In the Constitutional amendment abolishing slavery they went forward without distrust, with complete approbation of conscience, with undoubting belief in the expediency of the act.

They knew that the great mass of the North was heartily opposed to slavery: they knew that its abolition was not merely right but was destined to be popular.

It affected moreover only that great section of country which had engaged in the crime of rebellion; and if it were viewed only as a punishment of those who had sought the destruction of the Government, they felt more than justified in inflicting it.
But the legislation now accomplished was of a different type.

In no State of the North had there ever been social equality between the negro and the white man.

It had been most nearly approached in New England, but still there were points of prejudice which time had not effaced nor custom changed.