The Chief Justice had been a great Republican leader.

But he had quarrelled with Lincoln, and was an eager aspirant for the Democratic nomination for the Presidency.
Of the eight years after the inauguration of Lincoln more than four had been years of actual war and more than five passed before formal declaration of peace.

During all this time nothing could be considered but the preservation of the Union.

From the end of the War to the accession of President Grant, Congress and the President had been engaged in a struggle with each other for power.

President Johnson had been impeached and put on trial before the Senate.