The tariff and internal revenue.—The depressed condition of business required a revision of the tariff early in 1861, and the duties were made specific instead of ad valorem. In the session of 1863–64 an act was passed, creating a system of “Internal Revenue” to supply the necessities of the treasury. It excited a great deal of ill will and opposition among the people, to whom a government tax was a new exaction.
Emancipation.—On the 22d of September, 1862, Mr. Lincoln issued his first emancipation proclamation, liberating the slaves of all secessionists who failed to return to their allegiance by the close of the year. On the 1st of January, 1863, Mr. Lincoln performed the great act of his life, the issuing of his proclamation of emancipation for all the slaves in the country. The measure was quite unanimously supported by the Republicans, but more or less censured by the Democrats.
Negro soldiers.—On July 17th, 1862, an act was passed by Congress authorizing the enlistment of colored troops. It was opposed by the Democrats.
Freedmen’s Bureau.—At the session of 1864–65, Congress passed an act creating the Freedmen’s Bureau for the protection of freedmen and fugitives, who came north nearly always destitute and helpless. It was strongly opposed by the Democrats and a few Republicans.
Reconstruction.—At the meeting of Congress in 1863, the President presented a plan for readmitting the seceded states to the Union, the substance of which was that the Confederates, on taking an oath which he prescribed, should be restored to all their rights except to slaves; and that when one-tenth of the number voting at the election of 1860 should have taken the oath, and established a state government, it should be recognized by the general government. There was a great deal of opposition to the project among Republicans, and a very different measure was passed by both Houses in July, 1864, but the President withheld his signature, and the bill failed to become a law.
Re-election in 1864.—At the Republican national convention, Baltimore, June 7th, Abraham Lincoln (Ill.) and Andrew Johnson (Tenn.) were nominated. [See D. and Pl.] On the 29th of August, the Democrats nominated George B. McClellan (N. J.) and George H. Pendleton (O.). [See D. and Pl.] The contest was carried on upon issues connected with the war and the relations of parties to it. Mr. Lincoln was elected by 212 electoral votes, to 21 for McClellan.
Assassination of Mr. Lincoln.—On the night of the 15th of April, 1865, Mr. Lincoln was shot in a private box at Ford’s Theatre, Washington City, by John Wilkes Booth, an actor. Mr. Lincoln died the next morning, and was succeeded by the Vice-President.
Johnson’s Administration.
Johnson’s accession.—On his accession to the presidency, President Johnson expressed himself strongly in favor of the punishment of those who had seceded. “The American people must be taught to know that treason is a crime,” he said, and his “past course must be the guaranty of his future conduct.” It was generally believed that his administration would be severe on the confederate states. His views appear to have been modified soon afterward.
Reconstruction.—The President’s opinion of the condition of the seceded states was, that they had never left the Union, and could not, though they had broken their relations with it. All that was necessary to rehabilitate, or “reconstruct,” them, as it was called, was the recognition of the national government. The Republicans in Congress, and throughout the country, dissented from the President’s views, and thought the confederate states should be held in a territorial condition till Congress was satisfied that the rights of the freedmen were safe. The Democrats supported the President. At first, the provisional government and the general tenor of the President’s policy were favored by the Republicans; but a decided difference was developed within the year, and the President and the Republicans finally separated completely. On the 2d of March, 1867, a bill to reconstruct the confederate states was passed over the President’s veto. It divided those states into five military districts, each to be commanded by a general, and governed by civil tribunals, when military commissions were not deemed suitable. The states were allowed representation in Congress, on the formation of a state government by “a convention of delegates, elected by all the citizens of whatever race, color, or previous condition.” This measure was vehemently resisted and denounced by the Democrats. Acts to perfect this system of reconstruction were afterwards passed.
Party changes.—A small number of Republicans adhered to the President after his separation from the party, and, with him, were brought into close connection with the Democrats.
Thirteenth amendment.—The thirteenth amendment of the constitution, abolishing slavery in the United States, went into force December 18th, 1865. It was opposed by the Democrats.
Freedmen’s Bureau.—A bill to enlarge the power of the Freedmen’s Bureau was passed by Congress, and vetoed by the President, February 19th, 1866. It was strenuously opposed by the Democrats.
Civil rights bill.—In March, 1866, a bill was passed to establish and protect the civil rights of the freedmen, making them citizens of the United States, and giving them the right to sue and be sued, to make contracts, and exercise other civil duties, and punishing by fine and imprisonment any one interfering. It was passed over the President’s veto. The Democrats opposed the bill.
Fourteenth amendment.—To assure the civil rights of the freedmen, the fourteenth amendment of the constitution
