Twenty Years of Congress, Volume 2 | Page 4

PROMPT VETO.--PASSED OVER HIS OBJECTIONS.--CONGRESS ADJOURNS TO JULY 3D.--SECOND SUPPLEMENTARY ACT OF RECONSTRUCTION.--ANOTHER VETO.--OMINOUS WORDS FROM THE PRESIDENT.-- REPUBLICANS DISQUIETED.--CONGRESS ADJOURNS TO NOVEMBER.--THE SOUTH PLACED UNDER MILITARY GOVERNMENT.--PRACTICAL RECONSTRUCTION.-- CONVENTIONS IN THE SOUTHERN STATES.--CONSTITUTIONS SUBMITTED TO THE PEOPLE.--SECOND SESSION FORTIETH CONGRESS.--AGGRESSIVE MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT.--SOUTHERN STATES RE-ADMITTED TO REPRESENTATION.--ANOTHER VETO FROM THE PRESIDENT.--RECONSTRUCTION CONTEST PRACTICALLY ENDED.-- REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS FROM THE SOUTH.--MISTAKES OF FORMER SLAVE-HOLDERS.--UNFORTUNATE BLUNDERS.--PECULIAR MENTAL QUALITIES OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON.--THE VETO POWER.--ITS INFREQUENT USE BY EARLIER PRESIDENTS.--EXAMPLE OF JACKSON.--FOLLOWED BY HIS SUCCESSORS.-- DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DEMOCRATIC AND WHIG PRESIDENTS.--MR. TYLER AND MR. JOHNSON.--RATIFICATION OF THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT.--PROCLAIMED BY MR. SEWARD.--IMPORTANCE OF ITS PROVISIONS.--SINGULAR HOSTILITY OF THE DEMOCRATS.--A NEW CHARTER OF FREEDOM.--SWEEPS AWAY OPPRESSION AND EVERY DENIAL OF JUSTICE.--CREDIT OF IT CONCEDED TO THE REPUBLICANS.
CHAPTER XIII.
GOVERNMENT FINANCES AFTER THE WAR.--DIFFICULTIES OF THE SITUATION.-- INTREPIDITY OF CONGRESS.--ITS GREAT TASK.--$600,000,000 BILL.--SUMMARY OF PUBLIC DEBT, DECEMBER, 1865.--FUNDED AND FLOATING OBLIGATIONS.-- AGGREGATE DEBT, JANUARY 1, 1866, $2,730,491,745.--$1,600,000,000 FLOATING OBLIGATIONS.--MR. McCULLOCH'S ESTIMATES.--HIS FINANCIAL POLICY.--CONTRACTION THE LEADING FEATURE.--WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE REPORT A FUNDING BILL.--HOUSE DEBATES THEREON.--SENATE DEBATE.--FINAL PASSAGE.--REVENUE LAWS IN CONGRESS.--CONTRASTED WITH BRITISH PARLIAMENT.--LARGE REDUCTION OF INTERNAL TAXES.--SECOND REDUCTION OF INTERNAL TAXES.--CONTRACTION POLICY OPPRESSIVE.--INDIRECT RELIEF.-- HOSTILITY RAPIDLY INCREASES.--PROGRESS OF FUNDING BILL.--REPEAL OF CONTRACTION BILL.--ITS EVIL EFFECTS.--FURTHER REDUCTION OF INTERNAL TAXES.--FINANCIAL ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE GOVERNMENT.--LARGE REDUCTION OF NATIONAL DEBT.--VALUABLE TREASURY OFFICIALS.--PURCHASE OF ALASKA.-- PRICE, $7,200,000 IN GOLD COIN.--PURCHASE AT FIRST UNPOPULAR.-- RESISTANCE IN THE HOUSE.--MR. WASHBURNE AND GENERAL BUTLER OPPOSE.-- TREATY ABLY SUSTAINED BY GENERAL BANKS.--INTERESTING DEBATE.--MANY PARTICIPANTS.--POWER OF THE HOUSE RESPECTING TREATIES.--CHRONIC CONTROVERSY.--THE BILL PASSED.--OPINION OF JUDGE McLEAN.--OF MR. JEFFERSON.--EXTENT OF ALASKA.--VALUE OF IT.--ITS ELEMENTS OF WEALTH.-- FIRST NORTHERN TERRITORY ACQUIRED BY THE UNITED STATES.--NEGOTIATION ABLY CONDUCTED BY MR. SEWARD.
CHAPTER XIV.
IMPEACHMENT OF PRESIDENT JOHNSON.--FIRST MOVEMENT THERETO.--MR. ASHLEY'S GRAVE CHARGES.--GENERAL GRANT'S IMPORTANT TESTIMONY.-- JUDICIARY COMMITTEE DIVIDE.--IMPEACHMENT DEFEATED, DECEMBER, 1867.-- ANALYSIS OF VOTE.--SUSPENSION OF MR. STANTON.--TENURE-OF-OFFICE LAW.-- SENATE DISAPPROVES MR. STANTON'S SUSPENSION.--MR. STANTON RESTORED AS SECRETARY OF WAR.--AN UNWELCOME CABINET OFFICER.--PREVIOUS VIEWS OF LEADING STATESMEN.--PRESIDENT'S ANOMALOUS SITUATION.--HE REMOVES MR. STANTON.--APPOINTS LORENZO THOMAS Ad Interim.--SENATE CONDEMNS THE PRESIDENT'S COURSE.--IMPEACHMENT MOVED IN THE HOUSE.--EXCITING DEBATE. --IMPEACHMENT CARRIED.--MANAGERS APPOINTED.--ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT PRESENTED TO THE SENATE.--THOMAS EWING NOMINATED FOR SECRETARY OF WAR. --NOT CONFIRMED.--COURT OF IMPEACHMENT.--THE CHIEF JUSTICE.--THE PRESIDENT'S COUNSEL.--JUDGE CURTIS.--MR. EVARTS.--MR. GROESBECK.--THE PRESIDENT'S ANSWER.--GENERAL BUTLER'S ARGUMENT.--TESTIMONY PRESENTED BY MANAGERS.--ARGUMENT OF JUDGE CURTIS.--THE PRESIDENT'S WITNESSES.-- REJECTION OF TESTIMONY BY SENATE.--TESTIMONY CONCLUDED.--ARGUMENT OF GENERAL LOGAN.--OF MR. BOUTWELL.--OF MR. NELSON.--OF MR. GROESBECK.-- OF THADDEUS STEVENS.--OF THOMAS WILLIAMS.--OF MR. EVARTS.--OF MR. STANBERY.--OF MR. BINGHAM.--TWENTY-NINE SENATORS FILE THEIR OPINIONS.-- FIRST VOTE ON LAST ARTICLE.--GENERAL INTEREST AND EXCITEMENT.--THE RESULT.--ACQUITTAL OF PRESIDENT.--VIEWS OF REPUBLICANS.--CONDEMNATION OF CERTAIN SENATORS.--SUBSEQUENT CHANGE OF OPINION.--THE PRESIDENT UNWISELY IMPEACHED.--ACTUAL OFFENSES OF THE PRESIDENT.--THEIR GRAVITY. --IMPEACHED ON OTHER GROUNDS.--THE REAL TEST.--NATURE OF AN IMPEACHABLE OFFENSE.--LAWYERS DIFFER.--EFFECT ON MR. STANTON.--HIS POLITICAL ATTITUDE.--HIS RESIGNATION.--APPOINTED SUPREME JUSTICE.--HIS DEATH.-- GENERAL SCHOFIELD SECRETARY OF WAR.--MR. EVARTS ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
CHAPTER XV.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION OF 1868.--REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION AT CHICAGO.--GENERAL GRANT THE CLEARLY INDICATED CANDIDATE OF HIS PARTY.-- CONTEST FOR THE VICE-PRESIDENCY.--WADE, COLFAX, FENTON, WILSON, CURTIN. --SPIRITED BALLOTING.--COLFAX NOMINATED.--PLATFORM.--DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.--MEETS IN NEW YORK, JULY 4.--NUMEROUS CANDIDATES. --GEORGE H. PENDLETON MOST PROMINENT.--AN ORGANIZED MOVEMENT FOR CHIEF JUSTICE CHASE.--HIS ALLIANCE WITH THE DEMOCRACY.--HIS EAGERNESS FOR THE NOMINATION.--HIS FRIENDLY RELATIONS WITH VALLANDINGHAM.--PRESIDENT JOHNSON.--SEEKS DEMOCRATIC INDORSEMENT.--MR. AUGUST BELMONT'S OPENING SPEECH.--HORATIO SEYMOUR PRESIDENT OF THE CONVENTION.--HIS ARRAIGNMENT OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.--CHARACTER OF HIS MIND.--THE DEMOCRATIC PLATFORM.--FAVORS PAYING THE PUBLIC DEBT IN PAPER MONEY.--DECLARES THE RECONSTRUCTION ACTS TO BE USURPATIONS.--WADE HAMPTON'S PROMINENCE.-- VARIOUS NAMES PRESENTED FOR THE PRESIDENCY.--VARYING FORTUNES OF CANDIDATES.--SEYMOUR NOMINATED.--THE VICE-PRESIDENCY.--FRANK BLAIR NOMINATED BY ACCLAMATION.--AGGRESSIVE CAMPAIGN OF BOTH SIDES.--MR. SEYMOUR'S POPULAR TOUR.--FINAL RESULT.--GENERAL GRANT'S ELECTION.
CHAPTER XVI.
REPUBLICAN VICTORY OF 1868 ANALYZED.--MR. SEYMOUR'S STRENGTH UNEXPECTEDLY GREAT.--ASTOUNDING DEFECTION OF CERTAIN STATES.-- DEMOCRATIC VICTORY IN NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY, AND OREGON.--EVIL OMENS.-- DEMOCRATIC VICTORY IN LOUISIANA.--WON BY FRAUD AND VIOLENCE.--THE FIGURES EXAMINED.--ACTION OF CONGRESS THEREON.--FRAUD SUSPECTED IN GEORGIA.--DEMOCRATIC DUTY UNPERFORMED.--IMPARTIAL SUFFRAGE.--VARIOUS PROPOSITIONS.--AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION.--MR. HENDERSON OF MISSOURI.--MR. STEWART OF NEVADA.--MR. GARRETT DAVIS.--PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE.--SPEECH OF MR. BOUTWELL.--ANSWERED BY MR. BECK AND MR. ELDRIDGE.--PASSAGE OF AMENDMENT BY HOUSE.--ACTION THEREON IN SENATE.-- AMENDMENT OF MR. WILSON.--PROPOSITION OF MR. MORTON AND MR. BUCKALEW.-- DISAGREEMENT OF THE TWO BRANCHES.--CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.--FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT REPORTED.--PUBLIC OPINION IN THE UNITED STATES.--FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT NOW MODIFIED.--ITS EFFECT AND POTENCY LESSENED.--ITS FAILURE TO REMOVE EVILS.--GREAT VALUE OF THE THREE AMENDMENTS.--THEIR ASSURED ENFORCEMENT.--HONOR TO THEIR AUTHORS.--LESSON TAUGHT BY MR. LINCOLN.-- ITS SIGNIFICANCE.
CHAPTER XVII.
INAUGURATION OF GENERAL GRANT FOR FIRST TERM.--POPULAR ENTHUSIASM.-- HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS.--APPROVES FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.--ANNOUNCEMENT OF HIS CABINET.--GENERAL SURPRISE.--E. B. WASHBURNE.--JACOB D. COX.--E. ROCKWOOD HOAR.--JOHN A. J. CRESWELL.--ALEXANDER T. STEWART.-- INELIGIBLE.--NAME WITHDRAWN.--GEORGE S. BOUTWELL APPOINTED.--ADOLPH E. BORIE.--HAMILTON FISH.--GEORGE M. ROBESON.--GENERAL SCHOFIELD.--GENERAL RAWLINS.--GENERAL BELKNAP.--GENERAL OF THE ARMY.--THE SUCCESSION.-- SHERMAN APPOINTED.--LIEUTENANT-GENERAL.--SHERIDAN APPOINTED.--HALLECK. --MEADE.--THOMAS.--HANCOCK.--CONGRESS CONVENES.--ELECTION OF SPEAKER.-- MR. BLAINE CHOSEN.--MR. KERR THE DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE.--VARIOUS MEMBERS.--MR. WHEELER.--MR. POTTER.--JUDGE NOAH DAVIS.--GENERAL SLOCUM. --MR. HALE.--THOMAS FITCH.--THE PENNSYLVANIA DELEGATION.--MR. S. S. COX.--MR. GEORGE F. HOAR.--NEW ERA POLITICALLY UNDER PRESIDENT GRANT.-- THE OPPOSITION PARTY IN THE HOUSE.--ITS STRONG LEADERS.--THEIR MANLY CHARACTER.
CHAPTER XVIII.
SENATE IN THE FORTY-FIRST CONGRESS.--HANNIBAL HAMLIN ELECTED FOR THE