His faithlessness to General Scott gave to the Democratic candidate an almost unparalleled victory.

Scott encountered defeat.

Fillmore barely escaped dishonor.
With the ill-fortune of these predecessors fresh in his memory, Mr.
Johnson evidently set out with the full intention not merely of retaining the Cabinet of his predecessor, not merely of co-operating with the party which elected him, but of espousing the principles of its radical, progressive, energetic section.

A Southern man, he undoubtedly aspired to lead and control Northern opinion--the opinion which had displayed the moral courage necessary to the prolonged anti-slavery struggle in Congress, and had exhibited the physical courage to accept the gage of battle and prosecute a gigantic war in support of deep-rooted convictions.

The speeches of the President had defined his position, and the Nation awaited the series of measures with which he would inaugurate his policy.