Congress proportionally; it excluded from national and state offices
certain specified Confederate leaders; and it guarded the national debt,
repudiating all indebtedness on behalf of the Rebellion. Every secession
State but Tennessee rejected the amendment.

[1868]

Congress replied by the "iron law" of March 2, 1867. "Secessia" was
divided into five districts and placed under military rule, there to
remain until certain conditions were fulfilled. These conditions were,
in brief, the calling of a state convention by the loyal citizens,
blacks included; the framing by the convention of a constitution
enfranchising negroes; the ratification of this constitution by the
people and its approval by Congress; the ratification of the Fourteenth
Amendment by the new legislature. Having conformed to these
prescriptions the State might be represented in Congress and consider
itself fully restored to the Union. A supplementary law of March 19th
hastened the process by giving the district commanders surveillance of
registration and the initiative in calling conventions.

By June, 1868, a sufficient number of the southern States had complied
with the conditions to make the Fourteenth Amendment law. Virginia,
Mississippi, and Texas held out till 1870, and hence were forced to
ratify the Fifteenth Amendment also. Not till January 30, 1871, were all
the States again represented in both Houses of Congress as in 1860.

[Illustration: Portrait.]
Edwin M. Stanton.

All through the days of congressional reconstruction the antagonism
between President and Congress steadily increased. Every step in the
progress encountered the President's uttermost opposition and spite. He
vetoed all important reconstruction measures, which were promptly
carried over his veto. There was much violent language and bitter
feeling on both sides. The irritation finally culminated when the House
entered articles of impeachment against Johnson--the only case of the
kind in our history involving a President. The charges were tried before
the Senate in March, 1868, the Chief Justice presiding, and occupied
three weeks. William M. Evarts was Johnson's counsel, and a glittering
array of legal talent appeared on both sides. The main charge was that
the President had wilfully violated the Tenure of Office Act in removing
Secretary Stanton from the Cabinet after the Senate had once refused to
concur in his removal. The House was hasty in bringing the prosecution.