to the
qualifications of the voter, men make too much account of the head and
too little of the heart. The ballot-box, like God, says: 'Give me your
heart.' The best-hearted men are the best qualified to vote; and, in
this light, the blacks, with their characteristic gentleness, patience,
and affectionateness, are peculiarly entitled to vote. We cannot wonder
at Swedenborg's belief that the celestial people will be found in the
interior of Africa; nor hardly can we wonder at the legend that the gods
came down every year to sup with their favorite Africans."

One of the most statesmanlike proposals was made by Governor John
A. Andrew of Massachusetts. If, forgetting their theories, the
conservatives could have united in support of a restoration conceived in
his spirit, the goal might have been speedily achieved. Andrew demanded
a reorganization, based upon acceptance of the results of the war, but
carried through with the aid of "those who are by their intelligence and
character the natural leaders of their people and who surely will lead
them by and by. These men cannot be kept out forever," said he, "for
the capacity of leadership is a gift, not a device. They whose courage,
talents, and will entitle them to lead, will lead .... If we cannot
gain their support of the just measures needful for the work of safe
reorganization, reorganization will be delusive and full of danger. They
are the most hopeful subjects to deal with. They have the brain and the
experience and the education to enable them to understand... the present
situation. They have the courage as well as the skill to lead the people
in the direction their judgments point.... Is it consistent with reason
and our knowledge of human nature, to believe the masses of Southern men
able to face about, to turn their backs on those they have trusted and
followed, and to adopt the lead of those who have no magnetic hold on
their hearts or minds? It would be idle to reorganize by the colored
vote. If the popular vote of the white race is not to be had in favor of
the guarantees justly required, then I am in favor of holding on--just
where we are now. I am not in favor of a surrender of the present
rights of the Union to a struggle between a white minority aided by
the freedmen on one hand, against the majority of the white race on the
other. I would not consent, having rescued those states by arms from
Secession and rebellion, to turn them over to anarchy and chaos."