opinion and in congressional willingness to recognize and embody
it. The logic of events had become more powerful than party creed or
strategy. For fifteen years the Democratic party had stood as sentinel
and bulwark to slavery, and yet, despite its alliance and championship,
the "peculiar institution" was being consumed in the fire of war. It had
withered in popular elections, been paralyzed by confiscation laws,
crushed by executive decrees, trampled upon by marching Union armies.
More notable than all, the agony of dissolution had come upon it in its
final stronghold--the constitutions of the slave States. Local public
opinion had throttled it in West Virginia, in Missouri, in Arkansas, in
Louisiana, in Maryland, and the same spirit of change was upon
Tennessee, and even showing itself in Kentucky. The Democratic party did
not, and could not, shut its eyes to the accomplished facts.

The issue was decided on the afternoon of January 31, 1865. The scene
was one of unusual interest. The galleries were filled to overflowing,
and members watched the proceedings with unconcealed solicitude. "Up to
noon," said a contemporaneous report, "the pro-slavery party are said to
have been confident of defeating the amendment; and after that time had
passed, one of the most earnest advocates of the measure said: "'Tis the
toss of a copper." At four o'clock the House came to a final vote, and
the roll-call showed: yeas, one hundred and nineteen; nays, fifty-six;
not voting, eight. Scattering murmurs of applause followed affirmative
votes from several Democratic members; but when the Speaker finally
announced the result, members on the Republican side of the House sprang
to their feet, and, regardless of parliamentary rules, applauded with
cheers and hand-clappings--an exhibition of enthusiasm quickly echoed by
the spectators in the crowded galleries, where waving of hats and
handkerchiefs and similar demonstrations of joy lasted for several
minutes.

A salute of one hundred guns soon made the occasion the subject of
comment and congratulation throughout the city. On the following night a
considerable procession marched with music to the Executive Mansion to
carry popular greetings to the President. In response to their calls he
appeared at a window and made a brief speech, of which only an abstract
report was preserved, but which is nevertheless important as showing the
searching analysis of cause and effect this question had underg