These would have been mere abstract propositions, with no authority vested in the National Government for their enforcement.
The war for the Union would have been practically a failure.

The South would have gained and secured substantially everything for which it contended except the establishment of an independent government.

The black man, therefore, was the savior of his country, not only on the field of battle, but after the smoke of battle had cleared away.
Notwithstanding the general acceptance of this plan after the Presidential election of 1872, we find that in the fall of 1874 there was a complete and radical change in the situation,--a change both sudden and unexpected.

It came, as it were, in the twinkling of an eye.
It was like a clap of thunder from a clear sky.

It was the State and Congressional elections of that year.
In the elections of 1872 nearly every State in the Union went Republican.