These candidates were nominated upon a platform which strongly supported and indorsed the Congressional Plan of Reconstruction.
On this issue the two parties went before the people for a decision.

The Republicans were successful, but not by such a decisive majority as in the Congressional election of 1866.

In fact, if all the Southern States that took part in that election had gone Democratic, the hero of Appomattox would have been defeated.

It was the Southern States, giving Republican majorities through the votes of their colored men, that saved that important national election to the Republican party.

To the very great surprise of the Republican leaders the party lost the important and pivotal State of New York.