J.M. Boomall to Thaddeus Stevens, 9 October 1866, "Adams Sentinel". (Wilmington: Scholarly Resources, 1993).
Transcriber: Blake Hunter and Proofreader: Thomas Cullen
This letter showed the problem of getting enough Representatives and Senators to vote for a Reconstruction plan. Also, the central question that was brought up in this letter was should the South and the Representatives of the loyal men of the South, white or black, be allowed to have input in a Reconstruction plan? This question almost split the Republican party with the Congressmen siding with either Bingham or Stevens. This is important because the North and South really did not have a Reconstruction plan for after the war. Some thought that the South should be punished and harsh terms should be given to them for their disloyalty to the United States and the Union. These people did not want to consult the South, but just impose harsh penalties on them. Others, like Lincoln before he was assassinated, thought that the North should help the South rebuild and not impose harsh terms on them. Obviously, these leaders wanted to consult with the South and get suggestions before implementing a Reconstruction plan.
Dear Sir
I have received and read yours of Oct 16th with a good deal of interest and thought much of the plan you propose. If a consultation could be brought about among fifteen or twenty of the radical members and Senators without its appearing that the remainder were excluded I can see that great good might result from it. A caucus with the entire party would result in nothing, as we both well know. Bingham and myself would agree upon nothing. You would help me to disagree. I take it that the inevitable question—whether all the adult males of the South are to be consulted in the reconstruction will find you the leader on one side and Bingham on the other. This question will make the coming political parties and I think it will divide our party in the coming session.
Now if we could get together those who would be upon our side of that question alone I would like it very much but after the first dozen who can tell who they are. Would it not be better if you agree with me in thinking this to be the great question coming for us to communicate by letter with Boutwell, Kelly, Williams, Wilson of Iowa and such others as well feel sure of, and getting an interchange of views without a caucus which if general will amount to nothing and if selected will look like forestalling opinion in the party.
I regret that the public press persisted in putting forth the Constitutional Amendment as the terms of reconstruction. I never assented to that proposition. It will go hard with me to consent to any reconstruction against the will of the loyal men of the South of either race. The amendment is the means of protection of the Government and the North. It will do no good to the loyal majority of the South, three fourths of whom are disfranchised.
Please think of these and write me. If you still think a conference desirable I will yield to your better judgment and aid in bringing it about.
Yours Truly,
J.M. Boomall
(benson/HST41/gold/stevens2.htm)