The Republicans were resolved that their action should neither be misinterpreted by opposing partisans nor misunderstood by the people.

They were confident that when their position should be correctly apprehended it would still more strongly confirm their claim to be the special and jealous guardians of the Union of the States--of a Union so strongly based that future rebellion would be rendered impossible, the safety and glory of the Republic made perpetual.
[( 1)NOTE .-- The members of the Joint Committee on Reconstruction were as follows:-- _On the part of the Senate_ .-- William P.Fessenden of Maine, James W.
Grimes of Iowa, Ira Harris of New York, Jacob M.Howard of Michigan, George H.Williams of Oregon, and _Reverdy Johnson_ of Maryland.
_On the part of the House_ .-- Thaddeus Stevens of Pennsylvania, Elihu B.Washburne of Illinois, Justin S.Morrill of Vermont, John A.Bingham of Ohio, Roscoe Conkling of New York, George S.Boutwell of Massachusetts, Henry T.Blow of Missouri, _A.

J.Rogers_ of New Jersey, and _Henry Grider_ of Kentucky.].