gov. Jenkins — Bill for injunction in Supreme Court— Constitution, its provisions— Eligibility of negro to office— Constitution declared rativiii CONTENTS.

fled- Got. Bullock, 122, 123; General Assembly— Remarkable manner of organizing— Meade's refusal to interfere, 124, 125 ; Joshua Hill and Miller elected U. S. Senators— Negro members unseated— Supreme Court decides in faror of right of negro, 126, 127 ; Military methods of administration depicted— Ashburn case— exasperating proceedings, 127-130 ; Gov. Bullock and test oath— Special Act of Congress to promote reconstruction of the State — 11 The Government has determined in this Republic Republicans shall rule," 130, 131 ; House organized by Harris detailed by Governor— his rulings — Gen. Terry helps decide questions of eligibility of members of General Assembly, 132 ; Congress decides Georgia was a State in the Union before it bad passed supplemental act reconstructing her, 133 ; Extrsiva gance — Railroad legislation, 133-135 ; H. I. Kimball — Foster Blodgett again— Debt, increase of, 135-137 ; Election law of 1870— Exciting campaign— State redeemed, 138, 139.

Chapter VI. Reconstruction In Florida

The two factions of the Republican party— Reed and Billings, 140; Geo. W. Scott, Democratic candidate for Governor— Election methods — Reed declared elected and new Constitution ratified, 141 ; Reed's good beginning, 142 ; Salaries 1860 and 1868, compared, 142, 143 ; Rapid increase of expenditures— figures , 143, 144 ; Election law — Public advertising— secret fund, 145 ; Factional troubles — Got. Reed's quo warranto v* . Lt. Gov. Gleason as non-resident- Secretary State Alden removed, 145 ; Impeachment proceedings against Got. Reed— Report sustaining charges— Charges of bribery— Reconciliation of factions, 146, 147 ; Sale of Fa. & Ga. R. R , 148 ; A Cabinet officer, two State Senators and Gen. Littlefleld indicted for bribery — One convicted and pardoned— Public credit suffering, 149 ; Expenses 1860, 1869 compared, 150 ; Impeachment proceedings against Reed still pending — Florida R, R. Co. in Court — exposures, 151-153 ; A forged law— attempted use of it, 153, 154 ; Election for Congressman and Lt. Governor— False certificates, 155 ; New Legislature— forged returns, 156 ; Gleason's remarkable entry into the Legislature from Dade, 156, 157; Increase In debt and taxation — figures, 157, 158 ; Governor complains of Littlefield's frauds, 158 ; Impeachment revived — articles unanimously adopted by General Assembly— Democratic Lt. Governor about to get office by jndgment of the court and Impeachment dropped, 158, 159 ; Elections for Governor and Congressmen — methods and results, 159, 160 ; Republican Got. Hart's plain words— Bribery— Thieving— Election frauds, 160, 161 ; Hart's efforts ineffectual—" Gala day for the colored brother," 161, 162 ; Election methods and cases, 162-164 ; Congressman Purman on Governor Stearns, 165 ; Prostitution of TJ. S. Courts, 165 ; Fait of values, 1867 to

1875 — figures, 166 ; Receipts and expenditures— figures school statistics— Comparisons

CONTENTS. ix

Chapter VII

Agalnet secession, but seceded when coercion attempted, 170 ; Andrew Johnson military Governor, Lincoln plan— Military Got. Johnson's proclamation for county elections in March, 1861 — Few Totes, 171, 172; Presidential campaign of 18G4 — Enrollment of milit'ti, — Got. Johnson ordered test-oath — Nashville Convention plan — Soldiers six montbs in state to Tote — McClellan ticket withdrawn, 172-175 ; Small rote at Presidential election— Johnson elected Vice-President— Ex-Committee call Convention at Nashville for 9th January, 180.5, 175; Convention met — Few delegates had credentials from primary meetings— Abolish (8 slavery — Suspends statutes of limitations — Affirms Got. Johnson's acts— Legislates— Nominates Brownlow for Governor, 176 ; Election February 22d, 176 ; Another election March 4th — Peculiar general ticket system— Brownlow chosen, a Legislature also, 177 ; Confederacy failing— Legislature convenes April 2d— Browqlow inaugurated April 6th, 178; Lee's Burrender— Disposition of returning Confederates, 178, 179 ; View of Governor and Legislature- Law excluding Confederates from ballot-box— Prescriptive legislation, 17P, 180 ; Governor's proclamation, threatening those who may violate election law— His address, 18), 1S2 ; August election for members of Congress— Votes of 29 counties cast out— Results— Members-elect not admitted, 182, 183 ; Brownlow's views on negro suffrage, 184, 185 ; Legislation as to freedmen, 185; More prescriptive legislation, 185,186; Proceedings to obtain quorum in Legislature— Habeas corpus granted by Judge Frazier— His impeachment and conviction, 187, 188 ; Fourteenth Amendment adopted — Tennessee members and Senators admitted— President Johnson's message thereupon, 188, 189 ; Got.

Brownlow's messagp-%GQ^$e9erateB excluded from jury-box— Negroes enfranchised — Tests to exclude Confederates made more rigid, 190, 191 ; The Brownlow militia— Extraordinary powers— Factions — Conservative and Radical Repub'icans — Radicals nominate Brownlow — Conservatives, Etheridge— The canvass — The State Guards— Their organization — Their conduct during the canvass — Brownlow's faction triumphant, 193-198; The Alden ring at Nashville, its outrages and robberies, 198- 200 ; New Legislature, October, 1867 — Ratifies Brownlow's irregular or unlawful acts— Its legislation — County guards— county police— Sheriff paid as captain of infantry, etc., 200-203 ; The Ku-klux — Call on Gen. Thomas for IT. S. troops— Extra session— Petition for repeal of franchise law — More amendments to militia law — Law against Ku-klux, 203-210 ; Origin of Ku-klux Klan, 210 ; Presidential election, 1868, 210 ; Governor proclaims martial law in certain counties — Brownlow elected Senator — D. W. C. Senter, Speaker of the House, inaugurated Governor, 212 ; Extravagance and corruption of 34th General Assembly — Cost of State Guards — Increase of debt, 212-214 ; The August election approaching— Stokes, Radical, and Senter, Conservative Republican, candidates — issue the repeat of the franchise law— Senter and Conservative Legislature elected— Constitutional Convention January, 1870— Peace and prosperity, 214, 215.

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Chapter VIII. Reconstruction In Virginia

Conventions at Wheeling Hay 13th and June 11th — Convention elected Plerpoint Governor and two IT. S. Senators— Congressmen elected in May— Congress recognized Wheeling Government, 216, 217 ; New state proposed— Attorney-General Bates* protest, 217, 218; West Virginia formed— How, 219-221; Restored Virginia at Alexandria— Gen. Ben Butler's derisive treatment— Pierpoint*s appeal to Lincoln, 221-224 ; Lincoln's theory of Restoration — Evidence as to, 225-230 ; Pierpoint's Government in Richmond repeals disfranchising laws and completes reorganization of state, 230-232; Representatives of Virginia barred out of Congress— Why ? 232-234 ; Mr. Stevens— The Committee of Fifteen, 234-236 ; Review — Military rule — Freedman's Bureau, 236-238 ; Legislation respecting freedmen, 238-244 ; The Courts under Reconstruction, 244-240 ; Virginia " civiliter mortuus" — Gen. Stoneman's Beport— Republican factions — The Committee of Nine — Disfranchising clauses stricken out — Constitution adopted — State restored, 249-253 ; The Constitutional question — Practically settled forever— Conclusion, 257.

Chapter IX. Reconstruction In West Virginia

Division of sentiment on questions relating to Civil War — Many in both armies, 258, 259 ; Constitution of 1863, 260 ; First appearance of test oath, 261 ; Election fall of 1864 — Little opposition to Republican candidates — Election law amended in February, 1865 — Remarkable provisions, 261-263 ; Proposed constitutional amendment, 263 ; How control over the suffrage was given to the Governor, 264, 265 ; Test-oath to punish certain attorney s-at- law, 261, 265 ; How constitutional amendment was adopted, -266, 267 ; Prescriptive legislation — No Virginian allowed to sue a loyal West Virginian, 267, 268 ; More proscription, 1868 — Andrew Johnson must be impeached and West Virginia tenders her assistance to the United States— Special acts to allow attorneys to practice — Also a young lady to teach school without test-oath, 268, 269 ; Democrats successful in elections 1870 — Review of conditions imposed by Legislature On Ex-Confederates, 270-272 ; How the state Courts sustained these laws, remarkable decisions— Cases cited, 272-276; Democratic Constitution of 1872 ended this class of litigation, 276 ; Decisions of state courts on the new legislation and of the U. S. Supreme Court cited, 276-278 ; Attorney's test-oath case— The State Court vs. U. S. Supreme Court and resolution of Legislature, 279 ; Edwin M. Stanton appears in a test-oath case— U. S. District Courts in contrast with state Courts, 279 ; Judgo

CONTENTS. xi

Nathaniel Harrison — His career on both tides of the line, 279-291 ; Col. Hounshell, ex- Confederate, kicked out of capitol for making charges against Harrison— Resolutions thereon, 281, 282 ; Harrison's subsequent career -It brings upon him new articles of impeachment— He flees the state— Resigns— Dies in Denver,- Colorado, 282-281; Democrats successful in 1870— Proscription passed— Prosperity begins, 281.

Chapter X. Reconstruction In Missouri

Constitutional Convention called by act of February, 1864 — Section III. of Constitution, 285-286 ; Election for ratification— Test-oath— Gen. Blair, 388— Ex parte Cummings— Bales of railroads, 289-290 ; Fraudulent county bonds— Supreme Court decisions — Judge and County Attorney shot to death — Conclusion, 291-293.

Chapter XI. Reconstruction In Arkansas

Condition at close of war — Election of delegates to Constitutional Convention — Submitted to people, 295-296 ; Constitution submitted under law requiring majority of registered vote- Law .changed after election had begun, too late for notice to reach voters, 296-297 ; Martial law— Negro Militia — Adjt.-Gen. Dansforth's letter— Militia outrages amnestied, 299 — Election laws and methods, 300-301 — Erasing registration books, 301 — Throwing out counties and products, 301-302 ; Election methods and laws, instances, 302-305 — Revenues — Oppressive Taxation, 305-306 — Extravagant expenditures — Particular instances — Figures — Tax sales, 306-308 — County and school district debts incurred, 308-399 — Fraudulent bonds to railroads, 310 ; Levee taxes and bonds, 310-311 — The Real Estate Bank and the North American Trust and Banking Co.— The ring exposed, 311-312 ; Bribery instances, 312-313 ; Miscellaneous outrages—Many from Poland's Report, 316-320.

Chapter XII. Reconstruction In Mississippi

Andrew Johnson on Reconstruction Acts, 321 ; Gov. Clarke calls Legislature to restore relations of the State to the Union— Legislature dissolved by military order— Gov. Clarke arrested, 321-323 ; President appoints Sharkey Provisional Governor— Constitutional Convention, composed almost exclusively of Union men— Its work, 323-326 ; President Informs Conxii CONTENDS.

gross — Mississippi and other states are restored— Gen. Grant's report as to condition of the South, 325-326 ; Congress refuses to admit Congressmen elect — Abolishes civil government of state — Substitutes Military rule — Enfranchises and disfranchises — Most of the whites abstain from voting for delegates to convention— A few capable and good men elected, 327-328 ; Constitutional Convention — Its membership— Its work — Test-oath, provided for trials away from locale by alleged crime— Mixed public schools, 328-330; Constitution rejected— Efforts to overcome rejection — Committee of five, 330-332 — Congress orders another election — Negroes drilled — Loyal League— Unfair apportionment— Republicans successful — State reconstructed, 332-333 ; Legislature, complexion— United States Senators — Negro and army officer Ames- Conflict of races organized — Freedman's Savings Bank— Character of officials, 333-335 ; Partisan judges— Spies— Military, 335-336; Gov. Ames declares it an " issue of race" — Educational system — The Chief embezzled, forged, stole and fled the state, 337 — Profligacy and extravagance, 338 ; Tax-payers' prayer, 338-339 ; Hon. Eugene Hale, description by, 339- 340; State redeemed in 1875 — Reduction of taxation — Redemption of lands sold for taxes, 340-312 ; Education— Dr. Mayo, 342 ; What Abraham Lincoln taught, 343-344 ; Lincoln to' Shepley— Henry Ward Beecher, 344-345 ; Lessons of History, 346-347 ; Concluding observations, 347-348.

CHAPTER XHZ

RECONSTRUCTION IN TEXAS.

Condition at close of War— comparatively prosperous in 1865, 349 ; Andrew J. Hamilton appointed Provisional Governor— New Constitu'ion adopted— Throckmorton elected Governor— his inaugural address, 351-353 ; Slavery abolished — War debt repudiated — Ordinance of secession declared null, 353 ; Telegram from President Johnson— Throckmorton's conservatism, 353-355 ; Freedman's Bureau operation?, 356 ; Burning of town of Brenham by drunken soldiers— Indignation— Committee reports facts, 356, 357 ; Murders in Gaudaloupa County— Circumstances, 357-359 ; Governor Throckmorton's correspondence on the subject with Gen. Sheridan and Brig.-Gen. Oakes, 360-365 ; Reconstruction Acts passed— Gov. Throckmorton accepts situation— Continues under Gen. Sheridan, 366; Gen. Sheridan removes Throckmorton— Appoints Pease, 367 ; Pease asks Gen. Hancock to appoint military tribunals— Hancock's refusal— Hancock removed— Military commissions— Prostrate judiciary, 368; Reconstruction Convention— Pease recommends Convention to disfranchise number sufficient to place state In hands of loyal persons, etc., 369 ; Character of Constitution—Davis made <Sovernor— 12th Legislature — Bribery and corruption, 369, 370; Passage of law authorizing Governor to select and enroll militia and to declare martial law, 371 872 ;Law of July lt 1870, established "elate police" and gave Governor absolute power over all executive officers, 372, 373; Terrorism under Davis— Gathlng's case, 374, 375 • Congressional elections October, 1871— Methods, 375, 376; Walker, Limestone and Free-

CONTENTS. xiii

stone' Counties, martial law in, 376, 377 ; Indebtedness of towns and connties Increased, 377 ; Increase of taxation and state debt— Credit destroyed— School fund robbed — Election of Democratic Governor and Legislature— Besto ation of credit— Reduction of taxation, 378, 379; Increase of population — Capital— School funds— Low taxes— Prosperous schools — No discrimination on account of color, 379-381 ; Conclusion, 381, 382.

Chapter XIV. Reconstruction In Louisiana

Introductory— Situation, 383-385 ; Steps from War to Peace— Election of Governor Hahn, February, 1864 — Election for Constitution, September 1864, 385, 386 ; Lincoln's course — Joint Resolution of Legislature, 387-389 ; The riot of July, 1866— Causes, 389-392 ; Military Governmeut in Peace— Sheridan — Hancock— Packard— Registration methods— Methods under Lincoln, at war, 1864 — Methods in peace, 1868, under reconstruction— Contrasted, 392-397; The Advent of Warmothism — Methods— Board of Registration — Expenses— Returning Board methods— Bribery — Instances and figures, 397-403 ; Warmothism— Expendltyres contrasted — Debt and taxation— Figurej— Constabulary law — Metropolitan Police— Gatting and Napoleon guns — Infantry, cavalry, artillery and state navy — How Governor obtained control of judiciary— Complete Dictatorship — Profligacy and corruption— United States troops and Deputy Marshals— Republican factions at War— General Emery interferes— Election of 1872 —Disputed result— Kellogg vs. Warmoth— WarmotVs hitherto unsigned law— Durell's Midnight order— Senator Carpenter's Report— United States artillery in possession of State Capitol— Kellogg installed— Colfax Riot, 403-417 ; Warmoth-Kelloggism— Metropolitan Police increased — Cavalry — Artillery — Tax registers — Registration and election laws Improved on — Profits of debt scaling— Figures— Collisions between people and military— Democratic victory of 1874 reversed by Returning Board— Do Trobriand— Troops march Democrats out of Legislative Hall— They again disperse legal Legislature in 1875— General Sheridan, 417-424 ; Final struggle for supremacy— Democrats victorious — Returning Board again, 424-427; Shrinking of values— Figures— Increase of debt— Figures— Conclusion, 421-429.

CHAPTER XV. SUNRISfi

Prosperity follows the restoration of good government — South advancing— The last ' decade — Figures from Manufacturer's Record, as to assessed values, railroads, agricultural products, mining, manufacturing, banking, 430-434 ; Rates of percentage of increase threefold greater South than North and West, 435 ; Vice-President Morton's interview, 436, 437 ; Education of the negro— Statistics, 433, 439 ; The race question, 439-442* — Appendix, 413.

Preface

PERHAPS in no particular is the intellectual progress of this age more notable than in the ever increasing public demand for accurate history. In the phenomena of preceding ages we seek the causes of existing conditions. Of these existing conditions the most potent factor is to be found, of course, in the immediate past. The lessons drawn from recent experience will always, therefore, be the most valuable that history can teach ; provided only we get the facts, correctly before us. The difficulties when one writes of what happened only twenty and twenty-five years ago are twofold, resting both with the writer and the reader. The former must school himself to an impartial study of his topic that he may write correctly; the latter must endeavor to lay aside prejudice that he may judge fairly. The authors of the articles which comprise this volume, each agreed when he undertook the task assigned him to write as impartially as possible, to "understate rather than to

xy xvi PREFACE.

overstate facts." In like manner the reader is invited to judge calmly and dispassionately of the statements these writers have made, and draw his own inferences. He may possibly conclude that each has failed in greater or less degree in his effort to write dispassionately; but he will probably be more ready to overlook any exhibitions, if such there be, of temper, that ought to have been restrained, when he remembers that we were all parts of what we relate.

A complete history of reconstruction in all the states would fill many volumes. The plan of this work has been to condense into a chapter the controlling facts in relation to each state. It is hoped that we may thus arrest the attention of men who can devote to public affairs only a few hours of their time.

Each article is signed by its author, who thus becomes directly responsible for the truth of his statements.

The parallelism throughout the history of all these states, whether in lines of retrogression or of progress^ furnishes a striking illustration of the truism. — Like causes produce like effects.

PREFACE.' xvii

This work has not been undertaken with any such impracticable purpose as agitating for the repeal of the Fifteenth Amendment, or for the deportation of the negro. Its object is to show to the public, and! more especially to those business men of thex North, who have made investments in' the South, or who have trade relations with their Southern fellow-citizens, the consequences which once followed an interference in the domestic affajrs of certain states by those, who either did not understand the situation or were reckless of results. A thorough comprehension of the facts we attempt to portray will, it is believed, at least- aid the reader in deciding what ought not to be done by the Federal Government. Even this much will be of value in the solution of one of the pressing problems of to-day, for, however it may be in morals, in statesmanship, it is undoubtedly true that sins of commission are generally more fatal than sins of omission.

Hilary A. Herbert.

WHY THE SOLID SOUTH?

OB,

RECONSTRUCTION AND ITS RESULTS.

Chapter I. Reconstruction At Washington

UNDER ABRAHAM UNCOMJ.

THE death of Abraham Lincoln was an appalling calamity— especially -to the South. Had the crazy assassin withheld his hand, reconstruction could never have been formulated, as it was, into -the Acts of March 2d and March 23d, 1867.

Mr. Lincoln's leading thought in the conduct of the war was the preservation of the -Government of the fathers; and he took issue squarely with those who, like Mr.' Sumner, were seeking to take advantage of the times and " change this Government from its original form and make it a strong centralized power."* He believed the Government to be, as Chief Justice Chase afterwards defined it, in Texas vs. White, (t an indestructible union composed of indestructible states. " Upon this idea of the constitution he based his theory of restoration, — a theory which, at the time of his death, was well known, though it appears to have since been industriously forgotten. ' This theory was, that the insurrectionary states, notwithstanding the war, still ex^ isted as states — that they were never out of the Union and were always subject to the constitution. Hence it

followed that- those people of these several states, who we entitled to vote by the laws existing at the date of the i tempted acts of secession, had, when they returned to th< ^allegiance and were pardoned, the power of reconstructii in their own hands. Oh this theory President - Linco aided the people to set up state governments in Tennesst Louisiana and Arkansas — all without any aid from Gongre

But from the beginning there were eminent Kepublica in Congress who denied the authority of the President "intermeddle," as they called it, in this business, early as 1861, Mr. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, had a nounced the doctrine, that the constitution and laws we suspended where they could not be enforced ; that those wl had defied them could not invoke their protection, and th Congress could legislate for such rebellious territory outsk of and without regard to the Constitution.

Mr. Sumner laid down the proposition, in resdlutioi introduced February 11th, 1862, that, by .attempting secede, a state had committed suicide, and its soil hi become territory subject to the supreme control of Coj gress. Both of these theories, which did not differ in resul denied to the President any power whatever in the premises

But Mr. Lincoln seems always to have stood on the declar; tion made by Congress in July, 1861 : that the war wi being waged <rto defend thgsflanatitution and all laws in pu suance thereof, and to preserve the union, with all the dignit; equality and rights of the several states unimpaired ; that < soon as these objects' were accomplished, the war ought cease, " &c.

Pursuing steadily the spirit of these resolutions, eve down to the day of his unhappy death, reconstruction i practiced by him was, simply, restoration of civil autho ity in the insurgent, but still existent states by the peop thereof, aided by the military power of the United States.

More than two years after this question of power ha begun to be mooted in Congress the President formulate and communicated to that body, in his message of Decen ber 8th, 1863, the plan he proposed thereafter to.folloA In no material particular did it differ from the theoi

KECONSTKUCTION AT WASHINGTON. 3

upon which he had theretofore acted. He said : " Looking now to the present and future, and with reference to a resumption of the national authority within the states wherein that authority has been suspended, I have thought fit to issue a proclamation, a copy of which is herewith transmitted. "

In the proclamation, embracing the plan, he offers par>- don to all who will swear " henceforth " to support the Constitution of the United States, &c, and proclaims that when those who, accepting this amnesty, shall have taken the oath of allegiance, each " being a qualified voter by the election laws of the state, existing immediately before the so-called act of secession, and excluding all others', shall re-establish a state government, which shall be. republican and in no wise contravening said oath ; such shall be recognized as the true government of the state," etc., etc.

This was President Lincoln's plan for restoring the insurgent states to the Union ; it left the question of su " frage entirely iu the hands of those who were qualified^to vote under the laws existing at the date of secession^it was precisely this proposition— viz., that each insurgent state, at the time of rehabilitation, must decide for itself whether it would adopt negro suffrage — that angered the Republicans in Congress when acted on by Andrew Johnson ; and culminated in the impeachment proceedings*

But Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson were two different persons. Johnson was pugnacious-r-seeking always. to beat down his adversary and never to conciliate. Lineoln, on the other hand, never needlessly antagonized those who could be won to his views, though he was accustomed to adhere to his matured opinions with inflexible purpose; as we shall see he did in this case, in the face of the fiercest opposition.