Thaddeus Stevens: Reconstruction lead by Congress.
In the spring of 1865 Southern troops surrendered any hope of perpetuating the Confederacy as a nation separate from the United States of America. Federal forces had defeated the Confederacy and the Northern goal of preserving the Union was accomplished. The end of the war posed a number of questions on the distraught nation. The answers to these questions concerning the reconstruction of Southern state governments and their enfranchisement into the Union were not stated in the Constitution, thus the task was not specifically appropriated to a certain branch of government. It seemed as though Lincoln, who had lead the country through the war would continue the task through reconstruction, but upon his untimely assassination circumstances were to change. In the months directly following the South's surrender, the new President Andrew Johnson assumed control of the terms through which the South was to be reinstated. He almost immediately disregarded his dislike for and mistrust of the planter class, and began to pardon and excuse high Confederate officials[1]. He also closed his eyes to the establishment of new Southern institutions, made to take the place of slavery such as black codes and vagrancy laws. The Republican party originally went along with the plan, but once Congress reconvened in December of 1865[2], they realized the direction which Johnson was leading the country and Radical Republicans such as Thaddeus Stevens spoke out. Stevens and others were in favor of Congress controlling the process of reconstruction. Stevens was opposed to Johnson's policies because he felt they were too easy on the South. The fear was that the election of former Confederate leaders would return to Congress and continue the conflict which the country had fought four years to resolve. Stevens wanted the control not to be in the hands of these traitors, but wanted equal representation for all- including the freedmen. To Stevens , the only Republican government was one that included the former slaves.
Thaddeus Stevens Reconstruction Speech- Given to The House of Representatives, December 18, 1865.
Thaddeus Stevens' Reconstruction speech was given to the House, it is important because it emphasizes congress as the body who should control reconstruction. As previously stated, Johnson had originally taken the responsibility for making policy regarding the measures through which the former Confederate states would return to the Union. Congress had been recessed since July and Johnson had already taken many measures with out direct consent from a body of legislators. In the speech Stevens bases his arguments that Congress should take control over admitting the states to the Union because they are conquered territories- " thus new states." Because the Confederacy was actually a separate country, not merely a territory in rebellion, they were conquered territories. Article four of the constitution gives Congress the explicit power for admitting new states. Stevens asserts that military rule, though despotic, is necessary until the states under territorial governments learn the principles of democratic government. This is important because it is radically different than Johnson's liberal policy of letting them rebuild their governments by themselves. This is the first chance that Congress as a governing body was able to protest the lenient measures which Johnson had taken in their absence. It also is a precursor to the growing animosity between Johnson and Stevens. The effects of the speech are not immediate, but Stevens' ideas mentioned therein are to be the ones which set the course which reconstruction will take, being that reconstruction will be the responsibility of the legislative, not executive branch. Stevens also lays down the idea of land distribution to the freedmen, although this policy was never carried through, because Congress did not feel they could justly take property, it shows that Stevens was trying to extend liberty to the freedmen thruogh the distribution of property. The speech is also important because it takes the stance that the South should be punished, not blindly forgiven, and is the sentiment that dominates the reconstruction era.
Letter from James B. Brisbin to Thaddeus Stevens, December 28, 1865
This letter was written after Brisbin, a Union soldier and constituent of Stevens', read Stevens' Reconstruction Speech. He gives his approval for Stevens' reconstruction policies. He is suspect of the South and is upset that high ranking officers of the former Confederacy are being sent to Congress. This is a direct attack on Johnson's policy of forgiving and trying to recreate the government using former rebel leaders. Brisbin is adamant about extending suffrage to the freedmen, and thinks that only through their enfranchisement can an acceptable democratic government be achieved. This letter is also important because it shows the opinion of a Northern soldier who does not want to see the spilling of friends blood as being in vain. The entire North did not take this stance, and it is important to note that Brisbin was an avid abolitionist before the war, but this document is useful because it shows that there was grassroots support for the Radical Republicans.
Letter from The Committee of Correspondence of Virginia's Loyal League to Thaddeus Stevens, December 5, 1865
This letter, sent by Virginia's Loyal league, was written to protest recent elections through which former Confederate leaders were elected. The Loyal League is upset because these former Confederate leaders were using the fact that they fought against the Union as their major platform. These former Confederate leaders were part of the many that had petitioned Johnson for Presidential pardons. This letter shows the flaws of Johnson's reconstruction policies of trusting the Southern states to form their own governments. It also shows that not everyone in the South was opposed to a Radical Reconstruction. These citizens were calling for rule imposed by the Federal government. They think Virginia is not yet ready for the restoration of civil rights, and call for the reinstatement of the military Governor; stating if he is not brought back then "trouble, anarchy, and confusion" will prevail. This letter may have added to Stevens' hard line approach to the South, and his rejection of Johnson's failing policies. It points out the problems with the new Southern governments first hand, and asks for action on the part of Stevens. I do not know if the Loyal League also sent a letter to Johnson, but it is important to note the letter was sent to Stevens, a member of the House, asking for action from him. This may show that the people were dissatisfied with the President's policies and were looking to Congress. Stevens surely would have had this on his mind on December 18 when he made his speech saying that it was Congress, not the president who should preside over reconstruction.
Why these documents were chosen
The documents which the blue group used were chosen on account that they were all important in shaping Stevens' reconstruction policies, especially the notion that Congress should be responsible for admitting the former states, and that Johnson's policies were fundamentally lacking. Other Stevens' documents were left out because they had little or nothing to do with Stevens' reconstruction policies, or were incoherent. Many short documents passed from one Congressman to another were skipped because they had more to do with appropriations of petty funds rather than reconstruction policy. Our group chose documents that were already transcribed from the original script. We thought this was important for the sake of accuracy and completeness. Many of the words written in Stevens' and other's script were indiscernible, and we wanted to transcribe these documents accurately and completely.
[1] William Barney. Passage of the Republic DC Heath and Company: Lexington, 1987. p238.,
[2]James A. Woodburn . The Life of Thaddeus Stevens , Bobbs Merrill Company: Indianapolis, 1913. p340.
(benson/HST41/blue/stevens5.htm)