Such a course in the South might, indeed, open the way for the success of the simple and speedy process of reconstruction, upon which Mr.Seward had staked his reputation as a statesman, and to which Mr.Johnson had pledged the power and committed the fortunes of his Administration.
As soon as the Southern Legislatures assembled, it was made evident that their members disregarded, and even derided, the opinion of those who had conquered the Rebellion and held control of the Congress of the United States.

If the Southern men had intended, as their one special and desirable aim, to inflame the public opinion of the North against them, they would have proceeded precisely as they did.

They treated the negro, according to a vicious phrase which had at one time wide currency, "as possessing no rights which a white man was bound to respect." Assent to the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution by the Southern States was but a gross deception as long as they accompanied it with legislation which practically deprived the negro of every trace of liberty.

That which was no offense in a white man was made a misdemeanor, a heinous crime, if committed by a negro.

Both in the civil and criminal code his treatment was different from that to which the white man was subjected.