Thaddeus Stevens to E. McPherson, 10 July 1864.
Transcribed by Alex MacClenahan and reverse-order proofed by Chris Jonas, Furman University, from the Thaddeus Stevens Papers.
Introduction:
Edward McPherson served as Clerk of the House of Representatives from 1863-1875, and as President of the Republican Party at the 1867 national convention. He was a close friend of Thaddeus Stevens, giving the eulogy at Mr. Stevens funeral. After Stevens’ death, McPherson attempted to write a biography of the man using the same letters that are being transcribed here. In this particular letter, Stevens discusses the problems the Republican Congress is having with President Lincoln.
While Lincoln was a Republican President, he was often at odds with Congress over the issue of executive power versus legislative authority. Lincoln was often regarded, by his own party no less, as a simpleton who did not understand the rules of politics. This letter illustrates the dilemma of the Republicans who did not always agree with Lincoln’s political actions. The “infamous proclamation” could be Lincoln’s proclamation issued on July 8, 1864. In said proclamation, Lincoln expresses his unwillingness to declare the new governments of Arkansas and Louisiana null and void. At the same time he claims his wish to adopt a constitutional amendment that abolishes slavery throughout the nation. This proclamation reasserts presidential authority in dealing with reconstruction, a power that Thaddeus Stevens and his Republican cohorts would repeatedly challenge. [1]
I enclose Mr. Wright’s affidavit.
What an infamous proclamation! The Prest. is determined to have the electoral votes of the Seceded States as least of Tenn. Ark. Lou. + Flor. Perhaps also of S. Car. The idea of pocketing a bill and then issuing a proclamation as to how far he will conform to it, is matched only by signing a bill and then sending in a veto. How little of the rights of war and the law of nations our Prest. knows! But what are we to do? Condemn privately and applaud publicly? --The Conscription Act weighs heavily on our people’s judgt, as I expected--
[Enclosed: “On Lincoln + [unclear: Reconstu] Bill]”
(benson/HST41/clear/stevens2.htm)