So strong was the memory of past differences, that old party designations were avoided.
The political organization to which allegiance was demanded was generally called the Conservative party, and the Republican party was universally called the Radical party.

The term Conservative was adopted partly as a contrast, partly because the peace party had been so called during the War, and especially because the name Democrat was obnoxious to so many old Whigs.

It was not until 1906 that the term Conservative was officially dropped from the title of the dominant party in Alabama.
It is not surprising that men continued to turn for leadership to those who had led in battle and, to a less extent, to those who had taken part in the civil government of the Confederacy.

But for the humiliations of Reconstruction, some of these men might have been discredited, but the bitter experiences of those years had restored them to popular favor.

As the Federal soldier marched out of the public buildings everywhere, the Confederate soldier marched in.