line. We
want in the reconstructed Union that there shall be the same
freedom of the press and freedom of speech in the States of the
South that there always has been in the States of the North. Again,
we want the reconstructed Union upon such principles that the men
of the South who, during the war, were loyal and true to the
government, shall be protected in life, liberty, and property, and
in the exercise of their political rights. It becomes the solemn
duty of the loyal victors in the great struggle to see that the men
who, in the midst of difficulties, discouragements, and dangers in
the South were true, are protected in these rights. And, in order
that our reconstruction shall be carried out faithfully and
accomplish these objects, we further want that the work shall be in
the hands of the right men. Andrew Johnson, in the days when he was
loyal, said the work of reconstruction ought to be placed
absolutely in the hands of the loyal men of the State; that rebels,
and particularly leading rebels, ought not to participate in that
work; that while that work is going on they must take back seats.
We want that understood in our work of reconstruction. How
important it is to have the right men in charge of this work
appears upon the most cursory examination of what has already been
done. President Lincoln administered the same laws
substantially--was sworn to support the same constitution with
Andrew Johnson--yet how different the reconstruction as carried out
by these two men. Lincoln's reconstruction in all the States which
he undertook to reorganize gave to those States loyal governments,
loyal governors, loyal legislatures, judges, and officers of the
law. Andrew Johnson, administering the same constitution and the
same laws, reconstructs a number of States, and in all of them
leading rebels are elected governors, leading rebels are members of
the legislature, and leading rebels are sent to Congress. It makes,
then, the greatest difference to the people of this country who it
is that does the work.

This, my friends, brings me to a proposition to which I call the
attention of every audience that I have occasion to address, and
that is this, that until the work of reconstruction is complete,
until every question arising out of the rebellion