Hamilton James Eckenrode

“ The opposition to Pierpont's policy took form even before the June meeting of the legislature. On June 12, 1865, the Republicans of Alexandria formed a political association with S. Ferguson Beach as president. The following resolutions were adopted : (1) "That it was essential to prevent Virginia from coming into the control of the secessionists; 17 (2) that it seemed as if this control might be gained; (3) that the constitution of Virginia should be amended so as to confer the right of suffrage upon, and restrict it to, loyal male citizens without regard to color." ”

“ The election was thoroughly representative of the desires of the people. By the terms of the act of legislature, little restriction was put upon the voters beyond taking the amnesty oath. Consequently the Congressmen and nearly all of the members of the legislature were conservatives.
It was a question now in what manner the Congressmen-elect would be received by Congress. Would they be required to take the test-oath? Many denounced such a procedure as unconstitutional, but the Richmond Whig, while
[28] Alexandria Gazette, November 17, 1865. ”

“ Meetings of citizens were held in various towns to testify to the loyalty of the Virginia people to the Federal government 25 The one in Richmond on August 29, 1865, passed resolutions denouncing " the persistent and wicked efforts of a portion of the press and people of the Northern States to brand the people of the South with perfidy and insincerity ... by questioning their fidelity and truth in the oaths of allegiance which they have taken." 26 Furthermore the course of President Johnson and Governor Pierpont was approved. ”

“ According to President Johnson's plan, the restoration should now have ended. Armed resistance had long ceased in the Southern States ; they were apparently reconciled to their enforced return to the Union ; they were apparently loyal to the Federal government. Representatives had been elected to Congress. All that remained to be done was the acceptance of the new Congressmen by that body, and peace would return again to the stricken States.
But great struggles cannot be so easily composed. The victors do not so readily relinquish their advantages. ”

“ But Pierpont's policy, wise and conciliatory as it was, soon brought him into opposition to his former associates at Alexandria. For the majority of Union men in Virginia, who had supported the Alexandria government, were Republicans of radical tendencies. The strength of the radical party in comparison with the whole number of voters in the State was very insignificant. ”

“ Judge John C. Underwood made the most of the clause, and, under his directions, John Underwood, United States marshal of Eastern Virginia, libeled much property for confiscation. 21 Little came of this action, however, as Johnson opposed a confiscation policy, and, after a time, abandoned the thought of it entirely.
It soon became evident that he wished to restore the Confederate States to their old place in the Union as speedily as possible, and with this assurance the hopes of the Southern people began to rise. ”

“ In the proclamation of December 8, 1863, (1) he offered amnesty to all but specified classes of leading men; (2) declared that a State government might be reconstructed as soon as one-tenth of the voters of 1860, qualified by State laws, "excluding all others," should take the prescribed oath; (3) declared that if such a government was republican in form, it should be benefited by the guarantee clause; (4) excepted ”

“ This was a rather startling declaration, coming as it did from a member of the Alexandria government. But it must be remembered, besides the natural gratification of the little legislature in being recognized, that in June, 1865,
[8] "It is folly," he said, " to suppose that a State can be governed under a republican form of government when in a large portion of the State, nineteen-twentieths of the people are disfranchised and cannot hold office."
[9] Fredericksburg New Era, June 27, 1865.
The President's Attempt at Restoration. 31
no general sentiment in favor of negro suffrage existed. ”