That which most largely engaged popular attention at the outset was the increased representation which the South was to secure by the manumission of the negroes.

In the original Constitution only three-fifths of the slaves were permitted to be enumerated in the basis of apportionment.

Two-fifths were now added and an increase of political power to the South appeared probably as the somewhat startling result of the civil struggle.

There was an obvious injustice in giving to the white men of the South the right to elect representatives in Congress apportioned to their section by reason of the four and a half million of negroes, who were enumerated in the census but not allowed to exercise any political power.

By permitting this, a Confederate soldier who fought to destroy the Union would be endowed with a larger power of control in the National Government than the loyal soldier who fought to maintain the Union.
To allow this to be accomplished would be a mere mockery of justice, the utter subversion of fair play between man and man.
Another subject deeply engaging Northern thought was the definition of American citizenship.