Reconstruction

by Brooks D. Simpson

  288.31–32 celebrated general . . . eminent naval officer] Ulysses S. Grant and Admiral David G. Farragut (1801–­1870).

  289.6 Senator, Doolittle] James R. Doolittle (1815–­1897), a Republican senator from Wisconsin, 1857–­69.

  289.9 Judge Kimmel] Francis M. Kimmel (1816–­1900), a lawyer in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, had served as the president judge of the court of common pleas in Somerset, Bedford, Fulton, and Franklin Counties, 1850–­60.

  289.14–16 elder clown . . . neck broken almost] Secretary of State Seward broke his jaw and right arm and injured his neck in a carriage accident in Washington, D.C., on April 5, 1865, nine days before he was attacked in his home by Lewis Powell.

  289.31 Colonel Forney’s Chronicle] See note 204.40.

  291.38–292.1 I introduced a bill . . . form loyal governments.] Stevens introduced the bill on May 28, 1866, and reintroduced it in a speech he gave on July 28, the day Congress adjourned.

  292.20–21 Governor Hamilton to Governor Holden] Andrew J. Hamilton and William W. Holden; see Biographical Notes.

  292.34–35 The noble men . . . traitors’ convention] A coalition of Democrats and conservative Republicans met in Philadelphia as the National Union Convention, August 14–­16, 1866, and adopted resolutions endorsing Johnson’s Reconstruction policies. The Southern Unionists Convention, also known as the Southern Loyalists Convention, met in Philadelphia, September 3–­7, and endorsed the enfranchising of black men in the southern states.

  293.13 Pennsylvania Convention] The Pennsylvania constitutional convention of 1837–­38.

  294.3–4 Second Session of the Thirty-­ninth Congress] The second session began on December 3, 1866.

  294.15 Earl Russell] Lord John Russell, 1st Earl Russell (1792–­1878), a Whig, served as foreign secretary, 1859–­65, and as prime minister, 1865–­66.

  297.23–24 walked by faith . . . by sight.] See 2 Corinthians 5:7.

  301.5–6 this bill] The bill provided for forming new state governments in the South; see note 291.38–­292.1.

  301.10 late decision of the Supreme Court] Ex parte Milligan; see note 265.14–­15.

  302.17–23 Watson . . . shot him dead] Dr. James L. Watson fatally wounded William Medley in Rockbridge County, Virginia, on November 14, 1866. Although Watson confessed to the shooting, he was released from custody by the Lexington magistrates court. Brigadier General John M. Schofield (1831–­1906), the assistant commissioner for Virginia in the Freedmen’s Bureau, ordered Watson’s arrest and trial by a military commission, and refused to honor a writ of habeas corpus issued for Watson by the Virginia circuit court in Richmond. On December 21, President Johnson ordered that the commission be dissolved after receiving an opinion by Attorney General Henry Stanbery that cited the Supreme Court’s decision in Ex parte Milligan.

  306.10 “de lunatico inquirendo.”] A writ ordering that the person named in the writ be examined for insanity.

  308.10 Rickety Weirze] Henry Wirz.

  309.27–28 “like clay . . . the potter,”] Cf. Romans 9:21.

  309.29–30 law of last session . . . Territories] The House passed a bill, 79–­43, on May 10, 1866, prohibiting the denial of suffrage in territorial elections on the grounds of race or color. Similar legislation passed the Senate, 24–­8, on January 10, 1867, and was agreed to by the House; the bill then became law without President Johnson’s signature.

  310.9–10 convention of southern loyalists,] See note 292.34–­35.

  311.40 “devils were . . . the houses.”] When Martin Luther was warned not to attend the Diet of Worms in 1521, he is reported to have replied: “Were there as many devils in Worms as tiles upon the roofs of the houses, still would I enter.”

  314.8–9 Alabama . . . signs of flinching] Robert M. Patton (1809–­1885), governor of Alabama, 1865–­68, sent a special message to the state legislature on December 7, 1866, in which he recommended that the legislature ratify the Fourteenth Amendment so that the state could be readmitted to Congress. The amendment was rejected by the senate, 27–­2, and by the house of representatives, 69–­8.

  314.28 President’s late message] Johnson’s second annual message to Congress, December 3, 1866.

  315.6 the Constitutional Convention] The election for delegates to the North Carolina constitutional convention of 1868 was held November 19–­20. Of the 120 delegates chosen, 107 were Republicans, including fifteen African Americans. The convention met in Raleigh, January 14–­March 17, 1868, and the new constitution was approved by the voters, 93,086–­74,016, April 21–­23.

  317.10 Great is Diana!”] Acts 19:28.

  318.3–4 REPORT of the majority . . . impeachment of the President] The House Judiciary Committee approved a resolution calling for impeachment, 5–­4, on November 25, 1867, and submitted a majority and two minority reports.

  318.8 two months since, we said] In an editorial published in Harper’s Weekly on October 5, 1867.

  318.10–11 he had issued . . . which forbade him.] Johnson issued an amnesty proclamation on September 7, 1867, that extended his proclamation of May 29, 1865. In January 1867 Congress had repealed the section of the 1862 Confiscation Act that authorized the president to issue proclamations extending pardon and amnesty to persons engaged in the rebellion.

  318.18–19 his removal of SHERIDAN and SICKLES] Johnson removed Major General Philip H. Sheridan as commander of the Fifth Military District, consisting of Louisiana and Texas, on August 17, 1867, and Major General Daniel E. Sickles (1819–­1914) as commander of the Second Military District, made up of North and South Carolina, on August 26.

  319.6–7 the Reconstruction bill] see Chronology, March 2, 1867.

  322.12–17 a man who . . . most feasible candidate] Ulysses S. Grant.

  323.19 the elections] The fall 1867 elections; see Chronology.

  326.26 the Howard Amendment] The Fourteenth Amendment, which was introduced in its final form in the Senate on May 29, 1866, by Jacob M. Howard, a Republican from Michigan.

  328.11 WINEGAR] Tourgée’s middle name, which he used to sign a series of letters that he contributed to the National Anti-­Slavery Standard in 1867–­68.

  329.3–4 Tribune . . . Be Impeached] This editorial was written by the managing editor of the New-­York Tribune, John Russell Young (see Biographical Notes), while Horace Greeley was away from New York City on a lecture tour.

  329.22 Warren Hastings] Hastings (1732–­1818), governor-­general of British India, 1772–­85, was impeached for misconduct after his return to England. His trial before the House of Lords extended, with long intervals, from 1788 to 1795 and ended in his acquittal on all charges.

  330.38–39 Lorenzo Thomas] Brigadier General Lorenzo Thomas (1804–­1875) was adjutant general of the U.S. Army, 1861–­69; see Chronology, February 1868.

  331.1–2 Mr. Coyle . . . Gen. Hancock] John Francis Coyle (c. 1820–­1905) was the co-­owner of the Washington National Intelligencer, 1865–­69, and a supporter of Johnson. Major General Winfield S. Hancock (1824–­1886) had replaced Sheridan as commander of the Fifth Military District in August 1867 (see note 318.19–­20).

  333.9 Philadelphia Convention] The pro-­administration National Union Convention, held in Philadelphia, August 14–­16, 1866.

  333.33–34 last annual message] Johnson sent his third annual message to Congress on December 3, 1867.

  334.4 Mr. Belmont] New York financier August Belmont (1813–­1890) was chairman of the Democratic National Committee, 1860–­72.

  335.30 the dead Douglas] Johnson attended the dedication of a memorial to Senator Stephen A. Douglas (1813–­1861) in Chicago, September 6, 1866, during his “Swing Around the Circle” speaking tour.

  337.3–4 Thaddeus Stevens . . . Impeachment] Stevens was ill and requested that Edward McPherson, the clerk of the House (see note 60.14–­15), read his speech for him.

  337.34 malum in se] Wrong in itself.r />
  337.35 gentleman from Pennsylvania] George W. Woodward (1809–­1875) served as a Democratic congressman from Pennsylvania, 1867–­71.

  338.26–27 Story’s Commentaries . . . the Constitution] Commentaries on the Constitution of the United States, first published in 1833 by Joseph Story (1779–­1845), an associate justice of the Supreme Court, 1811–­45; History of the Origin, Formation, and Adoption of the Constitution of the United States (1854–­58) by the historian and legal writer George Ticknor Curtis (1812–­1894).

  339.31–32 question of veracity, rather angrily discussed] Grant and Johnson exchanged a series of letters from January 24 to February 11, 1868, regarding Grant’s refusal to continue serving as secretary of war ad interim. The correspondence was made public and resulted in a final break between the two men.

  340.11–13 annual message . . . Congress are unconstitutional] In his message of December 3, 1867, Johnson described the three Reconstruction Acts passed by Congress, March 2–­July 19, 1867, as unconstitutional.

  341.4–5 Andrew Johnson . . . misprision of bribery] This charge was not included in the articles of impeachment voted by the House, March 2–­3, 1868.

  343.5 the proposed Constitution] Elections were held in Louisiana for a state constitutional convention, September 27–­28, 1867, that met in the Mechanics’ Institute in New Orleans from November 23, 1867, to March 9, 1868. The convention adopted a constitution that enfranchised black men, abolished property qualifications for office holding, established racially integrated public schools, and prohibited racial discrimination in public conveyances and accommodations. It was ratified by the voters, 51,737–­39,076, April 17–­18, 1868.

  343.7 slubberdegullions] Slobbering, dirty fellows.

  345.24 a lawyer] Benjamin F. Butler (1818–­1893) was a major general in the Union army, 1861–­65, and a Republican congressman from Massachusetts, 1867–­75 and 1877–­79. Elected governor of Massachusetts as a Democrat, he served a one-­year term in 1883, and was the presidential candidate of the Greenback and Anti-­Monopolist Parties in 1884.

  345.30 the Managers were overmatched] Besides Butler, the House managers were John Bingham (1815–­1900), a Republican congressman from Ohio, 1855–­63 and 1865–­73, and U.S. minister to Japan, 1873–­85; George S. Boutwell (1818–­1905), a Republican congressman from Massachusetts, 1863–­69, secretary of the treasury, 1869–­73, and a Republican senator from Massachusetts, 1873–­77; John A. Logan (1826–­1886), a Democratic congressman from Illinois, 1859–­62, a major general in the Union army, 1862–­65, a Republican congressman from Illinois, 1867–­71, and a senator, 1871–­77 and 1879–­86; Thaddeus Stevens (see Biographical Notes); Thomas Williams (1806–­1872), a Republican congressman from Pennsylvania, 1863–­69; and James F. Wilson (1828–­1895), a Republican congressman from Iowa, 1861–­69, and a senator, 1883–­95. Johnson was defended by Henry Stanbery (1803–­1881), who served as attorney general, July 1866–­March 1868; William M. Evarts (1818–­1901), who served as attorney general, July 1868–­March 1869, as secretary of state, 1877–­81, and as a Republican senator from New York, 1885–­91; Benjamin R. Curtis (1809–­1874), who served as an associate justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, 1851–­57; Thomas A. R. Nelson (1812–­1873), an Opposition congressman from Tennessee, 1859–­61, and wartime Unionist; and William S. Groesbeck (1815–­97), a Democratic congressman from Ohio, 1857–­59.

  346.25–26 Trumbull . . . Van Winkle] Lyman Trumbull (1813–­1896), senator from Illinois, 1855–­73; William Pitt Fessenden (1806–­1869), senator from Maine, 1854–­64 and 1865–­69, and secretary of the treasury, 1864–­65; James Grimes (1816–­1872), governor of Iowa, 1854–­58, and a senator, 1859–­69; John B. Henderson (1826–­1913), senator from Missouri, 1862–­69; Joseph Fowler (1820–­1902), senator from Tennessee, 1866–­71; and Peter Van Winkle (1808–­1872), senator from West Virginia, 1863–­69. All six senators were Republicans who had opposed Johnson’s policies, but nevertheless broke with their party and voted to acquit him.

  346.38–39 other charges . . . bad language in 1866] The tenth article of impeachment accused Johnson of attempting “to bring into disgrace, ridicule, hatred, contempt and reproach, the Congress of the United States” by making “certain intemperate, inflammatory and scandalous harangues.” After quoting passages from speeches the president gave in Washington, D.C., on August 12, Cleveland on September 3, and St. Louis on September 8, 1866, the article declared that Johnson had “brought the high office of the President of the United States into contempt, ridicule and disgrace,” and was thereby “guilty of a high misdemeanor in office.”

  347.1 trying to seduce General Emory] The ninth article charged Johnson with attempting on February 22, 1868, to give direct orders to Brevet Major General William H. Emory (1811–­1887), the commander of the Department of Washington, in violation of the Command of the Army Act, which required that all orders to the army go through Grant (see Chronology, March 2, 1867).

  347.13 his declaration . . . year and a half previously] In a speech Johnson gave in Washington, D.C., on August 12, 1866.

  348.15 the second and third] The second and third articles accused Johnson of violating the Tenure of Office Act by attempting to appoint Lorenzo Thomas as secretary of war ad interim on February 21, 1868.

  348.28 Caius Verres] Gaius Verres (c. 114 B.C.E.–­43), the Roman proconsul of Sicily, 73–­71, was prosecuted for corruption by Cicero in 70 B.C.E. The trial ended when Gaius fled Rome and went into exile in Massilia (Marseilles).

  348.32 Ross] Edmund G. Ross (1826–­1907), Republican senator from Kansas, 1866–­71, who voted to acquit Johnson. James Dixon (1814–­1873) of Connecticut, James R. Doolittle (1815–­1897) of Wisconsin, and Daniel Norton (1829–­1870) of Minnesota, three conservative Republicans who supported Johnson’s policies, also voted to acquit the president.

  350.3 Frank P. Blair to James O. Broadhead] An attorney in St. Louis, Broadhead (1819–­1898) served as U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Missouri, 1861–­62, and as provost marshal general for the Department of Missouri, 1863–­64. Blair’s letter was printed, with his approval, in the New York Herald on July 3, 1868.

  350.8–9 my name . . . the Democratic Convention] Broadhead nominated Frank P. Blair for president on July 9, 1868, after the convention had held eighteen ballots without result (under the rules, a two-­thirds majority was required to win the nomination). Blair received thirteen and a half votes on the nineteenth ballot. After Horatio Seymour was nominated on the twenty-­second ballot, Blair was unanimously chosen as the vice presidential candidate.

  352.19–21 Lord Granby’s character . . . without observation.] See Letters of Junius (1769–­72), letter VII, March 3, 1769. John Manners, marquess of Granby (1721–­1770), served as commander-­in-­chief of the forces, 1766–­70. “Junius” may have been the pseudonym of Sir Philip Francis (1740–­1818), a senior clerk in the war office.

  352.28–29 Governor Seymour . . . resist the drafts] Horatio Seymour (1810–­1886), the Democratic governor of New York, 1863–­64, had repeatedly criticized the wartime draft as unconstitutional.

  353.22–23 little effort . . . Mr. Chase] Chief Justice Chase sought the Democratic presidential nomination in 1868 and gained tentative support from several leading New York Democrats before the convention met, but received no more than four votes during the balloting.

  355.1–2 Cardinal Granville] Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle (1517–­1586), a French bishop in the service of Philip II of Spain, was chief counselor to Margaret of Parma (1522–­1586), the Spanish regent in the Netherlands, 1560–­64. He was removed by Philip after leading Dutch nobles protested against his influence.

  355.21–22 Henry A. Wise . . . Beauregard.] Wise (1806–­1876) was governor of Virginia, 1856–­60, and a brigadier general in the Confederate army, 1861–­65; Wade Hampton, see note 145.9–­10; Robert Toombs, see note 8.10–­11; Howell
Cobb, see note 142.28–­29. Nathan Bedford Forrest (1821–­1877), a Tennessee planter and slave trader before the war, served as a Confederate cavalry commander, 1861–­65, and was promoted to lieutenant general; after the war he became the first grand wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, 1867–­69. Pierre G. T. Beauregard (1818–­1893) was a Confederate general, 1861–­65. Both Hampton and Forrest were delegates to the 1868 Democratic national convention.

  355.22–23 evil spirits cast . . . herd of swine.] See Matthew 8:28–­34, Mark 5:1–­20, and Luke 8:26–­39.

  356.4 Arlington Heights] The Union army occupied the estate on Arlington Heights, which Mary Custis Lee (1808–­1873) had inherited from her father, on May 24, 1861, and established a national cemetery on its grounds in 1864.

  356.21 Colfax] Schuyler Colfax (1823–­1885) was a Republican congressman from Indiana, 1855–­69, Speaker of the House, 1863–­69, and vice president of the United States, 1869–­73.

  357.3 Gerrit Smith] A wealthy New York landowner, Smith (1797–­1874) was a philanthropist, social reformer, and abolitionist who helped found the antislavery Liberty Party in 1840 and was its presidential candidate in 1848, 1856, and 1860. Stanton and Smith were first cousins.

  357.27 read the signs of the times] See Matthew 16:3.

  359.12 Being in Ireland] Stanton visited Ireland in 1840.

  359.14 Repeal of the Union] Repeal of the Act of Union of 1800, which had abolished the Irish parliament in Dublin.

  359.25–26 defeated “negro suffrage” in Kansas.] On November 5, 1867, voters in Kansas defeated a proposed constitutional amendment extending suffrage to black men, 19,421–­10,483. In a separate referendum, an amendment enfranchising women was defeated, 19,857–­9,070. Stanton and Susan B. Anthony had canvassed the state on behalf of the women’s suffrage initiative in the late summer and fall.

  360.21–23 cruel and unjust laws . . . wives and daughters.] From 1854 to 1860 Stanton and Anthony had campaigned for the reform of the marital property and inheritance laws in New York State.